While already a densely populated region, Hong Kong is taking steps to increase its population to make it more competitive regionally and a way of achieving this is by several immigration programs, one of which is the Capital Entrant Investment Scheme. It is particularly attractive as it is entirely a “hands off” scheme; no active role is necessary for the investor to play and there are several pre approved investment funds which can be selected as the basis for investment. Approval times are relatively quick; once an application is made a  three month visitor visa is granted. Once the investment is up and running and six month residence permit is granted after which two year renewable residency permits are granted. After seven years of continuous residence in Hong Kong the investor may apply for Right of Abode which is akin to the United States’ permanent Residency status; so long as residence in Hong Kong is maintained the person has the right to reside permanently and is entitled to many of the same benefits as holders of Hong Kong S.A.R. passports.  Furthermore those of Chinese nationality may, after seven years ,apply for a Hong Kong S.A.R passport.

Investors are entitled to bring their spouse and dependent children (under the age of 18) and significantly, the dependant spouse is entitled to work in Hong Kong. The minimum investment amount is HK$6,500,000 and the investor must prove that they can support both themselves and dependents without recourse to either the investment return or public funds.

After the expiration of the six month residence permit granted for setting up the investment the applicant is entitled to apply for a Hong Kong I.D. card entitling the holder to health care and education benefits .

All nationals are entitled to apply with the exception of those from Cuba, North Korea, Afghanistan and Albania. Furthermore Chinese nationals (with the ex caption of those from Macau, Taiwan and those holding permanent residence from another country) are presently excluded from the program.

Statistically approval is granted in approximately 60% of cases. The largest group of applicants are Chinese nationals with permanent residence in a foreign country, amounting to 70%of applicants. 20% of applicants are foreign nationals while those from Taiwan and Macau amount to 10% of applicants,

Those investing in property amount for approximately 20% of the amounts invested under the scheme while those investing in specific financial assets (equities, securities, certificates of deposits and eligible collective investment schemes) amount for 80% of the money invested.

The program is appealing to many due to the relative ease of investment and the quick approval time. Unlike through schemes in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, investment in Hong Kong does not put an investor onto the path to Hong Kong Chinese citizenship.

Currently there is no “finder’s fee” in place for finding investors for Hong Kong’s scheme.

Regulations pertaining to the scheme can be found on the Hong Kong Immigration Department’s website at http://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/id(e)968.pdf 

While already a densely populated region, Hong Kong is taking steps to increase its population to make it more competitive regionally and a way of achieving this is by several immigration programs, one of which is the Capital Entrant Investment Scheme. It is particularly attractive as it is entirely a “hands off” scheme; no active role is necessary for the investor to play and there are several pre approved investment funds which can be selected as the basis for investment. Approval times are relatively quick; once an application is made a  three month visitor visa is granted. Once the investment is up and running and six month residence permit is granted after which two year renewable residency permits are granted. After seven years of continuous residence in Hong Kong the investor may apply for Right of Abode which is akin to the United States’ permanent Residency status; so long as residence in Hong Kong is maintained the person has the right to reside permanently and is entitled to many of the same benefits as holders of Hong Kong S.A.R. passports.  Furthermore those of Chinese nationality may, after seven years ,apply for a Hong Kong S.A.R passport.

Investors are entitled to bring their spouse and dependent children (under the age of 18) and significantly, the dependant spouse is entitled to work in Hong Kong. The minimum investment amount is HK$6,500,000 and the investor must prove that they can support both themselves and dependents without recourse to either the investment return or public funds.

After the expiration of the six month residence permit granted for setting up the investment the applicant is entitled to apply for a Hong Kong I.D. card entitling the holder to health care and education benefits .

All nationals are entitled to apply with the exception of those from Cuba, North Korea, Afghanistan and Albania. Furthermore Chinese nationals (with the ex caption of those from Macau, Taiwan and those holding permanent residence from another country) are presently excluded from the program.

Statistically approval is granted in approximately 60% of cases. The largest group of applicants are Chinese nationals with permanent residence in a foreign country, amounting to 70%of applicants. 20% of applicants are foreign nationals while those from Taiwan and Macau amount to 10% of applicants,

Those investing in property amount for approximately 20% of the amounts invested under the scheme while those investing in specific financial assets (equities, securities, certificates of deposits and eligible collective investment schemes) amount for 80% of the money invested.

The program is appealing to many due to the relative ease of investment and the quick approval time. Unlike through schemes in the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, investment in Hong Kong does not put an investor onto the path to Hong Kong Chinese citizenship.

Currently there is no “finder’s fee” in place for finding investors for Hong Kong’s scheme.