Hong Kong’s revived Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) is proving a magnet for high-net-worth migrants. Delivering a policy update to legislators on 2 March 2026, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui confirmed that 3,166 applications have been lodged since the programme’s restart in March 2024, representing projected investments of about HK$95 billion (US$12.1 billion). Under the CIES, applicants who inject at least HK$25 million into approved assets—including SFC-authorised funds, Hong Kong-listed shares and non-residential property—receive a multi-year visa that can lead to permanent residency.
![Capital-Investor visa draws HK$95 billion as Hong Kong links immigration and finance]()
Prospective applicants who want to streamline the paperwork and avoid common pitfalls can turn to VisaHQ, which provides comprehensive assistance for Hong Kong immigration matters, including the CIES. From checking eligibility and compiling financial proofs to submitting forms and tracking progress, VisaHQ’s online platform and global support team make the process faster and more predictable; more information is available at https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/
Immigration Director Benson Kwok told the media that his department has set up a dedicated processing unit with Invest HK to shorten turnaround times to as little as eight weeks, down from six months under the scheme’s 2003-2015 incarnation. Around 38 percent of verified capital has flowed into regulated funds, with a further 29 percent channelled into equities. The government hopes the policy will convert Hong Kong into Asia’s family-office hub, a goal underscored by new tax concessions and plans to admit 220 additional single-family offices by 2028. For employers the programme offers a supplementary route for senior executives who prefer an investment-led residency pathway rather than an employment contract tied to a single entity. Mobility advisors note that the HK$25 million threshold is significantly lower than the A$5 million required for Australia’s dormant SIV and below Singapore’s S$10 million family-office option, making Hong Kong regionally competitive. Action point: companies courting C-suite hires from mainland China should consider packaging the CIES as part of remuneration, as the investment can sit in approved fund structures rather than illiquid property holdings.
Prospective applicants who want to streamline the paperwork and avoid common pitfalls can turn to VisaHQ, which provides comprehensive assistance for Hong Kong immigration matters, including the CIES. From checking eligibility and compiling financial proofs to submitting forms and tracking progress, VisaHQ’s online platform and global support team make the process faster and more predictable; more information is available at https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/
Immigration Director Benson Kwok told the media that his department has set up a dedicated processing unit with Invest HK to shorten turnaround times to as little as eight weeks, down from six months under the scheme’s 2003-2015 incarnation. Around 38 percent of verified capital has flowed into regulated funds, with a further 29 percent channelled into equities. The government hopes the policy will convert Hong Kong into Asia’s family-office hub, a goal underscored by new tax concessions and plans to admit 220 additional single-family offices by 2028. For employers the programme offers a supplementary route for senior executives who prefer an investment-led residency pathway rather than an employment contract tied to a single entity. Mobility advisors note that the HK$25 million threshold is significantly lower than the A$5 million required for Australia’s dormant SIV and below Singapore’s S$10 million family-office option, making Hong Kong regionally competitive. Action point: companies courting C-suite hires from mainland China should consider packaging the CIES as part of remuneration, as the investment can sit in approved fund structures rather than illiquid property holdings.
