Moving Your Business to Hong Kong: Visa Routes for Founders and Investors

This guide covers the 1 verified route for founders and investors moving a business to Hong Kong. Every figure comes from our program review dated September 15, 2026. Rules change often, so treat this as a starting point and confirm the details with an expert before you commit money or time.

New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES)

The New CIES requires a total qualifying investment of HK$30 million: HK$27 million in permissible financial assets or real estate (real estate capped at HK$10M, with a HK$50M+ threshold for a single property) plus HK$3 million into the CIES Investment Portfolio. This is fundamentally a passive investment scheme, not a founder or entrepreneur route — no active business operation is required. Enhanced measures effective March 1, 2025 shortened the net-asset holding period to 6 months and now allow jointly-owned and company/fund-held assets to count toward the threshold.

Who it suits: High-net-worth individuals with HK$30M+ net assets seeking passive-investment residency — not active founders. Minimum investment: HK$30,000,000 total (HK$27M permissible assets + HK$3M CIES Investment Portfolio). Active involvement: No — passive investment scheme. What you receive: Entry/stay permit, renewable; pathway to unconditional stay. Family: Yes. Path to permanent residence: Conditional — permanent residence after 7 years of ordinary residence under general Hong Kong rules.

Worth knowing: This is a passive investment scheme. It is not a route for founders or start-ups.

This guide is directional guidance only and is not legal or immigration advice. A consulting session will tell you which route fits your business and what to prepare first.