New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES)
New CIES is a residence route for eligible applicants who meet the net-asset test, invest at least HK$30 million in the required portfolio and continue to comply with the scheme. We coordinate financial evidence and application stages; the official authorities make every assessment and immigration decision.
Service snapshot
What to expect before you enquire
Best for
Applicants assessing New CIES eligibility, asset evidence and the official investment and immigration process.
- What HKBSCL handles
- Initial process guidance, document coordination and referrals or workstream coordination with the required independent professionals.
- Timing
- There is no single end-to-end approval time. InvestHK and Immigration assess different stages and may request further evidence.
- Fee basis
- Tailored quotation for HKBSCL coordination; CPA, legal, investment, government and third-party charges are separate.The initial scope review is free. We aim to issue a written quotation within two business days after receiving the required information.
- What you receive
- A scoped evidence and process checklist. Legal, investment, immigration and CPA work remains subject to separate professional engagement where applicable.
- What you prepare
- Net-asset statements, ownership and liability evidence, certified copies, valuations where required, identity records and investment documents.
- Who makes the final decision
- InvestHK assesses net assets and investments. The Director of Immigration alone decides entry and stay and retains absolute discretion.
More details
- What you receive
- A scoped evidence and process checklist. Legal, investment, immigration and CPA work remains subject to separate professional engagement where applicable.
- What you prepare
- Net-asset statements, ownership and liability evidence, certified copies, valuations where required, identity records and investment documents.
- Who makes the final decision
- InvestHK assesses net assets and investments. The Director of Immigration alone decides entry and stay and retains absolute discretion.
Your next step
Tell us your nationality or residence status, six-month asset history, intended investment route and target timing. We will identify the official stages and missing evidence.
As at 22 July 2026, nationality and residence-status conditions apply. InvestHK assesses the financial requirements, while the Director of Immigration retains absolute discretion over entry and stay.
Eligibility Requirements
Subject to the provisions of the scheme rules, applicants who meet the following criteria may apply for residence in Hong Kong under the scheme:
Age – Must be at least 18 years old when submitting the application for net asset assessment to InvestHK
Scope – Foreign nationals other than nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea; Chinese nationals with foreign permanent residence; Macao SAR residents; Chinese residents of Taiwan; and qualifying stateless persons with foreign permanent residence and proven re-entry facilities
Net Assets – Absolutely beneficially own net assets or net equity of at least HK$30 million throughout the six months immediately before the Net Asset Assessment application
Investment – As at 22 July 2026, invest HK$30 million: at least HK$27 million in permissible financial assets and/or qualifying real estate, plus HK$3 million in the CIES Investment Portfolio, which has a lock-up and no capital or dividend guarantee. For real estate acquired on or after 17 September 2025, no more than HK$15 million counts in total, including at most HK$10 million residential; a counted residential property must have a transaction price of at least HK$30 million
Good Record – Demonstrate a good immigration record and meet general immigration and security requirements
Other – Demonstrate the ability to support themselves and their dependents (if any) without relying on employment, business, or public assistance in Hong Kong
Application Process
InvestHK assesses the net-asset, investment and portfolio-maintenance requirements. The Immigration Department separately considers the entry permit, extensions and any later unconditional-stay application. Its decision is discretionary, and no end-to-end processing time or approval can be guaranteed.
Net Asset Verification
Apply to InvestHK for verification of net asset requirements
Initial Approval
If Approval-in-Principle is granted, enter Hong Kong as a visitor for up to 180 days to complete the committed investment
Investment Verification
Apply to InvestHK for verification of the investment after completing it
Formal Decision
Submit InvestHK's investment proof to the Immigration Department for its formal decision
Following Formal Approval, the applicant and eligible dependants are normally granted a stay of up to 24 months, subject to the Immigration Department's decision, the scheme conditions and continuing portfolio compliance.
CPA (Practising) Documentation
Applicants must engage, at their own expense, a CPA (Practising) as defined in the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Ordinance (Cap. 588) to prepare the required Fulfillment Documents:
Net Asset Requirements
Confirm absolute beneficial ownership of at least HK$30 million in net assets or net equity throughout the six months immediately before the assessment application.
Investment Requirements
Confirm the HK$30 million investment, including at least HK$27 million in permissible assets and HK$3 million in the CIES Investment Portfolio.
Portfolio Maintenance Requirements
Submit the CPA (Practising) Fulfillment Document and portfolio statement within one month after the first and each later anniversary of Formal Approval.
When preparing compliance documents, the applicant's responsibilities in proving they meet the net asset requirements include:
- Providing a net asset statement showing information about assets or equity owned and related liabilities
- Providing originals/certified true copies of assets or equity and their liabilities
- For assets not traded on public exchanges, providing written valuation reports from appraisers
- Ensuring the Net Asset Assessment Fulfillment Document is issued no more than 14 calendar days before submission
InvestHK may request updated or additional evidence. CPA documentation supports its assessment but does not guarantee certification or immigration approval.
Current Measure Dates
The six-month net-asset test took effect on 1 March 2025. A separate qualifying Hong Kong holding-company route took effect on 1 March 2026 and is subject to detailed conditions.
Six-Month Net Asset Test
- •Applicants must show absolute beneficial ownership of at least HK$30 million in net assets or net equity throughout the six months immediately before the assessment application.
- •The share absolutely beneficially owned by the applicant in net assets jointly owned with family members will also be considered.
Qualifying Holding-Company Route
- •From 1 March 2026, eligible assets may be held through a qualifying Hong Kong incorporated or registered company wholly owned by the applicant and used only for permissible assets; an ordinary wholly owned company does not automatically qualify.
- •The structure must satisfy the official family-owned investment holding vehicle, special purpose entity and eligible single-family-office conditions. Case-specific assessment is required.
Official Resources
Check the latest government and regulatory guidance relevant to this service before making filing, compliance, or planning decisions.
New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme - Official Site
Review the current official eligibility, investment, and application requirements for the New CIES.
Visit official site
New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme - Rules and Documents
Access the official scheme rules, assessment criteria, forms, and supporting documents.
Visit official site
Related services to consider
These links help connect the current topic with nearby company, tax, banking, and compliance support. They are not a substitute for professional advice on your actual circumstances.
Need Assistance with CIES Application?
Contact us to review your New CIES stage, evidence checklist and CPA (Practising) documentation needs. Our coordination does not guarantee InvestHK certification or Immigration Department approval.
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