A simple introduction to what a family office is, why families use one, and how Hong Kong fits into long-term family wealth governance.
A family office is a private coordination hub for one family. It helps organise ownership records, investment reporting, decision-making, succession planning, philanthropy, and day-to-day administration. It is not one fixed legal product; it can be a small coordination setup or a more formal structure with companies, investment vehicles, staff, and external advisers.
Family governance
Investment oversight
Succession and administration
A family office can help consolidate scattered information into one working view for the family and its advisers.
Decision rights, signing authority, meeting notes, ownership records, and reporting routines become easier to follow.
Banks, trustees, investment managers, accountants, lawyers, and companies can work from cleaner instructions and documents.
The structure supports succession, education of younger family members, philanthropy, and multi-year planning.
These official regimes may become relevant after a family understands the family office concept, but they are not the definition of a family office.
Hong Kong does not have one simple law saying a family office must start with HK$200 million. Practical thresholds usually come from banks, intermediaries, operating cost, licensing, tax, or immigration rules.
The standalone FIHV/SFO tax concession is a separate framework. Qualifying profits may enjoy a 0% profits tax rate if ownership, Hong Kong management/control, substance, eligible SFO management, and the HK$240 million Schedule 16C asset threshold are met.
New CIES is an immigration/residency route for eligible asset owners. It does not require a family office, and using a family office-style structure does not remove the HK$30 million investment requirement.
For New CIES, eligible assets may be held personally or through a qualifying Hong Kong private holding company. If the family office FIHV/FSPE route is used, extra substance and SFO-management requirements apply.
The family office tax concession has no mandatory local investment requirement. New CIES counted assets must instead follow the scheme’s permissible asset, designated account, timing, and reporting rules.
Hong Kong has no single “family office licence”, but regulated activities can still trigger SFC licensing. The structure should be checked with legal, tax, CPA, and investment advisers.
This page is general information only. It is not legal, tax, investment, immigration, or regulated financial advice. Rules, caps, accepted assets, licensing treatment, and verification practice can change; confirm the latest official position and obtain professional advice before acting.
Use these official sources for the current rule text before making decisions.
Contact us to learn more about the basic company, record-keeping, governance, and official requirement topics that may be relevant to a Hong Kong family office discussion.
Contact us to learn moreUse these related services and updates to plan your next compliance, setup, tax, or accounting step.
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For filing deadlines, statutory requirements, and immigration rules, confirm the latest details with the relevant Hong Kong authorities.
