I come from Hong Kong and is also a practising lawyer in Hong Kong. I noted that some posts about immigration are related to immigration to Hong Kong but most of it are not adequately replied. Here I write out certain basic knowledge to immigration to Hong Kong.
Scheme name :
Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)
Who can apply?
1. foreign nationals (except nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and Democratic People's Republic of Korea);
2. Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) residents;
3. Chinese nationals who have obtained permanent resident status in a foreign country;
4. stateless persons who have obtained permanent resident status in a foreign country with proven re-entry facilities; and
5. Taiwan residents.
Eligibility Criteria:
1. be aged 18 or above when applying for entry
2. have net assets of not less than HK$10 million to which he is absolutely beneficially entitled throughout the two years preceding his application;
3. have invested within six months before submission of his application to the Immigration Department, or will invest within six months after the granting of approval in principle ("Approval-In-Principle") by the Immigration Department;
4. have no adverse record both in Hong Kong and country/region of residence;
5. be able to demonstrate that he is capable of supporting and accommodating himself and his dependants.
What to invest?
You may only invest in the Permissible Investment Assets
1. Equities - shares of companies that are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and traded in Hong Kong dollars;
2. Debt securities - convertible bonds issued by the Government or the Hong Kong listed companies
3. Certificates of Deposits - denominated in Hong Kong dollars
4. Subordinated debt - denominated in Hong Kong dollars
5. Eligible Collective Investment Schemes, i.e. specified funds or insurance
Investment period:
7 years
Residence requirement:
You simply need to enter Hong Kong once for every half year to satisfy the relevant law.
Interview:
Not required
Process:
Application (Day 1) -> Obtain application number (Day 60) -> Approval-In-Principle (3 months visa and renewable for another 3 months) (Day 240 - Day 300) -> Completion of investment (max. Day 420 - 480, it depends on how fast you invest but you must invest before the end of Day 420 - Day 480) -> Formal Approval (2 years visa and renewable for another 2 years)(before Day 600) -> Obtain Hong Kong Identity Card and become permanent resident (after 7 years)
These are the basic things you need to know if you intend to migrate to Hong Kong.
You may ask any question relating to Hong Kong immigration in this post. If anyone need a lawyer to assist in the application, you are welcomed to engage me
