Alongside Singapore and Tokyo, Hong Kong is one of Asia’s largest financial centers. That’s what makes it worth investing in Hong Kong Residence by Investment. In 2026, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) offers several residency pathways for qualified investors. These include:
- The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme
- The Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)
- The General Employment Policy (GEP)
- Investment as Entrepreneurs
- The New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (NEW CIES)
After 7 years of residency, investors can be eligible for permanent residence status in Hong Kong.
Key Benefits of Hong Kong Residence by Investment Program
- Through your Hong Kong residency, you will have the right to live, work, and study in Hong Kong.
- Hong Kong has a favorable tax regime. There is no capital gains tax, no VAT/sales tax, no withholding tax on dividends or interest, and no estate duty. Additionally, it adopts a territorial tax system, meaning that your foreign income is not subject to taxation in Hong Kong. Only your income earned in Hong Kong is subject to tax, which is, in most cases, relatively low.
- Many multinational corporations use Hong Kong as their regional headquarters or financing center.
- Perhaps Hong Kong’s biggest advantage is its unique relationship with China. Investors gain access to Chinese companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
- Hong Kong uses English common law, and its currency has been pegged to the US dollar at a rate of HKD 7.80 to USD 1.
- The country’s GDP per capita remains high by global standards, at $59,640 in 2026, ranking 28th among major economies and territories.
- There is no residency requirement for Hong Kong residency by investment. However, if your aim is to obtain permanent residency, you must have lived in Hong Kong for at least 7 years.
Who is Eligible to Apply for Hong Kong Residency by Investment?
Although it depends on the chosen residency path, Hong Kong authorities will typically ask you to meet the following normal immigration requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be financially self-sufficient, with enough resources to support yourself and any dependants.
- Have good character. In other words, have a clean criminal record.
- Have appropriate qualifications, usually a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. In special cases, strong technical qualifications, professional skills, or significant achievements may be accepted instead.
Citizens of Afghanistan, Cuba, and North Korea are not allowed to apply for this program.
Eligible Family Members
- Your legally recognized spouse
- Your partner (including certain same-sex and opposite-sex marriages, civil partnerships, or civil unions)
- Your unmarried dependent children under 18 years of age.
1. The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme
The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme is designed to encourage highly skilled and talented people to move to Hong Kong and draw foreign capital. To apply for this program, you do not need to make a qualifying investment like in any other Golden Visa program. Plus, you do not need to have a job offer before applying.
Application process for the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme
First, you must meet the basic requirements we stated above. Then you should choose an assessment route. You can go for one of the following:
- General Points Test: You must satisfy at least 6 of 12 criteria covering factors such as age, education, language proficiency, work experience, income, and business ownership.
- Achievement-based Points Test: This route is for individuals with exceptional international achievements, such as recipients of prestigious global awards or those who have made significant, internationally recognized contributions to their field.
Then, your application will be reviewed, and if you are successful, you will receive an electronic visa allowing you to stay in Hong Kong. If your application is approved, you can apply for your dependents to accompany you. Their permission to stay will usually last as long as yours.
2. The Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)
The Top Talent Pass Scheme is a residency program that aims to grant residency rights to talented, high-income individuals with extensive work experience and strong academic qualifications to help them discover opportunities in the HKSAR. To apply, you do not need to find a job in Hong Kong; you can search for one later.
There are three categories for successful applicants, and the eligibility criteria are:
- Category A: You must have at least HK$2.5 million at least 12 months before you apply. This income must have been generated from employment or business activities, not investment.
- Category B: This option is for experienced graduates from Hong Kong’s eligible universities list. You must apply for it within 5 years of graduation and must have at least 3 years of work experience.
- Category C: Similar to Category B, you must have graduated from an eligible university. At the time of your application, you must have no more than 3 years of experience within 5 years. However, this category is subject to a quota.
Category A grants 36 months of residency, while B and C give 24 months.
3. The General Employment Policy (GEP)
For employees who have found a job in Hong Kong and want to immigrate to Hong Kong, the General Employment Policy gives residency rights. So, you must provide proof that an employer has hired you, and that your position cannot be filled by a local employee.
4. Investment as Entrepreneurs
If you establish a business in Hong Kong, or join in an established business as a partner, director or owner, you can be eligible for applying for Investment as Entrepreneur, also known as Hong Kong Entrepreneur Visa.
There is no minimum investment requirement for this category; however, your business must support Hong Kong’s economy. To support that, in your application you must provide a 3-year business plan covering your business activities, growth plans, planned hires, and financial forecasts. Additionally, you must provide documentation, including your bank statements and funding sources, to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to operate your business.
Additionally, it is important to highlight that Hong Kong welcomes startups, especially when they are supported by government programs, including:
- InvestHK StartmeupHK
- Hong Kong Science Park
- Cyberport
- Innovation & Technology Commission programs
5. The New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (NEW CIES)
Among all residency visas, the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme is much closer to Golden Visa programs in Europe as it gives residency by investment. It is best for investors who want to get residency in Hong Kong in exchange for an investment. However, unlike Golden Visa programs, it does not require any real estate investment.
You can qualify for this visa with HK$30 million (approximately US$3.8 million) in net assets or net equity, for at least 6 months before you apply. Once your financial sources are approved, you can be eligible to invest in permissible investment assets in Hong Kong.
The process follows:
- You first apply to Invest Hong Kong to prove your source of funds. Once they approve, you will receive a certificate.
- In the second stage, you must apply to the Immigration Department (ImmD). They will evaluate your application; if you are eligible, you will receive approval in principle.
- Upon approval in principle, you need to visit Hong Kong. There, you will have 180 days to complete your investment to permissible investment assets.
- Once InvestHK confirms that your investment has been made, they will issue you an initial residency card, which is typically for 24 months.
How to Apply for Hong Kong Residence by Investment?
Although the application process depends on the path that you choose, typically the process goes as follows.
Step 1: Decide on the Residency Type You Qualify for
This is the initial, and at the same time, the most important step in your journey to become a Hong Kong resident. It will shape your way to get a residency, the required documents, and qualifications too.
So, at this stage, first observe which type of residency you are suitable for, in line with your expectations.
Step 2: Gather the Necessary Documents
This is the stage at which most applicants separate. Although most personal documents are the same, each residency type requires different preparation.
Below you will find the list of the required documents for each one.
Step 3: Make your Application and Undergo Assessment
After you gather your documentation, you can move to the application stage. At this step, the government authorities will check your eligibility for the residency type you applied for.
Step 5: Get your Approval
If you qualify for Hong Kong residency, you will receive your approval. Upon approval, you can visit Hong Kong to establish your residency.
Is it Possible to Get Hong Kong Citizenship by Investment?
Actually, there is no program that offers Hong Kong citizenship by investment. However, investors can be granted residency first, and after 7 years of continuous ordinary residence, they may be eligible for Hong Kong permanent residence status.
As Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China, you can only grant Hong Kong passport through naturalization as a Chinese citizen. After you get your permanent residency in Hong Kong, you can apply for Naturalization as a Chinese citizen.
However, most investors stay as Hong Kong permanent residents, as Chinese law does not recognize dual citizenship. So, if you want to obtain Hong Kong citizenship, you must renounce your original citizenship.
Tax Implications of Living in Hong Kong
Hong Kong operates a territorial tax system. Therefore, it only taxes income generated in Hong Kong. So, your income generated in a foreign country is not subject to taxation. Additionally, there is no capital. gains tax, VAT, dividend tax, inheritance tax, or real estate tax.
Typically, if you are earning income from your employment in Hong Kong, you pay salaries tax on your employment income. This is calculated using either progressive tax rates or standard tax rates. Progressive tax rates start at 2%- 7% on net chargeable income. If the progressive tax rates are higher, the standard rate applies on net income around 15%-16%. However, there is a 60-day rule you should know. If you spend 60 days or fewer in Hong Kong, you are exempt from paying taxes.
| Progressive Rates | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| 1 – 50,000 | 2% |
| 50,001 – 100,000 | 6% |
| 100,001 – 150,000 | 10% |
| 150,001 – 200,000 | 14% |
| Above 200,000 | 17% |
| Standard Rates | |
|---|---|
| Net Income | Tax Rate |
| First HK$5,000,000 | 15% |
| Remainder | 16% |
If you have a business or generate income from your self-employment in Hong Kong, your income is also subject to Profit tax. Hong Kong operates two tiers for it. For corporations, the first HK$2 million is taxed at 8.25%, while the remaining income is taxed at 16.5%. For unincorporated businesses, the first HK$2 million is taxed at 7.25%, while the remaining income is taxed at 15%.
Get Golden Visa: Your Guide to Residency & Citizenship
Get Golden Visa is a global mobility firm that has provided assistance with 16 residency and citizenship-by-investment programs since 2014. We assist individuals in obtaining dual residency and citizenship by facilitating the necessary investments, whether in real estate, funds, or other financial ventures.
Reach out to our team to discover your options.
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FAQs on Hong Kong Residency by Investment
What is the 3-year rule for Hong Kong PR?
The 3-year rule means that if you hold permanent residency in Hong Kong as a non-Chinese national, you must not live outside the country for more than 36 months. If you do so, you may lose your Right of Abode, permanent residency status.
Can a US citizen live in Hong Kong?
As a US passport holder, you have visa free access to Hong Kong. You can only visit Hong Kong for short stays up to 90 days in 180 days. If your aim is to stay longer than that, you can consider applying for the above-mentioned residency options.
Is it hard to get permanent residency in Hong Kong?
No, it is not hard to get permanent residency in Hong Kong for foreign nationals. It only requires seven years of continuous legal residency.
