• New CIES: For high-net-worth individuals who want to obtain residence in Hong Kong through qualifying investments. There is no requirement to run a business, hire staff, or engage in day-to-day commercial activities. The scheme is designed to attract capital investment, whereas the Investment as Entrepreneurs Visa is intended for people who want to start or operate a business in Hong Kong. After seven years of continuous ordinary residence, successful applicants may be eligible to apply for permanent resident status.
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• Entrepreneur Visa: Entrepreneur Visa: For people who want to actively set up and run a business in Hong Kong. Unlike the New CIES, the focus is not on how much capital you invest, but on whether your business can benefit Hong Kong's economy. This may include creating jobs, generating business activity, attracting investment, or bringing new expertise to the city. After seven years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong, successful visa holders may be eligible to apply for permanent resident status.

• HKD10 million is already a lot of money, but it was within reach for a broader pool of wealthy individuals.
• HKD30 million is a serious commitment.  It’s not just “wealthy”—it’s ultra-high-net-worth territory.

This explains why the number of applications dropped from an average of 2,350 per year under the old scheme to an average of 1,583 per year under the new one. Fewer people can meet the bar, and naturally, fewer people end up submitting the application.

Faster Processing Times

Here’s the silver lining: fewer applicants mean faster processing. Under the old scheme, it could take 10 to 25 months to get approval-in-principle.  That’s basically one to two years of waiting. With the new scheme, the timeline shrinks dramatically to 2 to 4 months.
So yes, the bar is higher, but if you can clear it, you’ll get through the system much faster. That’s a big deal for investors who value efficiency.

InvestHK’s New Role

Another interesting change is the involvement of InvestHK, the government agency responsible for attracting foreign investment. Under the old scheme, InvestHK had no role. Now, they’re tasked with conducting an assessment of the applicant’s assets through the inclusion of, amongst other documents, a licensed Hong Kong CPA issued-report in the application document checklist.
This adds a layer of scrutiny and professionalism.  It’s not just about showing you have the money, it’s about proving the legitimacy and stability of your assets.

One of the more surprising updates is the inclusion of residential properties. Under the old scheme, buying a house or apartment hasn’t been counted as a permissible investment since 2010.  Now, it does—but with a catch.

• Single-property rule: Only one property can be purchased under the scheme.
• Minimum threshold: The transaction must exceed HKD30 million.
• Counting cap: Regardless of the purchase price, only HKD10 million of the transaction will count toward the scheme.

The New CIES is not intended to be a mass-market residence-by-investment programme. By setting the threshold at HKD30 million, Hong Kong has positioned the scheme as a premium offering aimed at high-net-worth individuals globally.
While the higher entry requirement naturally reduces the number of eligible applicants, it also enhances the programme's prestige. For investors who meet the threshold, exclusivity can be an attraction in itself.

The New CIES is tailored for a particular class of investor: globally minded individuals and families seeking a premium gateway to Hong Kong through capital investment.
For entrepreneurs eager to build businesses and drive innovation, the entrepreneur visa remains a compelling route.  For high-net-worth individuals focused on wealth preservation, portfolio diversification and strategic positioning, the New CIES offers an enticing pathway to establish a presence in one of Asia’s leading financial centres.
More than an immigration programme, the New CIES reflects Hong Kong’s appeal as a nexus of capital, commerce and opportunity.  It is an invitation to sophisticated investors to gain a foothold in a world-class commercial centre while participating in the city’s next chapter of growth and glory.