Hong Kong Updates Investment Rules for Holding Companies

Hong Kong has streamlined its New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES) to provide more flexibility for high-net-worth individuals. Effective March 1, 2026, investors can now use private holding companies for their HK$30 million qualifying investments without the previous six-month incorporation requirement. This change allows for immediate asset structuring through Family-owned Investment Holding Vehicles (FIHVs), making it easier to manage wealth while securing residency.

The program requires a total investment of HK$30 million, with HK$27 million allocated to financial assets like equities or bonds and HK$3 million directed toward local innovation and technology sectors. Successful applicants receive an initial stay of up to 24 months, followed by extensions of up to three years each. After seven years of continuous ordinary residence, investors may apply for permanent residency.

Who is affected

This update primarily benefits wealthy digital nomads, expats, and family offices who want to base themselves in a low-tax jurisdiction without the need for local employment. The scheme is ideal for those who maintain global mobility but want a stable, territorial-tax-compliant hub. Dependents, including spouses and unmarried children under 18, are also covered under the application.

What to do

Applicants must submit their paperwork through the Immigration Department using form ID(E)967 or the online portal. You will need to prove your net assets and commit to the investment through a single financial intermediary. While there is no requirement to "top up" if your portfolio value falls, you cannot withdraw capital gains.

To use the new holding company rules, the entity must be Hong Kong-incorporated and wholly owned by the applicant. These vehicles must also meet specific substance requirements, such as employing at least two full-time staff in Hong Kong and incurring at least HK$2 million in annual operating costs. Check the latest nomad news to stay informed on processing times.

For entry rules and living costs, see the Hong Kong guide.

Correction, Oct. 1, 2026: An earlier version of this article gave the New CIES initial stay as 36 months, renewable in a 3+3+2 year sequence, and said permanent residency brings visa-free access to more than 170 countries. When this article was published, entrants received an initial stay of up to 24 months followed by extensions of up to three years each, and permanent residency alone does not bring an HKSAR passport, which only Chinese citizens can hold.