Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)

What's the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme?

In October 2003, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) launched the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, which aims to provide eligible persons with opportunities to emigrate to Hong Kong through capital investment of HKD 10 million or above. The scheme allows eligible persons to emigrate to Hong Kong through investment. Investors and members of their families (i.e. spouses and unmarried children under 18 years of age) may apply to become permanent residents of Hong Kong after meeting the requirements of investment management and having ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for seven consecutive years. The Government of HKSAR has suspended the application for the scheme effective January 15, 2015. On October 25, 2023, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, John Lee, published the Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address, in which he announced that the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme would be relaunched. On December 19, 2023, the Government announced the details of the “New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme,” including the eligibility criteria for applications, permitted investment assets, residence permit requirements, etc., with the aim of launching and accepting applications in mid-2024. The Investment Promotion Agency reviews applicants for compliance with net assets and investment requirements, and the Immigration Department approves visa/entry permit, extension of stay, etc.

The Scheme is applicable to

1. foreign nationals

2. Chinese nationals who have obtained permanent resident status in a foreign country

3. Macao Special Administrative Region residents

4. Taiwan residents

Eligibility criteria for applications under the Scheme

1. Applicants must be 18 years or older

2. Applicants must have an absolute beneficial ownership of not less than HK$30 million in net assets (or the equivalent in foreign currency) at all times in the two years prior to filing the application

3. Applicants must invest a minimum of HK$27 million in permitted financial assets and non-residential real estate, and HK$3 million in the new Capital Investment Entrant Scheme Portfolio

Type of permitted investment assets under the Scheme

1. Financial assets

Shares: Shares of companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange traded in Hong Kong dollars or RMB

Bonds:

- Bonds listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange traded in Hong Kong dollars or RMB (including debt instruments issued in Hong Kong by the Ministry of Finance and local people's governments at various levels in Mainland China)

- Bonds denominated in Hong Kong dollars or RMB, including fixed-rate or floating-rate instruments and convertible bonds issued or fully guaranteed by:

a. The Government, foreign exchange funds, Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited, MTR Corporation Limited, Airport Authority Hong Kong and such other corporations, institutions or bodies corporate as may from time to time be designated by the Government as being wholly or partly owned by the Government.

b. Listed companies on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange

Certificates of deposit: Certificates of deposit denominated in Hong Kong dollars or RMB issued by an accredited institution specified in the Banking Ordinance. The certificates of deposit must be purchased not less than 12 months from the due date. The investment amount shall be capped at 10 percent of the minimum investment threshold (i.e., HK$3 million)

Subordinated debts: Subordinated debts issued by an accredited institution in accordance with the Banking (Capital) Rules and denominated in Hong Kong dollars or RMB

Eligible collective investment schemes (CIS):

- Securities and Futures Commission-approved funds (including exchange traded funds) managed by corporations or registered institutions licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission for Category 9 regulated activities (providing asset management)

- Securities and Futures Commission-approved real estate investment trust funds managed by corporations or registered institutions licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission for Category 9 regulated activities

- Securities and Futures Commission-approved investment-linked life insurance plans issued by insurers authorized to engage in linked long-term business as specified in the Insurance Ordinance

- Open fund companies registered under the Securities and Futures Ordinance, and managed by corporations or registered institutions licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission for Category 9 regulated activities

Limited partnership funds: Ownership interest of a limited partnership fund registered in Hong Kong under the Limited Partnership Fund Ordinance

2. Capital Investment Entrant Scheme portfolios: In order to support the innovation and technology industries and other key industries that contribute to the long-term economic development of Hong Kong, new Capital Investment Entrant Scheme portfolios will be established and managed by Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited to invest in the relevant companies/projects related to Hong Kong. Applicants for the new scheme are required to invest HK$ 3 million in their portfolios

FAQs

1. Can an applicant switch between different types of permitted investment assets during the investment period?

The applicant may transfer the investment at will to different categories of permitted investment assets, provided that the full proceeds of the sale of the original assets are reinvested. Applicants are required to record each change in their portfolios for submission when applying for an extension of residence.

2. How many financial intermediaries can an applicant open a “Capital Investment Entrant Scheme” account with?

The applicant may open only one designated account with a financial intermediary for the purpose of buying and selling specified financial assets.

3. Can an applicant come to Hong Kong with dependents?

The applicant may come to Hong Kong with dependents (i.e., the spouse and unmarried and dependent children under 18 years of age) only if the applicant is able to support the livelihood of the dependents and provide accommodation, without relying on any earnings, income from work or public assistance derived from the investment assets permitted in Hong Kong.

The above information is for information only and may be changed by the Immigration Department. For more information on the scheme, please visit the website of the Immigration Department www.immd.gov.hk.

Why CITIC Securities Wealth Management (HK)?

1. Strong background and experience in international investment and financing services

CITIC Securities Wealth Management (HK) is affiliated with one of the biggest integrated enterprises in China. For over a decade, income and net profit ranked high in the industry, with remarkable scale advantages in net capital, net assets and total assets; businesses maintained leadership in the market and accumulated extensive reputation and brand advantages in the domestic market. Over the years, it has won various awards from Asiamoney, Financial Times, Forbes, Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

2. Diversified and high-quality investment advisory services

As a comprehensive, professional and integrated financial service institution based in Hong Kong, deeply rooted in the Mainland, CITIC Securities Wealth Management (HK) also adheres to the "One Client and one CITICS" service philosophy, providing clients with comprehensive and personalized investment consulting services and asset allocation schemes; in addition to wealth management business, it also provides clients with other one-stop diversified financial services that connect with CITIC Securities at home and abroad in terms of individual, family and corporate.

3. Diverse product categories and a wide range of product issuers and counterparties

CITIC Securities Wealth Management (HK) works with 20 bond counterparties and 14 structured product issuers to provide diversified, multi-market asset allocation solutions, and follows the "Best Practice" principle in choosing the best quotation (lowest buying price, highest selling price) for clients in many quotations.

4. Experienced and trusted business philosophy

During the suspension of the Hong Kong Capital Investment Entrant Scheme from January 15, 2015, CITIC Securities Wealth Management (HK) continued to provide professional services to every client until the completion of seven years of investment, providing professional investment and immigration financial intermediary services to more than 100 clients, helping many clients to obtain their Hong Kong permanent resident status.

5. Customized CIES exclusive investment strategy

Based on the background and conditions of capital investors, CITIC Securities Wealth Management (HK) customizes the most suitable investment schemes for clients with different risk preferences and affordability, such as relatively robust stock and debt portfolio or portfolio of stock and debt mixed with funds or full bond or full bond fund portfolios, and regularly tracks and adjusts them to bring excellent risk-adjusted returns to clients while also providing the best service experience.

CITIC Securities Wealth Management (HK) has been cultivating Hong Kong for 25 years as a wealth management platform for CITIC Securities in Hong Kong. It relies on professional services and a strong collaborative network to protect the assets of clients. We provide diversified, multi-market asset allocation solutions, and invest in a variety of asset class services such as funds, trusts, bonds, structural investment products, securities, futures and insurance. We carefully analyze the needs and investment preferences of each client and provide customized services exclusively for clients. Please contact your account manager if you need any help. We will do our utmost to serve you!