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A man is chatting happily with his wife; image used in CIES

Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)

What is CIES?

CIES is a migration scheme offered by The Government of the Hong Kong SAR. It enables eligible persons to migrate to Hong Kong through capital investment in the form of financial assets. The scheme has not been open for new applications since 15 January 2015, but is still relevant for persons who successfully applied for it prior to the suspension date.

HSBC Broking is a leading and experienced portfolio maintenance service provider, facilitating thousands of families to settle in Hong Kong since the scheme's inception in 2003. We offer one-stop solutions to investment in permissible financial assets, statutory reporting to the Immigration Department, and referrals to other professional services as needed.

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About CIES

The CIES is a migration scheme introduced by The Government of the Hong Kong SAR in 2003 to facilitate the entry for residence by capital investment entrants who need not to be engaged in business operation. The scheme enables eligible persons migrate to Hong Kong by investing not less than HKD10,000,000 in Permissible Investment Assets. After fulfilling the Portfolio Maintenance Requirements and seven years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong, the entrants and their dependents may apply to become permanent residents of Hong Kong.

The scheme has been suspended for new application by The Government of the HKSAR with effect from 15 January 2015.

Scope of the Scheme

The scheme is applicable to:

  • Foreign nationals (except Afghanistan, Cuba and North Korea)
  • Macau SAR residents
  • Chinese nationals with permanent resident status in a foreign country
  • Stateless persons with permanent resident status in a foreign country
  • Taiwan residents

Eligible Criteria

The scheme is applicable to:

  • Aged over 18
  • Have net assets over HKD10,000,000 in the past two years
  • Invest not less than HKD10,000,000 in Permissible Investment Assets
  • Have no adverse record
  • Able to support the migrant and his dependents living in Hong Kong

Permissible Investment Asset Classes

  • Stocks please click here 
  • Debt securities please click here
  • Certificates of deposits (customers must first obtain Approval-in-Principle) please click here
  • Eligible Collective Investment Schemes

Portfolio Maintenance Requirements

  • No need to top up
  • Cannot withdraw capital gains
  • Can switch between Permissible Investment Assets
  • Must invest continuously for 7 years

HSBC Broking scope of services

Investment services in Permissible Investment Assets

Reporting to the Hong Kong SAR Immigration Department

Referral to The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited for banking services

Disclaimer

The information provided herein is intended as a general guide for reference. For more information, please visit the website of the Immigration Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government at http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/capital_investment_entrant_scheme.html or call HSBC Broking at (852) 2521 1661.

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