Hong Kong New CIES 2026: What Are Permissible Investments and Maintenance Rules?

According to the Hong Kong Immigration Department’s New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme Frequently Asked Questions page, the list of permissible investment assets and the portfolio maintenance requirements are not set out in the FAQ itself. They are specified in the Rules for the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (“New Scheme Rules”), and Invest Hong Kong (“InvestHK”) is the department that verifies whether an applicant has fulfilled the Net Asset Requirement, the Investment Requirements and the Portfolio Maintenance Requirements. For readers weighing residency-by-investment options, the practical point is that the asset classes and maintenance tests live in the Rules, while InvestHK supplies the verification that the Immigration Department (“ImmD”) relies on.

Where does the official list of permissible investment assets come from?

The FAQ answer on permissible investment assets is deliberately short: it directs readers to the New Scheme Rules for details and repeats that InvestHK verifies the Net Asset Requirement, Investment Requirements and Portfolio Maintenance Requirements. The FAQ does not set out the asset classes themselves, so the detailed breakdown has to be read from the Rules and, where published, from InvestHK’s own materials. This article is for general reference only and is not personalised professional advice; because the detailed list sits in the Rules, you should rely on the official Rules and, where needed, qualified professional advice for your specific situation.

Who verifies the investments and the portfolio maintenance rules?

InvestHK handles the financial verification; ImmD handles the immigration decision. InvestHK first verifies the Net Asset Requirement and issues a Certifying Proof for Fulfillment of Net Asset Requirement. After the committed investment is made, InvestHK verifies the Investment Requirements and issues a Certifying Proof for Fulfillment of Investment Requirements. Later, for maintenance, InvestHK verifies continuous compliance with the Portfolio Maintenance Requirements and issues the corresponding certifying proof, while ImmD grants the visa, permission to stay, extensions and unconditional stay.

What are the investment amount and net asset test behind the scheme?

The committed investment must be not less than HK$30 million net in permissible investment assets, made on or after the New CIES launch date. An applicant must also demonstrate to InvestHK’s satisfaction net assets or net equity of not less than HK$30 million throughout the six months before lodging the Net Asset Assessment application; both thresholds can be met in foreign currency equivalents. Once approval-in-principle is given, ImmD will grant a visa/entry permit for entering Hong Kong on visitor status for not more than 180 days for making the committed investment; after the investment is completed, InvestHK verifies the Investment Requirements and issues a Certifying Proof for Fulfillment of Investment Requirements, and on formal approval ImmD normally grants permission to stay for not more than 24 months on time limitation only, subject to the entrant continuing to satisfy the requirements of the New CIES throughout this period.

How is portfolio maintenance checked before an extension of stay?

The FAQ does not restate the maintenance tests, but it sets out the check that triggers an extension. An applicant must approach InvestHK not earlier than three months before the limit of stay expires — 24 months on first entry, or 36 months after an extension — to verify continuous compliance with the Portfolio Maintenance Requirements. InvestHK then issues a Certifying Proof for Fulfillment of Portfolio Maintenance Requirements. The applicant and any dependants must apply to ImmD for extension before the limit expires, even if the proof has not yet been issued, and ImmD will decide the application; if it is satisfied, an extension of not more than three years is normally granted.

How does the seven-year unconditional stay check work?

For unconditional stay, InvestHK verifies continuous compliance with the Portfolio Maintenance Requirements across the seven-year period and issues a certifying proof, informing ImmD of the result. An applicant may apply for unconditional stay at the end of the seventh year, provided he or she has been approved for permission to stay under the New CIES for at least seven years and holds valid residence status on the date of application. ImmD then assesses the application from immigration perspectives; unconditional stay permits entry and stay in Hong Kong without any condition or limit of stay.

Can I dispose of the permissible investment assets afterwards?

If an entrant successfully becomes a Hong Kong permanent resident, he or she is free to dispose of the permissible investment assets, subject to the terms and conditions of the underlying investments. If the entrant does not become a permanent resident but has fulfilled the Portfolio Maintenance Requirements for not less than seven years, he or she may apply for unconditional stay after the end of the seventh year and, once granted, may dispose of the assets on the same underlying-investment terms. Seven years of meeting the financial requirements does not by itself grant permanent residence; the right of abode depends on the ordinary residence requirement and other requirements under the Immigration Ordinance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find the official list of permissible investments under Hong Kong’s New CIES?

The Immigration Department FAQ directs readers to the New Scheme Rules for the detailed list of permissible investment assets. The FAQ itself does not repeat the list, so the Rules are the authoritative source. InvestHK is the department that verifies whether an applicant’s holdings satisfy the Investment Requirements.

Which body checks that I still meet the portfolio maintenance rules?

InvestHK verifies continuous compliance with the Portfolio Maintenance Requirements and issues a Certifying Proof for Fulfillment of Portfolio Maintenance Requirements. The Immigration Department then handles the resulting extension-of-stay or unconditional-stay application. An applicant must approach InvestHK not earlier than three months before the current limit of stay expires.

How much must be invested, and how long are net assets assessed?

An applicant must make a committed investment of not less than HK$30 million net in permissible investment assets on or after the scheme’s launch date. The applicant must also show net assets or net equity of not less than HK$30 million throughout the six months before the Net Asset Assessment application. Both amounts are measured net and may be held in foreign currency equivalents.

What proof is needed to extend stay under the New CIES?

An applicant needs a Certifying Proof for Fulfillment of Portfolio Maintenance Requirements from InvestHK, obtained by applying not earlier than three months before the limit of stay expires. The applicant and any dependants must still apply to ImmD for extension before that expiry, even if the certifying proof has not yet been secured. ImmD decides the application and normally grants an extension of not more than three years if satisfied.

Can I sell my permissible investments after seven years?

If you become a Hong Kong permanent resident, you may dispose of the assets subject to the terms of the underlying investments. If you do not obtain permanent residence but have met the Portfolio Maintenance Requirements for at least seven years, you may apply for unconditional stay at the end of the seventh year and, once granted, dispose of the assets on the same terms. Unconditional stay itself requires a separate ImmD assessment and valid residence status on the date of application.

Does seven years of meeting the financial requirements make me a permanent resident automatically?

No. The Immigration Department states that continuous satisfaction of the financial requirements and seven years of approved extension do not imply fulfilment of the ordinary residence requirement for the right of abode. A person claiming to be a Hong Kong permanent resident may apply for verification of eligibility for a permanent identity card if he or she meets the statutory ordinary residence test and other requirements.

References

• Hong Kong Immigration Department — New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme Frequently Asked Questions
• Hong Kong Immigration Department — Rules for the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme
• Invest Hong Kong — New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme website