Hong Kong offers an ‘Investment Visa’ or Entrepreneur Visa for foreign entrepreneurs looking to relocate to operate their own business in Hong Kong.

Essentially, the Investment Visa is a type of work permit that is issued to a business owner as an employee of their Hong Kong company.

An Investment Visa is granted by the Immigration Department (ImmD) of Hong Kong under the General Employment Policy. Officially, it is named the ‘Investment as Entrepreneurs’ scheme.

In this article, we will walk you through the eligibility requirements, necessary documentation, application process and other relevant information you need to know about obtaining an Investment Visa in Hong Kong.

Eligibility

• Have a clean criminal record
• Have a good educational background. Usually, a first-level university degree in the relevant work field, though in special circumstances, good technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or relevant experience and achievements (supported by documentary evidence) may also be accepted.
• Prove that your business will make a substantial contribution to Hong Kong’s economy. This means showcasing how your venture will create jobs for the local workforce, use local service providers, suppliers, and manufacturers, introduce new technologies and skills (if applicable) and contribute meaningfully to the particular market you’re stepping into.

The Investment as Entrepreneurs scheme does not apply to Chinese residents of mainland China and nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, Nepal and Vietnam.

Not sure if this is the right visa for you? Our Guide to Hong Kong Visas lists the most common options, including the Employment Visa.

Documents needed for the Investment Visa

You need a local sponsor when applying for an Investment Visa. The sponsor assumes responsibility for your repatriation if the circumstances so arise. They could be a company or an individual.

The documents required for the application for an Investment Visa generally include, but are not limited, to the following:

Documents required from the applicant:

• Completed Investment Visa Application Form, including a recent photograph.
• Copy of the passport (the personal particulars page). If you are already staying in Hong Kong, a copy of your passport page containing the latest arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label and, if applicable, the latest issued e-Visa.
• Copy of the HKID card, if any.
• Copy of proof of your overseas residence.
• Copy of CV and academic qualifications/relevant working experience.
• Copy of your company’s Employment Contract or Appointment Letter, with details of your post, salary, other fringe benefits and employment period (if applicable).
• A thorough and detailed two-year business plan, see below.
• Copy of the Business Registration Certificate of your company (if applicable).

Documents required from the sponsor (company or individual):

• Completed application form (Sponsor)
• If a company:
  • Copy of the company’s Business Registration Certificate
• If an individual:
  • Copy of the sponsor’s HKID card
  • Copy of the personal particulars page of the sponsor’s passport

All submitted documents must be in English or Chinese or translated into English/Chinese by a certified translation body.

The Immigration Department has the right to demand further documents from the applicant or sponsor if deemed necessary.

Business plan

A crucial part of your entrepreneur visa application in Hong Kong is the 2-year business plan. It is the way to convince the authorities that your business will positively impact Hong Kong’s economy.

The following factors will be taken into account by the authorities:

Business plan: Your business plan should detail your venture’s idea, product or service. It should have a clear market analysis, including the potential growth and contributions your business will bring to Hong Kong. Details about your operational plan, administrative and management team, and more are integral chapters of your business plan.

Capital investment: The authorities look to ensure you have adequate capital investment or funding to sustain your business. While there is no specific capital requirement, having sufficient funds to cover your start-up and operational costs for an initial 3 to 6 months is vital. Whether through bank statements, loan papers, letters of credit, or others; presenting documentary evidence of your financial standing is non-negotiable.

Business entity: The choice of your business entity is a critical part of your company’s identity. In general, a limited liability company incorporated in Hong Kong projects a stronger image than a sole proprietorship or a partnership firm, and will likely command a more favourable reception by the authorities.

Business premises: The chosen business premises should align with your business activity. For example, an import/export business would need ample storage space. Providing a tenancy agreement and photographs of your business premises can significantly support your visa application.

For a higher chance of approval of your visa application, it is important to invest time and effort into writing a solid business plan, instead of merely meeting the bare minimum requirements. This is your opportunity to put your best foot forward and show your commitment to contributing to Hong Kong’s economy.

Application procedure & timeline

Once all necessary documents for the Investment Visa application have been prepared, they must be submitted to the Hong Kong Immigration Department online or by post. Overseas applicants may also submit their application in person to the nearest Chinese diplomatic and consular mission.

When all required documents have been received, processing an entrepreneur visa application takes about 4 weeks.

If the application is successful, the applicant will be granted the Investment Visa in the form of an “e-Visa”.

As the applicant, you must show the e-Visa (digitally or printed) together with your valid travel document when entering Hong Kong.

For applications submitted at the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions, the permit label will be issued there. You should place the permit label on a blank visa page in your travel document.

The application procedure is free, but there is a fee for collecting the visa of HK$230 (ca. 29 USD).

Generally, the Investment Visa is issued for an initial validity of 3 years or in accordance with the employment duration stated in the contract (whichever is shorter). After this, you can apply for an extension/renewal.

Investment Visa extension

Four weeks before the expiry date of the Investment Visa, you can apply for an extension of stay.

The extension application will be considered only if the applicant continues to meet the eligibility criteria as set out above.

If approved, an extension of stay normally follows the 3-2 years pattern or the duration of the employment contract (whichever is shorter).

Dependant visa

When you have a Hong Kong Investment Visa, you may apply for a dependant visa for your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 18.

A dependant visa application must be filed for each family member. The length of stay is tied to the applicant’s length of stay.

Dependant visa holders are allowed to take up employment, do business, and study in Hong Kong.

Permanent residence

When you have resided in Hong Kong under an Investment Visa (and/or Employment Visa or other type of visa) for a continuous period of at least 7 years, you are eligible to apply for Permanent Residency.

This status grants individuals the right to live and work in Hong Kong without any visa restrictions.

HKWJ Tax Law can help with your Investment Visa application

It is typically recommended to engage a professional firm for your investment visa application because:

• Professional service providers bring a wealth of experience to the table, having navigated the visa application process for numerous clients. This familiarity equips them to guide you effectively throughout the procedure.
• They can help you write a solid business plan that aligns with the authorities’ expectations. Since your proposed investment plan holds significant weight with the Immigration Department, this is an important part of your application.
• A professional firm can act as your local sponsor, adding further credibility to your application.
• The firm will help prepare and submit your application, but also liaise with the authorities when necessary and save you time on follow-ups and administrative tasks.

Our professionals at HKWJ Tax Law can help you with all the above.

Contact us today via the form below or [email protected] for more information on how our team can help you get the visa quickly and easily.