Investment as Entrepreneur Visa

Foreigners who wish to enter Hong Kong for investment as entrepreneurs, either to establish or join in business must therefore request and obtain an investment as entrepreneur visa from the Hong Kong Immigration Department. Investment as Entrepreneurs visa holders will normally be granted an initial stay of 36 months.

This entry arrangement does not apply to Chinese residents of the Mainland of China and nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba Laos, Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of), Nepal and Vietnam.

Eligibility Criteria

The following eligibility requirements must be met for application for entrepreneur visa:

• Applicant should not have any criminal records or security objections;

• Applicant has a good education background (i.e. first degree) or equivalent technical qualifications, proven professional abilities and/or relevant experience and achievements supported by documentary evidence;

• Applicant is in a position to make substantial contribution to the economy of the HKSAR. Factors including but not limited to business turnover, financial resources, investment sum, number of locally created jobs, introduction of new technology or skills along with the business plan will be considered by HK ImmD;

• In the case of a start-up business (newly established or joined in), the start-up project must be supported by a government-backed programme with a rigorous vetting and selection process (e.g. Cyberport Incubation Programme, Incubation programmes administered by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, etc.), and the applicant must be either the proprietor, a partner of the company, or a key researcher of the relevant project.

To apply for entry for investment as entrepreneur, the applicant must nominate a local sponsor, who can either sponsor the applicant as a company or an individual. If the sponsor is an individual, he/she should be at least 18 of age, a bona fide Hong Kong resident and acquainted with the applicant.

Overseas Chinese nationals holding People’s Republic of China passports who meet the above criteria and the general immigration requirements of the HKSAR may apply to enter the HKSAR for investment as entrepreneur if:

(1) Applicant has permanent residence overseas; OR

(2) Applicant has been residing overseas for at least one (1) year immediately before the submission of the application, which must be submitted from overseas.

Procedures and Timeline

In general, the processing time of an entry visa application for investment as entrepreneur is approximately 8-12 weeks upon submission of a complete application package to the Hong Kong Immigration Department. The Hong Kong Immigration Department will verify the validity of the information submitted and may request additional evidentiary documents. In such case, the processing time will be prolonged. Approval of applications is at the entire discretion of the Director of the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

Note:

The above-mentioned eligibility criteria are subject to change by the Hong Kong Immigration Department without prior notice. Please consult with Immexa’s team for more information before applying.