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This webpage sets out the entry arrangement for persons who wish to enter/stay in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (hereafter “HKSAR”) for investment as entrepreneurs under the General Employment Policy (hereafter “GEP”), i.e. to establish or join in business in the HKSAR.

This entry arrangement does not apply to: 

1. Chinese residents of the Mainland of China (hereafter “the Mainland”); and
2. nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and Korea (Democratic People's Republic of).

An application for a visa/entry permit to enter the HKSAR for investment as entrepreneur may be favourably considered if: 

Overseas Chinese nationals holding People's Republic of China (hereafter “PRC”) passports who are living overseas and meet the above eligibility criteria and normal immigration requirements may apply to enter the HKSAR for investment if: 

1. the applicant has permanent residence overseas; or
2. the applicant has been residing overseas for at least one year immediately before the submission of application ["overseas" means places outside the Mainland, the HKSAR, the Macao Special Administrative Region (hereafter “SAR”)] and that the application is submitted from overseas.

In general, unless a person has the right of abode or right to land in the HKSAR, he/she requires a visa/entry permit for investment in the HKSAR. While each application is determined on its individual merits, an applicant should meet normal immigration requirements (such as holding a valid travel document with adequate returnability to his/her country of residence or citizenship; be of clear criminal record and raise no security or criminal concerns to the HKSAR; have no likelihood of becoming a burden on the HKSAR, etc.) as well as the relevant specific eligibility criteria detailed above before he/she may be considered for the grant of a visa/entry permit. It should be noted that the eligibility criteria may be subject to change from time to time without prior notice.

Applicants admitted or seeking admission for investment may apply to bring in their spouse or the other party to a same-sex civil partnership, same-sex civil union, “same-sex marriage”, opposite-sex civil partnership or opposite-sex civil union entered into by him/her in accordance with the local law in force of the place of celebration and with such status being legally and officially recognised by the local authorities of the place of celebration ^Note and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18 to the HKSAR under the prevailing dependant policy. Persons admitted or applying for admission for investment will be the sponsors of their accompanying dependants to the HKSAR. An application for admission of a dependant may be favourably considered if normal immigration requirements and the following criteria are met:

1. there is reasonable proof of a genuine relationship between the dependant and the sponsor;
2. there is no known record to the detriment of the dependant; and
3. the sponsor is able to support the dependant's living at a standard well above the subsistence level and provide him/her with suitable accommodation in the HKSAR. 

This entry arrangement does not apply to: 

1. former Mainland Chinese residents residing in the Macao SAR who have obtained Macao identity cards for less than seven years, unless they have acquired residence in the Macao SAR through the One-way Permit Scheme; and
2. nationals of Afghanistan and Korea (Democratic People's Republic of). 

The length of stay of such dependants will normally be linked to that of their sponsors. Any subsequent applications for extension of stay will be considered only when the applicant continues to meet the eligibility criteria for entry for residence as dependant (including that there is no change in circumstances which would have otherwise resulted in loss of sponsorship for the applicant, e.g. change in marriage relationship between the dependent spouse and the sponsor, or death of sponsor) and the sponsor remains a bona fide Hong Kong resident living in the HKSAR. These dependants are not prohibited from taking up employment or studies in the HKSAR under the existing policy.

Note:

For the avoidance of doubt, the terms “civil partnership” and “civil union” above mean a legal institution of a nature which is akin to spousal relationship in a marriage. The same-sex civil partnership, same-sex civil union, “same-sex marriage”, opposite-sex civil partnership and opposite-sex civil union entered into in accordance with laws outside Hong Kong are limited to only relationships which are legally and officially recognised in the places of celebration. Such relationships normally have the following features: (a) the entering into and dissolution of the relationship are governed by legislation of the place where it is entered into; (b) the relationship requires registration by the competent authority specified by the legislation of the place where it is entered into; (c) the registration is evidenced in a written instrument issued by the competent authority; and (d) parties to the relationship have a mutual commitment to a shared life akin to spouses to the exclusion of others on a permanent basis. Such relationships do not include de facto spouse, partners in cohabitation, fiancé/fiancée, etc.

It normally takes four weeks to process a visa/entry permit application for investment upon receipt of all the required documents and the relevant application fee. The Immigration Department will not be able to start processing the application unless all the required documents and the relevant application fee have been received.

All applications are processed and determined by the Immigration Department. Approval of applications is entirely discretionary and is subject to changes in government policies. The Director of Immigration reserves absolute discretion to refuse any application even if the application meets all eligibility criteria.

To apply for entry for investment, 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: 

1. of the age of 18 or above;
2. a bona fide Hong Kong resident; and
3. acquainted with the applicant.

1. Documents to be uploaded by the applicant for entry for investment
   
   

   Forms/ Documents Required
   The applicant's recent photograph
   The applicant's valid travel document containing personal particulars, date of issue, date of expiry and/or details of any re-entry visa held (if applicable). For an applicant who is currently staying in the HKSAR, his/her travel document page containing the latest arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label in the HKSAR and the latest issued “e-Visa” (if applicable).
   The applicant's Hong Kong identity card (if any)
   Proof of academic qualifications and relevant work experience
   Proof of the applicant’s financial standing (e.g. bank statements)
   The company's employment contract with or letter of appointment to the applicant containing information about post, salary, other fringe benefits and employment period (if applicable)
   Detailed 3-year investment plan which contains details of proposed business activities, amount of investment, creation of local job posts, setting up of an office/showroom/warehouse, etc.
   Proof of company’s business activities such as contracts, invoices or proof of business deals under negotiation (if applicable)
   Proof of the company’s financial standing (e.g. latest audited financial report, trading profit and loss account, or profits tax return)
   Documents with details of company background such as business activities, mode of operation, background/connection of company, product ranges, sources and markets, membership of chamber of commerce (if any) etc. (supported with catalogues, brochures, etc) [if the applicant has invested in the HKSAR]
   Tenancy agreements/supporting documents on office set-up
   Proof of posts created for local employees such as records of monthly contributions to Mandatory Provident Fund Scheme (if applicable)
   Business Registration Certificate and business registration particulars e.g. Inland Revenue Department Form 1(a)/Form 1(c) [if the applicant has invested in the HKSAR]
   Documents filed with the Companies Registry such as Certificate of Incorporation/latest annual return/Incorporation Form (Company Limited by Shares)/Memorandum of Association/Articles of Association
   Licences or certificates for the operation of the business (e.g. relevant licences for financial institutions issued by the Securities and Futures Commission) (if applicable)
   Letter indicating valid support by a government-backed programme*
   The applicant's Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to Hong Kong SAR and Macao identity card [for Macao SAR residents only]
   The applicant's household registration transcript in Taiwan and Taiwan identity card [for Taiwan residents only]
   Proof of the applicant's overseas residence, such as official documents showing the applicant's conditions of stay and limit of stay endorsed by overseas authorities [for overseas Chinese holding PRC passports only]

   * For applicants who wish to establish or join in a start-up business supported by a government-backed programme. For examples of government-backed programmes, please refer to paragraph 3(c)(ii) of Part II of the Guidebook for Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs in Hong Kong [ID(E) 1000].

2. Documents to be uploaded by the sponsor
   
   i.     For applications in which the sponsor is a Company:
   
   

   Forms/ Documents Required
   Business Registration Certificate

   
   ii.    For applications in which the sponsor is an Individual:
   
   

   Forms/ Documents Required
   The sponsor's Hong Kong permanent identity card/Hong Kong identity card
   The sponsor’s valid travel document containing personal particulars, date of issue, date of expiry, and the latest arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label in the HKSAR and the latest issued “e-Visa” (if applicable) (for non-permanent residents of the HKSAR only)

3. Documents to be uploaded by each accompanying dependant of an applicant for entry for investment
   
   

   Forms/ Documents Required
   The dependant's recent photograph
   The dependant's valid travel document containing personal particulars, date of issue, date of expiry and/or details of any re-entry visa held (if applicable). For a dependant who is currently staying in the HKSAR, his/her travel document page containing the latest arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label in the HKSAR and the latest  “e-Visa” (if applicable).  A Chinese resident of the Mainland who has not been issued with a travel document may submit his/her People's Republic of China resident identity card.
   Evidence of the applicant's relationship with the dependant, e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, family photographs, family letters (with envelopes), census record book and Privilege Card for Single Child (if applicable)
   The dependant's Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to Hong Kong SAR and Macao identity card [for Macao SAR residents only]
   The dependant's household registration transcript in Taiwan and Taiwan identity card [for Taiwan residents only]
   Proof of the dependant’s overseas residence, such as official documents showing the dependant’s conditions of stay and limit of stay endorsed by overseas authorities [for overseas Chinese holding PRC passports only]

4. Documents to be uploaded by the applicant for extension of stay application
   
   

   Forms/ Documents Required
   The applicant’s valid travel document and, where applicable, his/her previous travel document page showing the latest visa/entry permit label/arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label in the HKSAR and the latest issued “e-Visa” (if applicable)
   The applicant’s Hong Kong identity card
   Supporting letter from the current company stating the applicant’s contribution to Hong Kong (including the amount of capital invested and to be invested in the coming three years, the number of posts created for local employees with post titles and those to be created in the coming three years, etc.)
   Business Registration Certificate
   Letter indicating valid support by a government-backed programme*

   * For applicants who wish to establish or join, or has established or joined, in a start-up business supported by a government-backed programme. For examples of government-backed programmes, please refer to paragraph 3(c)(ii) of Part II of the Guidebook for Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs in Hong Kong [ID(E) 1000].

   Notwithstanding that the documents and information required have been furnished, applicant, accompanying dependants and sponsor may still be required to submit further supporting documents and information in connection with the applications when necessary.

   Where a document is not in Chinese or English, it must be accompanied by a Chinese or English translation certified as a true translation by a sworn translator, court translator, authorised public translator, certified translator, expert translator or official translator.

It is an offence to make false statements or representations to an immigration officer. To verify the authenticity of the information and documents submitted with a visa application, field visits may be conducted. A person who knowingly and wilfully makes a statement or gives information which he/she knows to be false or does not believe to be true shall be guilty of an offence under the Laws of Hong Kong and any such visa/entry permit issued or permission to enter or remain in the HKSAR granted shall have no effect.

Applicants, their accompanying dependant(s) (if any) and the sponsor shall click here for online submission of application and uploading of all supporting documents with the relevant application fee paid. The application fee paid is non-refundable in any circumstance irrespective of the application result.

It normally takes four weeks to process a visa/entry permit application for investment upon receipt of all the required documents and the relevant application fee. The ImmD will not be able to start processing the application unless all the required documents and the relevant application fee have been received. 

All applications are processed and determined by the ImmD. Approval of applications is entirely discretionary and is subject to changes in government policies. The Director of Immigration reserves absolute discretion to refuse any application even if the application meets all eligibility criteria.

For the purpose of Schedule 2 of the Immigration Regulations (Cap.115A), the GEP is a “specified scheme”. For entry visa/permit applications or change of condition of stay (including extension of limit of stay) applications made under a “specified scheme”, the principal applicant and each of his/her dependant(s) (if any) are required to pay a non-refundable application fee and the corresponding visa issuance fee. For more details on the fee structure, please refer to New Fee Structure for Visa Applications under Specified Schemes.

Upon approval, the notification of the application result issued by the ImmD will include a webpage link for payment of the visa issuance fee. Payment of relevant fees could be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application by credit card (VISA, Mastercard, UnionPay and JCB only), Payment by Phone Service (PPS), Faster Payment System (FPS), or Mainland China’s Licensed Digital Wallets (Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay App only). After payment, applicants can instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.

Fee Table

Once the receipt of application has been acknowledged, applicants can enquire their application status here or through the 24-hour telephone enquiry system at (852) 3160 8663.

For the purpose of Schedule 2 of the Immigration Regulations (Cap.115A), the GEP is a “specified scheme”. For entry visa/permit applications or change of condition of stay (including extension of limit of stay) applications made under a “specified scheme”, the principal applicant and each of his/her dependant(s) (if any) are required to pay a non-refundable application fee and the corresponding visa issuance fee. For more details on the fee structure, please refer to New Fee Structure for Visa Applications under Specified Schemes.

Upon approval, the notification of the application result issued by the ImmD will include a webpage link for payment of the visa issuance fee. Payment of relevant fees could be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application by credit card (VISA, Mastercard, UnionPay and JCB only), Payment by Phone Service (PPS), Faster Payment System (FPS), or Mainland China’s Licensed Digital Wallets (Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay App only). After payment, applicants can instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.

Fee Table

A visa/entry permit (in the form of “e-Visa”) will be issued upon successful application. Upon immigration arrival clearance in the HKSAR, an “e-Visa” holder should present his/her valid travel document and the “e-Visa” saved on a personal mobile device or printed on a sheet of A4 white paper, and scan the encrypted QR code on the “e-Visa” with the optical reader at an immigration counter.

Persons admitted for investment as entrepreneurs (to establish or join in business) under the GEP will normally be granted an initial stay of up to 36 months on employment condition upon entry. They may apply for extension of stay in the HKSAR with the relevant application fee paid within four weeks before their limit of stay expires. The application fee paid is non-refundable in any circumstance irrespective of the application result. Such applications will be considered only when the applicants continue to meet the eligibility criteria for entry for investment. Successful applicants will normally be granted an extension of stay following the 3-2 year pattern, on employment condition.

Persons admitted to establish or join in business as approved by the Director of Immigration will be admitted on employment condition.  Should they wish to establish or join in business other than that approved, they should seek prior approval from the Director of Immigration. Such applications may be favourably considered if they continue to fulfil the eligibility criteria for entry for investment under the General Employment Policy.

Non-permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), irrespective of their nationality and type of travel document held, do not require a re-entry visa/entry permit to enter the HKSAR provided that they return within the validity of their permitted limit of stay and that the circumstances upon which they have acquired their residential status remain unchanged.

Persons admitted for investment who have ordinarily resided in the HKSAR for a continuous period of not less than seven years may apply for the right of abode in the HKSAR in accordance with the law.

This webpage sets out information about extension of stay for entrants admitted for investment as entrepreneurs under the General Employment Policy (hereafter “GEP”), i.e. to establish or join in business in the HKSAR, and their dependants.

Persons admitted for investment as entrepreneurs (to establish or join in business) under the GEP will normally be granted an initial stay of 36 months on employment condition upon entry. They may apply for extension of stay in the HKSAR with the relevant application fee paid within four weeks before their limit of stay expires. The application fee paid is non-refundable in any circumstance irrespective of the application result. Such applications will be considered only when the applicants continue to meet the eligibility criteria for entry for investment. Successful applicants will normally be granted an extension of stay following the 3-2 year pattern, on employment condition.

A dependant may apply for extension of stay for residence in the HKSAR within four weeks before his/her limit of stay expires. Such applications will be considered only when the applicant continues to meet the eligibility criteria for entry for residence as dependants (including that there is no change in circumstances which would have otherwise resulted in loss of sponsorship for the applicant, e.g. change in marriage relationship between the dependent spouse and the sponsor, or death of sponsor) and the sponsor remains a bona fide Hong Kong resident living in the HKSAR.

The length of stay of dependants of persons admitted for investment as entrepreneurs (to establish or join in business) will normally be linked to that of their sponsors.

Routine applications will normally be finalised within two to three weeks upon receipt of all the required documents and the relevant application fee.

The processing time is subject to the circumstances of individual applications and the number of applications received at the time.

Depending on the applicant’s current immigration status, the following documents are required upon online submission of the application:

Entrepreneurs

^* For applicants who wish to establish or join in, or has established or joined, in a start-up business supported by a government-backed programme. For examples of government-backed programmes, please refer to paragraph 3(c)(ii) of Part II of the Guidebook for Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs in Hong Kong [ID(E) 1000]

Dependants

^ For first time application only

Important Notice
Notwithstanding that the documents and information required have been furnished, applicants, dependants and companies may still be required to submit further supporting documents and information in connection with the application(s) when necessary.

Where a document is not in Chinese or English, it must be accompanied by a Chinese or English translation certified as a true translation by a sworn translator, court translator, authorised public translator, certified translator, expert translator or official translator.

It is an offence to make false statements or representations to an immigration officer. To verify the authenticity of the information and documents submitted with a visa application, field visits may be conducted. A person who knowingly and willfully makes a statement or gives information which he/she knows to be false or does not believe to be true shall be guilty of an offence under the Laws of Hong Kong and any such visa/entry permit issued or permission to enter or remain in the HKSAR granted shall have no effect.

Eligible applicants can submit their applications for extension of stay online here and upload all supporting documents with the relevant application fee paid. The application fee paid is non-refundable in any circumstance irrespective of the application result.

Applicants must be physically present in Hong Kong at the time of application.

Routine applications will normally be finalised within two to three weeks upon receipt of all the required documents and the relevant application fee.

The processing time is subject to the circumstances of individual applications and the number of applications received at the time.

For the purpose of Schedule 2 of the Immigration Regulations (Cap.115A), the GEP is a “specified scheme”. For entry visa/permit applications or change of condition of stay (including extension of limit of stay) applications made under a “specified scheme”, the principal applicant and each of his/her dependant(s) (if any) are required to pay a non-refundable application fee and the corresponding visa issuance fee. For more details on the fee structure, please refer to New Fee Structure for Visa Applications under Specified Schemes.

Upon approval, the notification of the application result issued by the ImmD will include a webpage link for payment of the visa issuance fee. Payment of relevant fees could be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application by credit card (VISA, Mastercard, UnionPay and JCB only), Payment by Phone Service (PPS), Faster Payment System (FPS), or Mainland China’s Licensed Digital Wallets (Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay App only). After payment, applicants can instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.

The applicant must be physically present in Hong Kong at the time of payment and collection of “e-Visa”.

Fee table

After the receipt of the application has been acknowledged, applicants can enquire their application status here or through the 24-hour telephone enquiry system at (852) 3160 8663.

For the purpose of Schedule 2 of the Immigration Regulations (Cap.115A), the GEP is a “specified scheme”. For entry visa/permit applications or change of condition of stay (including extension of limit of stay) applications made under a “specified scheme”, the principal applicant and each of his/her dependant(s) (if any) are required to pay a non-refundable application fee and the corresponding visa issuance fee. For more details on the fee structure, please refer to New Fee Structure for Visa Applications under Specified Schemes.

Upon approval, the notification of the application result issued by the ImmD will include a webpage link for payment of the visa issuance fee. Payment of relevant fees could be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application by credit card (VISA, Mastercard, UnionPay and JCB only), Payment by Phone Service (PPS), Faster Payment System (FPS), or Mainland China’s Licensed Digital Wallets (Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay App only). After payment, applicants can instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.

The applicant must be physically present in Hong Kong at the time of payment and collection of “e-Visa”.

Fee table