Hong Kong Investment Visa (Entrepreneur Visa)

An investment visa or entrepreneur visa application is a subcategory of a work visa application, designed for those business owners or entrepreneurs who intend to stay in Hong Kong to actively participate in daily business operations.

In order to obtain an investment visa, an individual should prove the following:

1. He/she is a sole or majority shareholder of the Hong Kong company. To distinguish an investment visa application (i.e. entrepreneur visa application) from a work visa application, one should be a majority shareholder of the company and should contribute significantly in a business sense. Otherwise a work visa application would be more appropriate.

2. His/her business in Hong Kong will enhance the local HK economy.

Immigration Department will focus on the following criteria:

1. Local hiring;
2. Having an office premise;
3. Having actual or/and potential business transactions in the Hong Kong company;
4. Having sufficient fund;
5. The applicant must be free of criminal records.

There is no minimum capital injection required by the HK Immigration Department for an individual to invest in a business in order to obtain an investment visa. However, applicants should show that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and the business in Hong Kong. Thus, sound financial statements are one of the supporting criteria required by the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

Which countries are not eligible to the Investment/Entrepreneur Visa?

The Investment/Entrepreneur Visa is not eligible to countries including Chinese residents of Mainland China, Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, North Korea (i.e. Democratic People's Republic of), Nepal, and Vietnam.

Are overseas Chinese nationals eligible to apply for the Investment/Entrepreneur Visa?

However, overseas Chinese nationals who are living overseas, holds People's Republic of China passports, have met all the other criteria (mentioned in this article), and have met the normal immigration requirements are eligible to apply for Hong Kong investment visa, if:

1. The applicant possesses a permanent residence overseas, or
2. The applicant has been residing overseas for at least one year immediately before the application submission.

The definition of \"overseas\" refers to locations outside the Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao.

In this case, the application must be submitted from overseas.

What are considered eligible to contribute to Hong Kong’s Economy?

When a foreign professional is capable to make substantial contribution to Hong Kong’s economy, this foreign person may be favourably considered a candidate for the investment/entrepreneur visa. The actual potential contribution can be evaluated through a business plan, business turnover, financial resources, investment sum, number of jobs created locally for HK residents, and the introduction of new technology or skills.

Business Plan: An applicant who is to join in business or establish a new business in Hong Kong must submit a two-year business plan. In the business plan, it should inform the nature of the business, market analysis, market positioning, business direction, sales targets, product marketing strategy, or more.

The applicant must also submit a two-year forecast of the profit-and-loss account statement, cash flow statement and balance sheet. This information is to demonstrate that the business is suitable for and capable of developing in Hong Kong.

Because of the applicant’s business plan, the Hong Kong Immigration Department may use advice other HK government departments and/or consultants/professionals. This is to assess if the business to be set up will in fact support Hong Kong’s overall economic development.

The HK Immigration Department may consider whether the applicant’s business belongs to or is able to complement industries that Hong Kong usually gets considerable advantages. These industries include the four traditional pillar industries i.e. trading and logistics, tourism, financial services, and professional and producer services. The industries may also be the four clusters of sectors i.e. transportation, convention and exhibition industries and tourism, manufacturing industries, innovative technology and cultural and creative industries, and professional services.

Prism’s Visa Consultant Service Involves:

• Provide visa consultation service regarding to the documents required for investment visa application;
  
  Prepare a tailor-made document checklist for visa applicant;
  
  Complete all necessary Immigration forms for the applicant;
  
  Review and organize the documents in favor of immigration policy;
  
  Suggest alternative documents if the applicant is not able to get the listed documents;
  
  Submit the Investment Visa application to Immigration Department;
  
  Reply on the applicant’s behalf to all enquiries and correspondences from Immigration Department;
  
  Prepare and draft all letters required for submission to Immigration Department;
  
  Monitor the application process;
  
  Keep the applicant updated on the status of the investment visa application;
  
  Accept the approval and have the investment visa delivered to the applicant;
  
  Provide guidance on Hong Kong Identity Card application.
  

Application Procedure:

• 1. Free consultation regarding to the investment visa application;
  2. Advise the applicant on the alternatives and the likelihood of success;
  3. Obtain the applicant’s signature on the letter of engagement;
  4. Obtain deposit payment;
  5. Prepare a tailor-made document checklist for the Investment Visa application;
  6. Complete immigration forms, drafts and letters;
  7. Review the collected documents to ensure they are correctly presented;
  8. Draft all letters required for submission to Immigration Department;
  9. Ongoing liaison with Immigration Department;
  10. Reply Immigration Department’s enquiries on the applicant’s behalf;
  11. Accept the Investment visa approval and collect the visa label from Immigration Department;
  12. Deliver the investment visa to the applicant;
  13. Provide guidance on Hong Kong Identity Card application.
  

Documents Required:

• An Investment Visa application form ID(E) 999A with the applicant's signatures
  
  An Investment Visa application form ID(E) 999B with the the company's authorized person signatures;
  
  Copy of the applicant's passport;
  
  Copy of the applicant’s personal documents;
  
  The company detailed business plan;
  
  Copies of the company's business incorporation documents;
  
  Copies of the financial documents of both the applicant and the company.

Processing Time:

• The visa application process normally takes 4 to 8 weeks from the date of submission.

Remarks:

• The initial visa once obtained is valid for a maximum of 24 months (sometimes less).
  
  Once the Investment visa application has been approved, the applicant is eligible to apply for a Hong Kong Identity Card.
  
  If the company is newly established, when first visa is granted, it is common that the visa will be under the condition of ‘under business review’. It means that when the applicant applies for an extension for the investment visa, immigration department will review the company’s business and financial abilities before approving the extension of stay for the applicant.