Hong Kong investor scheme passes 5,000 applications, expected to draw HK$150 billion
Hong Kong's new capital investor entry scheme received over 5,000 applications by end-October, expected to bring more than HK$150 billion in investment. Over 3,000 applications were verified and approved. The government plans amendments to expand qualifying assets and fund definitions.
Hong Kong's Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said that as of end-October, applications under the new capital investor entry scheme had exceeded 5,000, and were expected to bring more than HK$150 billion in investment to the city. Of these, over 3,000 applications had been verified as having completed investment and received formal approval.
The bureau said that since the scheme was implemented in March 2024, it has continued to attract high-net-worth individuals and capital from around the world to set up in Hong Kong. In recent years, both capital investors and family offices establishing themselves in the city have recorded strong growth.
The government has already implemented a series of measures to optimise the new capital investor entry scheme. To create a more competitive tax environment, it earlier submitted legislative proposals to the Legislative Council to improve the preferential tax regime for funds, family investment holding vehicles and carried interest.
The bureau noted that, taking into account views received during the bill's scrutiny process, the government will propose amendments. These include relaxing the 20 per cent investment cap on "precious metals" as qualifying tax-exempt investments, and expanding the definition of "funds" to include "perpetual funds" that have no fundraising deadline. The authorities expect these changes to respond to industry demands and provide greater flexibility and convenience for funds and family offices. The government aims to pass the relevant bill within this year.
