New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme Enhanced to Attract Global Investors

Better Rules For New Investors Will Bring In Investors From Around The World

The government recently announced several enhancement measures for the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES). The measures, effective 1 March 2025, include relaxing the restrictions on applicants’ asset appraisal and computation.

Due to the enhancements, the New CIES requires applicants to demonstrate that they possess net assets or net equity to which they are beneficially entitled and that these assets or equity have a market value of not less than $30 million net throughout six months in the two years before the applicant’s application.

Hong Kong Expands Family Office Investment Scheme to Boost Global Asset Management Participation

When calculating the net asset requirement for the corresponding amount beneficially entitled to the applicant, any net assets or net equity owned jointly with family members can also be considered.

The Hong Kong government will also consider investments made through an eligible private company wholly owned by an application as an eligible investment in the plan.

Hong Kong Measures to Attract Global Investors with $24 Billion Investment Potential

Christopher Hui, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, stated that these measures would encourage more investors to participate in the scheme. Additionally, they have the potential to harmonise with the tax concession regime for family offices, ultimately leading to the development of family office enterprises in Hong Kong.

“We are committed to providing comprehensive support for family office decision-makers to establish themselves in Hong Kong,” the statement reads. “This will further attract global asset owners and reinforce Hong Kong’s leading position as an international asset and wealth management hub.”

Over 800 applicants have submitted applications to the program in the ten months since March 1, 2024. The total number of applications verified as having satisfied the net asset criterion was 733, while the number of applications verified as having fulfilled the investment requirements was 240.

According to the government, the investment amount due to the New CIES is anticipated to be more than $24 billion.