Investment Immigration to Hong Kong continues to thrive amidst a chorus of "price increases". Since its launch in 2003, the Hong Kong Capital Investment Entrant Scheme has been regarded as one of the most expensive investment immigration programs in the world. The reasons for this are mainly twofold: on one hand, the threshold for investment immigration to Hong Kong is as high as HKD 10 million, and investment in Hong Kong real estate is not permitted. In comparison, the more popular immigration destination, the United States, only requires an investment of USD 500,000 (approximately HKD 3.8 million). On the other hand, residents from mainland China cannot directly invest to settle in Hong Kong; they must first obtain a third-country identity to apply. Currently, applicants in the market typically choose countries such as the Philippines, Guinea-Bissau, and Vanuatu as a springboard to settle in Hong Kong. From this perspective, the cost of settling in Hong Kong is very high for mainland residents.
However, on the other hand, if applicants can invest in accordance with the requirements of the Hong Kong government, the approval rate is almost 100%. Although the Hong Kong Capital Investment Entrant Scheme is costly, it is a relatively low-difficulty immigration method. At the same time, investment immigration to Hong Kong has no language or educational requirements, no immigration monitoring, and offers comprehensive welfare benefits, high-quality education, and visa-free access to 147 countries, among many other advantages, making it highly competitive in the immigration market. Hong Kong shares the same roots and heritage with mainland China, with similar historical and cultural backgrounds and living environments, making it easy for mainland immigrants to quickly integrate and find a sense of "home".
For some business people, obtaining Hong Kong identity for the whole family while retaining their mainland household registration will not affect their life and career in the mainland. Conducting business in the mainland allows them to enjoy numerous preferential policies granted to overseas Chinese. Hong Kong identity offers tax reduction benefits similar to those for foreign personnel, allowing the establishment of foreign or joint ventures in the mainland. Hong Kong is globally recognized as the freest trade zone, with smooth capital flow and high operational efficiency; its marketing network covers the globe and serves as a logistics hub in Asia; Hong Kong has advanced information technology, with rapid information transmission, making it an ideal platform for WorldWay; it has a sound legal system, a stable financial system, and a strict regulatory mechanism to ensure fair market competition; and Hong Kong has low tax rates and a simple tax system, making business and investment returns highly attractive.
Of course, immigration experts also remind investors that regardless of whether the Hong Kong investment immigration policy is adjusted, investors should choose immigration projects that suit their own needs, and not blindly follow the crowd.
