Who is CIES designed for?

The scheme targets high-net-worth individuals with at least HK$30 million in investable assets who wish to gain Hong Kong residency through investment. It suits investors seeking Hong Kong as a wealth management hub and international platform.

AIAIG观点

2026年3月25日

Hong Kong CIES March 2026 Update: Holding Company Rule Relaxed, HK$95 Billion in Anticipated Investment

Q: When does the new holding company rule take effect?

From March 1, 2026, applicants can use a private holding company regardless of incorporation date—the previous six-month minimum has been removed.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is for informational reference only and does not constitute investment advice, a solicitation, or a basis for major decision-making. Please make independent judgments and consult professional advisors when needed.

Effective March 1, 2026, Hong Kong's New CIES removes the six-month incorporation requirement for private holding companies and extends the visa renewal window to 90 days. In two years, the scheme has attracted 3,166 applications with HK$95 billion in anticipated investment, with year-two applications surging 145%.

Hong Kong CIES March 2026 Update: Holding Company Rule Relaxed, HK$95 Billion in Anticipated Investment

Two March Policy Changes

Effective March 1, 2026, Hong Kong's New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES) implements two key adjustments:

Holding company incorporation rule removed: Applicants may now use a private holding company regardless of how recently it was incorporated. Previously, the company needed to be at least six months old. This gives investors greater flexibility in structuring their asset allocation.
Visa renewal window extended to 90 days: Renewal applications under six employment and talent immigration schemes, including CIES, can now be submitted up to 90 days before current permission expires.

Two-Year Scorecard: 3,166 Applications, HK$95 Billion

As of February 28, 2026, InvestHK received 3,166 applications with anticipated investment of approximately HK$95 billion. Key highlights:

1,762 applicants completed investments and received formal Immigration Department approval
Year two (March 2025–February 2026) produced 2,248 applications, up 145% from year one's 918
Growth surged after March 2025 rule changes that cut the asset-holding period from 24 to 6 months and permitted joint family asset ownership

Capital Allocation: Funds Lead, Real Estate at Zero

Of the HK$55.6 billion in verified investment:

Asset Class	Amount (HK$ Billion)	Share
SFC-authorized Funds	21.45	38.6%
Equities	16.12	29.0%
CIES Investment Portfolio	5.51	9.9%
Investment-linked Assurance	5.50	9.9%
Debt Securities	5.28	9.5%
Others	1.79	3.2%

Notably, despite the government permitting luxury residential investment in October 2024 and lowering the threshold from HK$50 million to HK$30 million in September 2025, not a single applicant has deployed capital into residential property.

Implications for Overseas Chinese Investors

Faster holding company route: HNWIs can now set up a new SPV and apply without waiting six months
Funds and equities dominate: Nearly 70% of capital flows to SFC-authorized funds and listed equities
Luxury property channel remains untouched: Zero uptake at the HK$30 million threshold signals investors prioritize liquidity and returns
Window narrowing: At the current growth rate, year three could hit the government's original 4,000 annual target, intensifying competition

Sources

Question

What is the minimum investment threshold for CIES?

AIAIGAnswer

Applicants must invest at least HK$30 million in permissible assets (funds, equities, bonds, investment-linked assurance, etc.) and maintain the investment for at least seven years.