Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China · entrepreneur · Leads to settlement
Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 14 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026
Route under the General Employment Policy for people establishing or joining a business in Hong Kong as entrepreneurs.
- Processing time
- The Immigration Department indicates it normally takes about four weeks to process a complete application; confirm current timing on the official page.
- Government fees
- A visa/entry permit fee applies on issuance. Refer to the Immigration Department fee schedule on the official page.
- Typical duration
- Initial stay normally up to 36 months on employment (business) conditions; extensions follow the standard pattern.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
As of 9 July 2026, the Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China is an unsponsored Hong Kong immigration route. Sources: official Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/hong-kong/investment-as-entrepreneurs#answer
What is the Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China?
Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs is an unsponsored Hong Kong route. Indicative government fees are A visa/entry permit fee applies on issuance. Refer to the Immigration Department fee schedule on the official page; indicative processing time is The Immigration Department indicates it normally takes about four weeks to process a complete application; confirm current timing on the official page; typical duration is Initial stay normally up to 36 months on employment (business) conditions; extensions follow the standard pattern. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
This arrangement, administered under the General Employment Policy, is for people who wish to enter or stay in Hong Kong to establish or join in business as entrepreneurs. The Immigration Department assesses whether the business is or will be making a substantial contribution to the Hong Kong economy, considering factors such as the business plan, financial resources, investment and local job creation. Continuous ordinary residence of not less than seven years can lead to the right of abode.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓No security objection and no known record of serious crime.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ✓A good educational background or good technical qualifications and proven relevant experience.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ✓Establishing or joining a business that is or will be making a substantial contribution to the Hong Kong economy.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ✓A viable business plan supported by adequate financial resources and investment.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ✓Assessment factors including business turnover, investment sum and creation of local job opportunities.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
Common blockers
- !A business that does not make, or is unlikely to make, a substantial contribution to the economy.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- !Insufficient financial resources or an unconvincing business plan.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- !No genuine commercial activity behind the application.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- !Being a national of a jurisdiction excluded from the General Employment Policy.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Passport and personal particulars.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ·Business plan with financial projections.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ·Business registration and company incorporation documents.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ·Proof of financial standing and investment funds.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ·Evidence of local job creation or business activity where available.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm the business will make a substantial economic contribution before applying.
Build the evidence pack
Prepare the business plan, company documents and proof of investment funds.
Submit through the official channel
Submit the investment-as-entrepreneur application to the Immigration Department.
After approval
After approval, operate the business, meet extension requirements and build toward seven-year residence.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs.
Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) · verified
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Related routes
General Employment Policy (GEP)
Hong Kong's main employer-sponsored route for non-local professionals with a confirmed job offer that cannot be readily filled locally.
Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)
Investment-migration route relaunched in 2024 for people who place a substantial sum in permissible Hong Kong assets.
Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)
Points-based talent route for highly skilled or talented people to settle in Hong Kong without first securing a job offer.
Entry for Residence as Dependants
Route for spouses, civil partners, dependent children and (for permanent-resident sponsors) elderly parents to reside in Hong Kong.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fixed minimum investment for the entrepreneur route?+
The Immigration Department does not publish a single fixed minimum figure for this General Employment Policy route. Instead it assesses whether the business makes, or is likely to make, a substantial contribution to the Hong Kong economy, weighing factors such as the business plan, financial resources, investment sum, business turnover and local job creation. The separate Capital Investment Entrant Scheme is the route built around a defined investment threshold.
Can this route lead to settlement?+
Yes. Persons admitted for investment who have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years may apply for the right of abode in accordance with the law, provided they maintain continuous lawful residence.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in Hong KongHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR)
Last checked: 1 June 2026