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Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China · entrepreneur · Leads to settlement

Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 14 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

Route under the General Employment Policy for people establishing or joining a business in Hong Kong as entrepreneurs.

No sponsorship requiredLeads to permanent residencyInitial stay normally up to 36 months on employment (business) conditions; extensions follow the standard pattern.
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
Reviewed Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗

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

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Check the route fit

    Confirm the business will make a substantial economic contribution before applying.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Prepare the business plan, company documents and proof of investment funds.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Submit the investment-as-entrepreneur application to the Immigration Department.

  4. After approval

    After approval, operate the business, meet extension requirements and build toward seven-year residence.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Hong Kong

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Hong Kong. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

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.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant
    Use 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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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 Kong

How 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

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