Immigration Encyclopedia
Do You Have to Use Designated Accounts for Hong Kong Investment Immigration?
Key Takeaways
The New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme of Hong Kong requires an investment of no less than HKD 30 million. Effective November 1, 2026, officials further clarify that financial assets must be traded through designated accounts; assets purchased through ordinary accounts and later transferred to designated accounts will not be counted. Applicants need to review their asset conditions, account arrangements, and investment portfolios in advance.
Individuals preparing to obtain a Hong Kong status through investment often search: Do you have to use designated accounts for Hong Kong investment immigration?
The answer is: If you are applying for the Hong Kong New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, the purchase and holding of financial assets must comply with the designated account requirements stipulated by the scheme.
It is especially important to note that Hong Kong authorities have clarified that starting November 1, 2026, financial assets purchased through non-designated accounts cannot be counted toward the investment requirements when submitting the net asset review application. Even if these assets are subsequently transferred into a designated account, they will not be recognized as eligible.
This requirement directly impacts how investment funds are arranged, and prospective applicants must pay special attention.
- What Are the New Changes Effective November 1, 2026?
According to the latest FAQs published by the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme Office:
All applicants who submit their net asset review application on or after November 1, 2026, will find that financial assets purchased through non-designated accounts do not meet the requirements of the investment compliance review.
For example, if you originally held Hong Kong listed stocks in a personal ordinary securities account and later decided to apply for investment immigration, transferring those stocks into a designated account will not automatically make the original stocks eligible investments.
The key is not whether the assets have been transferred to Hong Kong, but whether a designated account meeting the scheme's requirements was used at the time the financial assets were purchased.
Therefore, prospective applicants should confirm their account arrangements before executing any related investments.
- What Is a Designated Account for Hong Kong Investment Immigration?
A designated account is an investment account specifically opened by the applicant for the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme.
According to the scheme rules, the account must be opened in the name of the applicant or a holding company that complies with the scheme regulations, with an eligible financial intermediary.
Eligible financial intermediaries include:
Authorized institutions in Hong Kong;
Licensed corporations licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong to carry on Type 1 or Type 9 regulated activities;
Insurers authorized to carry on designated classes of insurance business.
Applicants are also required to enter into a written contract with the financial intermediary that complies with the scheme requirements, specifying the purpose of the account, investment management, and related reporting responsibilities.
Therefore, simply opening any ordinary Hong Kong bank account or securities account is not sufficient for an investment immigration application.
- Do You Need to Invest HKD 30 Million for Hong Kong Investment Immigration?
Yes.
Currently, the Hong Kong New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme requires applicants to invest no less than HKD 30 million in permissible investment assets.
Among this amount:
At least HKD 27 million must be invested in permissible financial assets and/or eligible Hong Kong real estate;
An additional HKD 3 million must be placed into the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme portfolio.
Permissible financial assets include qualifying Hong Kong listed shares, debt securities, certificates of deposit, subordinated debt, eligible collective investment schemes, and limited partnership funds, among others.
Real estate can also account for a portion of the investment requirements, but subject to an investment cap: a maximum of HKD 15 million in total for real estate, of which residential real estate is capped at a maximum of HKD 10 million, and residential properties must also meet the requirement of a single property transaction price of not less than HKD 30 million.
In addition, the HKD 3 million placed in the scheme portfolio has a lock-up period and does not guarantee capital preservation or dividend distribution. Investors need to fully understand the associated risks.
- Can All Chinese Mainland Residents Apply for Hong Kong Investment Immigration?
No.
This is an issue that many applicants easily overlook.
Currently, the eligible targets of the scheme include:
Foreign nationals (excluding nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, and North Korea);
Chinese nationals who have obtained permanent resident status in a foreign country;
Residents of the Macao Special Administrative Region;
Chinese residents of Taiwan.
In other words, ordinary mainland Chinese residents who have not obtained foreign permanent resident status cannot apply for this scheme simply by possessing HKD 30 million in assets.
In addition to nationality and residency status, applicants must also prove that they have been the beneficial owner of net assets of not less than HKD 30 million or equivalent foreign currency throughout the six months preceding the submission of the net asset review application, and meet other entry and economic capability requirements.
- What Is the Correct Procedure to Apply for Hong Kong Investment Immigration?
This scheme involves asset review, investment arrangements, and immigration approval; you cannot simply transfer HKD 30 million to a Hong Kong account to obtain residency status.
Typically, the following steps are required:
Step 1: Apply to InvestHK for a net asset review to prove compliance with the prescribed asset conditions.
Step 2: Upon passing the net asset review, submit the immigration application to the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
Step 3: Upon obtaining approval-in-principle, complete the permissible investments within the prescribed timeframe.
Step 4: Submit the investment compliance review to the new scheme office, proving that the investment amount and asset categories meet the requirements.
Step 5: Upon passing the investment compliance review, the Immigration Department will continue processing and grant formal approval.
If applicants wish their spouse and unmarried dependent children under 18 to accompany them to Hong Kong, they must also simultaneously consider dependent visa applications and related supporting documentation for family members.
How Easysail Global Can Assist You
If you are considering the Hong Kong New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, or already hold overseas permanent resident status and wish to plan your Hong Kong identity through investment, you can share your nationality, residency status, asset composition, holding duration, and family situation with Easysail Global.
We can analyze your actual situation and help you clarify:
Whether you belong to the eligible target group of the Hong Kong investment immigration scheme;
Whether your existing assets meet the HKD 30 million net asset requirement;
Whether your asset holding duration and ownership proofs are complete;
Whether the financial assets and real estate you intend to invest in comply with regulations;
How designated accounts should be arranged;
How spouses and children can synchronously plan their Hong Kong identity;
What matters require attention regarding subsequent investment management, visa renewal, and long-term status.
If you are considering a Hong Kong identity, overseas status, investment immigration, second passport, or long-term family planning, relying solely on online information to make decisions on your own is not recommended.
Every family's budget, assets, children's education, living arrangements, tax status, and future goals are different; a program that suits others may not suit you.
You can send your basic situation to Easysail Global, and we can provide an initial assessment for you:
Which country or region's identity pathway suits you best;
Whether you currently meet the application criteria;
Whether your budget matches;
What materials need to be prepared in advance;
Whether there are more reliable alternative solutions;
Which risks need to be avoided before application.
Assessing things clearly first, before deciding whether to proceed, is usually much more important than blindly following a program.
Official Policy References
Hong Kong New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme: Eligibility Criteria
Hong Kong New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme: Investment Requirements
Hong Kong New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme: Official FAQs