There is no specific visa available for those who wish to retire in Hong Kong. However, there are a couple of options.
Besides applying for permanent residency (which requires you to have resided in Hong Kong for not less than seven years prior to your application), if you have the financial means and intend to make Hong Kong your home, you can apply for a visa under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme. The objective of the scheme is to facilitate the entry for residence by people who make capital investments in Hong Kong, without the need to establish or join a business.
| Visa Type Required | Capital Investment Entrant Scheme |
| Required in Advance? | Though the visa need not be secured in advanced, in-principle approval must be secured before arrival in Hong Kong. This in-principal approval will permit you the ability to come and live in Hong Kong for three months and once the threshold limit of the the investment limit has been reached your approval will become formal. |
| Validity | Once an applicant receives in-principle approval, he will be initially allowed to enter Hong Kong on visitor status for three months. If evidence of active progress in investment can be shown, his visitor status can be extended for another three months. When the entrant has furnished proof that the requisite level of investment has been made, a two-year visa will be issued. Further two-year extensions will be granted if the entrant can demonstrate that he continues to meet the criteria and portfolio requirements. Upon completion of seven years of residence in Hong Kong, the entrant may apply for permanent residency. |
| Number of Entries | Within this period a re-entry visa is not required provided that the holder returns within their valid limit of stay and that their personal circumstances have not changed. |
| Nationalities Exempt | Applicable to all nationalities (except nationals of Afghanistan, Albania, Cuba and North Korea). However, residents of Mainland China are exempt from the scheme unless they have permanent residency in a foreign country. |
| Required Documents / Specific Conditions | To qualify for admission under the scheme, the applicant must invest at least HK$10million in “permissible investment asset classes” in Hong Kong, such as equities, debt securities, certificate of deposits, subordinated debts and approved unit trusts and mutual funds. This threshold will be reviewed every three years. Real estate is currently suspended temporarily as a class of Permissible Investment Assets (PIA) under the CIES.
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| Additional Specific Conditions | The applicant must not have an adverse record both in Hong Kong or the country/region of residence, and must also be capable of supporting and accommodating himself and his dependents, without relying on any returns on the investment assets, employment, or public assistance in Hong Kong. |
| Dependent’s Rights | Visa holders may be allowed to bring in their dependents provided that he/she is capable of supporting and accommodating the dependents without relying on any return on the investment assets, employment or public assistance in Hong Kong. Dependents may work or study in Hong Kong, and operate their own businesses. |
| Application Process | The completed application along with supporting documents must be submitted to the Hong Kong Immigration Department by post. The application processing time is about 4-6 weeks |
| Additional Comments | To ensure that the entrant does not reduce the capital commitment in Hong Kong, portfolio maintenance and “ring-fencing” requirements will be imposed during the validity of the visa period. In addition, regular reporting to the appropriate government authorities will also be required. You do not have to top up the investment should the market value fall below the minimum level, but you will also not be allowed to withdraw any capital gain from your investment if its value rises above the requisite level |
| For More Information | http://www.immd.gov.hk/en/services/hk-visas/capital-investment-entrant.html |
