Hong Kong New CIES draws 3,200 applications as Globevisa handles about 10%

Hong Kong’s New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme has drawn nearly 3,200 applications globally by mid-2026, with Globevisa Group saying it has filed more than 350 cases. The program’s appeal is being offset by strict asset-verification rules, a seven-year investment commitment and a standard approval process that can take 6 to 9 months.

Why it matters: - Hong Kong’s New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme is channeling global high-net-worth wealth into the city’s capital markets. - The program is expected to inject more than HKD 95 billion in liquidity into Hong Kong. - The scheme matters to investors because approval depends on rigorous asset checks, and the long-term compliance period lasts seven years.

What happened: - The Hong Kong New CIES has drawn nearly 3,200 applications globally as of mid-2026. - Globevisa Group says it has filed more than 350 of those applications, or about one-tenth of the market total. - Globevisa Group describes itself as an international residency planning and cross-border wealth migration consulting firm. - The company says approximately 80% of the clients it has assisted have received approval letters from the Hong Kong Immigration Department and completed Hong Kong identity card registration.

The details: - Applicants must show continuous and absolute beneficial ownership of net assets worth at least HKD 30 million during the two years before applying. - The scheme does not require mandatory physical residence in Hong Kong or local address proof. - Asset verification commonly examines overseas financial assets, multiple real estate holdings and corporate equity documents. - Financial assets such as stocks and funds must be supported by a Net Asset Statement issued by a Hong Kong Certified Public Accountant. - The gap between the Net Asset Statement issue date and submission date cannot exceed 14 calendar days. - The standard approval cycle is 6 to 9 months. - Policy changes implemented on March 1, 2025 broadened net-asset calculations to include jointly owned absolute beneficial shares with family members and investments held by wholly owned qualifying private companies. - The approval logic now covers asset authenticity, holding periods and compliance, not just a simple threshold test. - Globevisa Group says well-structured cases that completed overseas asset ownership proofs and equity verification before submission passed the asset review stage in 1 to 2 working days. - During the seven-year residency period, investors must submit an annual accountant report to InvestHK. - Investors must renew visas in the second and fifth years. - If asset substitution occurs, such as stock trading, bond maturity or fund redemption, the funds must be reinvested into permitted asset classes within 14 days.

Between the lines: - The scheme’s demand reflects continued interest in cross-border asset allocation among wealthy investors. - The hardest part is not the investment itself but proving ownership, structure and compliance across complex portfolios. - The policy appears to favor applicants who prepare documentation early and use standardized verification methods. - The long compliance window makes provider continuity a practical concern for applicants. - Globevisa Group points to its history with the prior Capital Investment Entrant Scheme as evidence of long-term operational experience. - The company says it has supported nearly 6,000 family units globally, with clients in Canada, Australia, the United States, Taiwan and Cambodia.

What’s next: - Applicants entering the program still face a 7-year investment maintenance obligation before becoming eligible for Unconditional Stay or Hong Kong Permanent Residency. - Asset substitutions and reinvestment decisions will continue to require tight compliance management throughout the residency period. - Hong Kong’s ongoing review of penetration checks suggests the program will remain documentation-heavy and process-driven.

The bottom line: - The New CIES is proving attractive, but approval and long-term compliance depend on strict asset verification and disciplined planning.