The Investment as Entrepreneurs (IE) visa scheme is a special migration visa scheme in Hong Kong that allows foreign entrepreneurs to relocate to Hong Kong to operate their own business. The IE visa is essentially a type of work permit that is issued to the owner of a business as an employee of his/her Hong Kong company.
To be eligible for the IE visa, you must meet the following criteria:
You must be a non-permanent resident of Hong Kong.
You must have a net worth of at least HK$10 million.
You must have a business plan that demonstrates that your business will make a significant contribution to the economy of Hong Kong.
You must be able to speak and understand English or Chinese.
If you are eligible for the IE visa, you will be granted an initial stay of 36 months. You may apply for extension of stay in Hong Kong within four weeks before your limit of stay expires. Successful applicants will normally be granted an extension of stay following the 3-2 year pattern, on employment condition.
There are a number of benefits to obtaining an IE visa, including:
The ability to live and work in Hong Kong.
The ability to bring your spouse and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18 to Hong Kong.
The ability to apply for permanent residency in Hong Kong after 7 years of continuous residency.
If you are interested in applying for the IE visa, you should contact the Immigration Department of Hong Kong for more information.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
Why Hong Kong
There are many reasons why you might want to consider the Investment as Entrepreneurs (IE) visa scheme in Hong Kong. Here are some of the most common reasons:
Hong Kong is a global financial center with a strong economy. The city is home to a number of multinational corporations and financial institutions, and it is a major center for trade and investment. This means that there are many opportunities for entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has a low corporate tax rate. The corporate tax rate in Hong Kong is 16.5%, which is one of the lowest in the world. This makes it a very attractive place to set up a business.
Hong Kong is a free port. This means that there are no import or export duties on goods entering or leaving Hong Kong. This can save businesses a significant amount of money.
Hong Kong has a highly skilled workforce. The education system in Hong Kong is very good, and there is a large pool of skilled workers available. This makes it easy for businesses to find the talent they need to succeed.
Hong Kong is a convenient place to live and work. The city is well-connected to the rest of the world, and it has a good infrastructure. This makes it easy for businesses to operate in Hong Kong.
Of course, there are also some challenges to consider if you are thinking about applying for the IE visa in Hong Kong. These challenges include:
The net worth requirement is high. You must have a net worth of at least HK$10 million to qualify for the IE visa. This is a significant amount of money, and it may not be possible for everyone to meet this requirement.
The business plan requirement is rigorous. You must submit a detailed business plan as part of your IE visa application. This plan must be well-written and comprehensive, and it must demonstrate that your business has the potential to be successful in Hong Kong.
The application process is complex. The application process for the IE visa is complex, and it can be time-consuming. You will need to gather a lot of documentation, and you will need to be prepared to answer a lot of questions.
Overall, the Investment as Entrepreneurs (IE) visa scheme in Hong Kong can be a great option for entrepreneurs who are looking to start or grow their businesses in a global financial center. However, it is important to be aware of the challenges involved before you apply for the visa.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the Investment as Entrepreneurs (IE) visa in Hong Kong are as follows:
You must be a non-permanent resident of Hong Kong.
You must have a net worth of at least HK$10 million.
You must have a business plan that demonstrates that your business will make a significant contribution to the economy of Hong Kong.
You must be able to speak and understand English or Chinese.
The net worth requirement can be met through a combination of personal assets and business assets. The business plan must be comprehensive and should include details of the business's products or services, market analysis, marketing strategy, and financial projections.
The Immigration Department of Hong Kong will consider the following factors when assessing your application for the IE visa:
The nature of your business and its potential to make a significant contribution to the economy of Hong Kong.
Your educational background and professional experience.
Your language proficiency.
Your financial resources.
Your personal and business ties to Hong Kong.
If you are eligible for the IE visa, you will be granted an initial stay of 36 months. You may apply for extension of stay in Hong Kong within four weeks before your limit of stay expires. Successful applicants will normally be granted an extension of stay following the 3-2 year pattern, on employment condition.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
Entry of Dependants
The spouse and unmarried dependent children under the age of 18 of an applicant for the Investment as Entrepreneurs (IE) visa in Hong Kong are eligible to enter Hong Kong as dependants.
To be eligible to enter Hong Kong as a dependant of an IE visa holder, you must meet the following criteria:
You must be the spouse or unmarried dependent child under the age of 18 of the IE visa holder.
You must have a valid passport.
You must have a medical certificate stating that you are free from any contagious diseases.
You must have sufficient funds to support yourself and your dependants in Hong Kong.
You must apply for a dependant visa separately from the IE visa holder. The application process is similar to the application process for the IE visa. You will need to submit the following documents:
A completed application form ID 997.
A copy of your passport.
A medical certificate.
Proof of your financial resources.
A letter from the IE visa holder stating that you are their spouse or unmarried dependent child.
The Immigration Department of Hong Kong will consider the following factors when assessing your application for a dependant visa:
The relationship between you and the IE visa holder.
Your financial resources.
Your health.
Your ties to Hong Kong.
If your application is successful, you will be granted a dependant visa for a period of 36 months. You may apply for extension of stay in Hong Kong within four weeks before your limit of stay expires. Successful applicants will normally be granted an extension of stay following the 3-2 year pattern, on employment condition.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
Processing Time
The processing time for the Investment as Entrepreneurs (IE) visa in Hong Kong is typically 4 weeks. However, the processing time may vary depending on the complexity of the application and the workload of the Immigration Department.
If you are applying for the IE visa, it is important to submit all of the required documents as soon as possible. This will help to ensure that your application is processed as quickly as possible.
The following documents are required for the IE visa application:
A completed application form ID 997.
A copy of your passport.
A medical certificate.
Proof of your financial resources.
A business plan.
A letter from your bank stating that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your dependants in Hong Kong.
You can submit your IE visa application online or by post. If you are submitting your application by post, you must send it to the following address:
Immigration Department 3rd Floor, Immigration Tower 13 Immigration Tower Road Wan Chai Hong Kong
If you have any questions about the IE visa application process, you can contact the Immigration Department of Hong Kong.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
How Bestar can Help
Bestar is a Hong Kong-based immigration consultancy firm that specializes in helping entrepreneurs obtain the Investment as Entrepreneurs (IE) visa. They have a team of experienced immigration consultants who can help you with every step of the application process.
Bestar can help you with the following:
Understanding the IE visa requirements. Bestar can help you understand the eligibility criteria for the IE visa and make sure that you meet all of the requirements.
Preparing your business plan. Bestar can help you prepare a detailed business plan that demonstrates the potential of your business to be successful in Hong Kong.
Gathering the required documentation. Bestar can help you gather all of the required documentation for your IE visa application.
Advising you on the application process. Bestar can advise you on the application process and make sure that you submit your application correctly.
Representing you at the Immigration Department. If necessary, Bestar can represent you at the Immigration Department during your IE visa application interview.
Bestar has a proven track record of helping entrepreneurs obtain the IE visa. They have helped hundreds of entrepreneurs start or grow their businesses in Hong Kong. If you are considering applying for the IE visa, Bestar is a great option to help you with the process.
Here are some of the benefits of working with Bestar:
Expertise: Bestar has a team of experienced immigration lawyers and consultants who are experts in the IE visa application process.
Personalized service: Bestar will work with you one-on-one to understand your needs and ensure that your application is successful.
If you are interested in learning more about how Bestar can help you with your IE visa application, you can visit their website or contact them for a consultation.
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