Hong Kong's New Capital Investment Scheme Attracts HK$95 Billion in Global Investments Since 2024 Launch

Two-year milestone: New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme attracts nearly 3 200 applications with expected investment of about HK$95 billion, reflecting global confidence in Hong Kong

The New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES) has steadily attracted global high-net-worth individuals and capital inflows to Hong Kong since its launch in March 2024. As at February 28, 2026, Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) has received nearly 3 200 applications, representing an anticipated investment value of about HK$95 billion for the city, further reinforcing its leading position as an international wealth management centre.

Over the past two years, the New CIES has progressed through an initial phase of foundation and awareness-building, followed by regular reviews and enhancements of the Scheme, resulting in sustained growth and breakthroughs. This robust trajectory fully reflects Hong Kong's competitive edge in the global investment landscape and demonstrates the market's confidence. InvestHK and the Immigration Department (ImmD) have deepened their collaboration in processing New CIES applications, providing tailored facilitation for applicants to invest and settle in the city.

Here is the latest data for the New CIES:

Figures (as at February 28, 2026)

Number of applications received by InvestHK

3 166

Number of applications that have completed investments and received "formal approval" from the ImmD

1 762

Expected investment amount to be brought into Hong Kong

about HK$95 billion

For applications verified by InvestHK as meeting investment requirements as at February 28, 2026, the investment capital distribution is as follows:

Permissible investment assets

Investment amount (HK$ Million)

Percentage (%)

Securities and Futures Commission-authorised Funds

21,448

38.6%

Equities

16,116

29.0%

Debt securities

5,276

9.5%

Investment-linked assurance schemes

5,498

9.9%

Others

1,787

3.2%

CIES Investment Portfolio*

5,511

9.9%

Total

55,636

100.0%

*Including capital pending deployment

For detailed charts of the cumulative application figures and distribution of the investment amounts, please refer to the Appendix.

In response to market demand, the Government continues to enhance the arrangements under the New CIES. After taking into account of the industry views, the New CIES has updated the conditions of a private holding company starting from March 1, 2026, allowing an applicant to use an eligible private holding company which has been set up in less than six months for his/her application for assessment on investment requirements without a minimum incorporation period. This measure offers investors greater flexibility in asset allocation.

With regard to the promotion of the CIES Investment Portfolio, InvestHK is actively supporting the work of the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited. The 2025 batch of capital also commenced capital allocations this quarter, with investments exceeding HK$3 billion. These funds will be strategically deployed across a range of investment themes, including AI-enabled applications, sustainable technologies, materials science, and biotechnology, etc. This initiative not only provides fresh impetus to the city's economy but also supports the development of the local innovation and technology ecosystem, fosters corporate growth, and enhances Hong Kong's competitiveness both regionally and globally.

The Director of Immigration, Mr Benson Kwok, stated: "Hong Kong has been actively implementing a diverse range of talent admission schemes, and we are pleased to see the positive market response to the New CIES. Together with other admission schemes, these programmes work in synergy to attract talent and capital from around the world, supporting Hong Kong's sustainable development and long-term competitiveness."

The Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, said, "Upon arriving in Hong Kong, investors under the New CIES will not only bring substantial capital inflows but also generate ripple effects across real estate, dining, retail, education, and lifestyle services. This will stimulate both high-end and daily consumption, subsequently creating economic benefits for local small and medium-sized enterprises and professional service sectors. The New CIES also bolsters Hong Kong's innovation and technology sector, particularly as its investment portfolio spans both innovation and technology as well as other strategic fields. By providing funding support to start-ups and research projects, it accelerates the commercialisation and industrialisation of innovative achievements, further positioning Hong Kong as Asia's innovation and technology powerhouse."

In March 2023, the Hong Kong Government issued the Policy Statement on the Development of Family Office Business in Hong Kong, introducing a series of measures to enhance the city's competitiveness in family offices and wealth management, including the New CIES. This initiative aligns seamlessly with the robust momentum of family office growth, as both have recorded strong expansion, together reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a global wealth management hub.

Over the past year, InvestHK has pursued a comprehensive promotion strategy, publishing feature articles in key markets across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas, as well as in local media. The department has also leveraged social media platforms to disseminate information and promote the New CIES. In addition, InvestHK has actively broadened its promotional outreach through overseas visits, investor conferences, and organising briefings in collaboration with chambers of commerce, industry associations, professional bodies, and network of family office service providers.

For more information about the New CIES, please visit www.newcies.gov.hk.

The Director of Immigration, Mr Benson Kwok (second right), met with the Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Ms Alpha Lau (second left); the Assistant Director of Immigration (Visa and Policies), Mr Yung Wing-ching (first right) and the Chief Executive Officer of New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme Office, Mr Joseph Yu (first left) to further deepen collaboration in processing New New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme applications, providing tailored facilitation for applicants to invest and settle in the city. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Director of Immigration, Mr Benson Kwok (right) and the Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Ms Alpha Lau (left) jointly present the two-year achievements of New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Online appointment for counter services for direct issue of Hong Kong Full Driving Licence to be fully implemented from March 16

The Transport Department (TD) today (March 2) announced that the full implementation of online appointment for counter services for applications for the direct issue of the Hong Kong Full Driving Licence ("direct issue") will be launched from March 16 with increased booking slots. Such counter services will also be extended to all four Licensing Offices to provide greater convenience to applicants and make better use of resources. The "Online Same-day Queue Ticket" arrangement will be cancelled on March 16.

Increasing processing capacity

Starting from March 16, the booking slots for "direct issue" counter services will be increased to 550 per working day, and the service will be expanded to all four Licensing Offices. To divert applicants more effectively, the new "direct issue" counter services at the Kowloon Licensing Office at Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, the Kwun Tong Licensing Office at Kowloon East Government Offices and the Sha Tin Licensing Office at Sha Tin Government Offices will be designated to process applications submitted with Mainland driving licences. The Hong Kong Licensing Office at United Centre, Admiralty, will continue to handle applications submitted with driving licences issued by all recognised countries or places (including Mainland).

Full implementation of online appointment to improve application procedures and user experience

From the same day, to ensure fair use of services by applicants in an orderly manner, all applicants must make an advance appointment for "direct issue" counter services via the designated online appointment booking system (ABS) (www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/drivinglicense/diabs.htm) (open on March 10), and submit their applications at the designated Licensing Office according to the booked date and time. This will save queuing time and also improve crowd management. Same-day ticketing arrangement will be ceased on March 16. Applicants who have already secured an appointment for counter service via the ABS beforehand are not affected.

To allow applicants to make appointments for additional slots in an orderly manner, the TD will launch the enhanced ABS on March 10, and open new booking slots from March 16 to April 10 (four weeks in total) in batches from March 10 to 13. The detailed arrangements are as follows:

Time

New appointment slots open for booking

5pm, March 10

March 16 to March 20

5pm, March 11

March 23 to March 27

5pm, March 12

March 30 to April 2

5pm, March 13

April 8 to April 10

Starting March 16, the system will open up available booking slots in the coming four weeks for booking, and the slots will be updated at 5pm on every working day.

Applicants are required to verify their identity when making a booking. Hong Kong identity card (HKIC) holders must log in using a registered "iAM Smart" account; while non-HKIC holders or those who have not registered an "iAM Smart" account must upload their identity document and driving licence as instructed by the system. All applicants have to provide an email address to receive the one-time password for verification. If any information provided or submitted is found to be untrue, the appointment will be cancelled and such quota will be released for booking by other applicants, enabling more effective system operation. The eligibility criteria, necessary documents and applicable vehicle classes of "direct issue" applications remain unchanged.

The enhanced online ABS has been integrated with various measures on security and online traffic management, including a human-machine verification mechanism and a virtual queue management solution. Such measures can detect and block automated programmes from snapping up bookings while regulating traffic as appropriate, thereby ensuring a smooth appointment booking process.

A spokesman for the TD said, "We will continue to process and verify each 'direct issue' application in a stringent manner. Applicants must submit sufficient, true and accurate supporting documents to prove that they fully meet the eligibility criteria stipulated under the law for their applications to be approved."

The TD will closely monitor the implementation of the new arrangements to ensure smooth system operation, and will put up notices at the Licensing Offices. The TD will also continue to actively explore the use of technology to further streamline the "direct issue" application procedures, with a view to providing greater convenience for applicants to submit applications.

Following the full implementation of online appointment for counter services, the 24-hour Appointment Booking Service at 3763 8080 will stop providing bookings for "direct issue" counter services concurrently.

Source: AI-found images