Hong Kong: all programs

Hong Kong at a glance

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China on the country's southern coast, with about 7.5 million residents on Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon peninsula and the New Territories. Under one country, two systems it has its own currency, law based on English law, taxes and immigration rules. The official languages are Chinese and English, and Cantonese is spoken day to day. The Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar at about 7.85.

Hong Kong is one of the world's main financial centres: the stock exchange, private banks, wealth management, and trade and logistics between China and the rest of the world.

Who the move suits

• investors with capital from $3.9 million who need residence without starting a business;
• high-earning professionals and graduates of the world's leading universities;
• entrepreneurs trading with China and Asia;
• holding company owners who value low taxes and access to Asian capital markets.

It is harder for those seeking affordable living and spacious housing: rent is among the highest in the world and flats are small.

Entry rules

How long you can visit without a visa depends on your passport; citizens of Russia, for example, can stay up to 14 days. Working and living require a permit from the Immigration Department, obtained before the move, after which you enter on the visa issued. Many first come for a short visit to see districts and schools and meet banks.

The first 30 days in Hong Kong

1. Identity card. Anyone permitted to stay for more than 180 days registers for a Hong Kong identity card within 30 days of arrival. It is issued free of charge and makes everything else easier: a bank account, a lease, a phone contract, public hospitals.
2. Housing. Leases are usually signed for 2 years. Flats are small, so districts are viewed in advance: many come for a short visit before the move.
3. Account. A professional with a work visa is welcomed by banks, which ask for the visa, the employment contract and an address. Without a link to Hong Kong the chances are lower.
4. Transport. The metro, buses, trams and ferries all run on one transport card, and a car is not needed in the city.
5. School and insurance. Places at international schools are allocated in advance, and private clinics are expensive, so health insurance is arranged straight away.

Budget for the first 3 months

For rent alone one person needs from $3,900 for three months; a family with children at an international school needs far more. A manager will do the full calculation for your family and district in the chat.

Residence options

• The New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme - since 1 March 2024: net assets from $3.9 million throughout the 6 months before applying, investments in shares, bonds, funds and up to $2 million in housing priced from $3.9 million per property, plus about $390,000 in the scheme's portfolio. The first permit is for up to 24 months, then renewals of up to 3 years.
• The Top Talent Pass - for people with annual income from $320,000 or graduates of the world's top universities.
• Employment - under a contract with a local employer.
• The Quality Migrant Admission Scheme - points-based selection for education, experience and age.

Permanent residence is granted after 7 years of continuous residence. We check the assets and their source and prepare the file for the Investment Promotion Agency and the Immigration Department.

Taxes

Hong Kong taxes only Hong Kong-source income. Companies pay 8.25% on the first $260,000 of profit and 16.5% above. Salaries tax runs at 2-17% but no more than 15% of total income, and 16% on income above $640,000. There is no VAT, dividend tax, capital gains tax or inheritance tax. More in taxes in Hong Kong.

Cost of living

The rate is about 7.85 Hong Kong dollars per US dollar on 6 October 2026, and amounts are rounded up. A one-bedroom flat here is usually 35-55 square metres. Public transport and local food are inexpensive, while international schools and imported groceries are costly.

Where to live

• Mid-Levels and Central - above the business district, close to offices, restaurants and the hillside escalator.
• Sheung Wan and Wan Chai - lively neighbourhoods, slightly cheaper than the centre.
• The island's south side - Repulse Bay and Stanley, beaches and quiet for families.
• Sai Kung - houses with gardens by the sea in the New Territories.
• Discovery Bay - a car-free community on Lantau, popular with families with children.

Property for foreigners

There are no nationality restrictions. Since 28 February 2024 the extra duties for buyers who are not permanent residents and the duty on quick resale have been abolished, so a foreigner pays the same stamp duty as a resident. Since 26 February 2025 the duty on homes up to $510,000 is just about $15, and on homes above $13 million it is 6.5%. Buying does not by itself grant residence, but homes priced from $3.9 million count towards the investor scheme. Prices and how the purchase works are in our article on buying an apartment in Hong Kong. We find the property and close the deal.

Family, schools, healthcare

The spouse and children under 18 of a permit holder receive dependant visas for the same period as the main applicant. Hong Kong has many international schools teaching British, American and international curricula, but places at popular schools are allocated well in advance and fees are high. Public schools teach mainly in Chinese. With a Hong Kong identity card, residents are treated in public hospitals for a small fee, while private clinics are faster but much more expensive.

Companies

A company is registered online in a few days and needs a director, a secretary and a local address. The main difficulty is not registration but the bank account: banks check real activity and the business link to Hong Kong. The procedure and prices are in our article on Hong Kong company registration. We register the company and support opening a business account.

Banks

Banks are supervised by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and check non-residents strictly. A residence permit is not mandatory, but without a link to Hong Kong it is hard to open an account.

• A resident with an identity card or a professional with a work visa: high chances; the bank asks for the card or visa, an address and proof of income.
• An owner of a Hong Kong company: medium chances; company documents and a business link to Hong Kong are needed.
• A non-resident with no link to Hong Kong: usually only private or premium banking with a large balance.

An account is almost always opened with a branch visit. Deposits are protected up to $110,000 per depositor per bank, and there is no tax on interest. Banks report foreigners' account details to their country of tax residence.

Hong Kong itself applies only UN Security Council sanctions, but banks working with the US dollar and European partners follow US and European Union restrictions. So large international banks are reluctant to take citizens of sanctioned countries such as Russia, while local banks and banks with mainland Chinese capital consider them case by case. We help open a personal account.

Climate and daily life

The climate is subtropical: from May to September it is 30-33°C with high humidity and downpours, and typhoons occur from May to November, closing offices and schools. Winter is mild at 15-20°C. The metro, buses, trams and ferries all run on one transport card. Healthcare is strong and private clinics are expensive, so insurance is needed. Street crime is low.