South African nationals can pursue Hong Kong residency through the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, the territory's route for entrants who place significant capital into permitted assets.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
South African passport holders qualify as foreign nationals under the scheme. The published rules currently exclude only nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, so a South African national is not barred on nationality grounds.
Applicants must be at least 18, meet normal security and immigration checks, and show the required net assets. Confirm your own position with the Immigration Department before acting.
The scheme asks the entrant to commit a set amount of capital into permitted investment assets and into a dedicated portfolio managed by a government linked body. Permitted assets can include certain financial products and qualifying real estate within set limits.
This is a residency route rather than a citizenship route. It can lead toward permanent residency over time if the entrant keeps the investment and meets the residence rules.
Entrants and their dependants may apply for permanent residency after not less than seven years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong, subject to the usual rules. Confirm current processing times with the official authority.
The figures below are indicative and based on published scheme rules. Confirm the current thresholds with the official authority before relying on any number.
| Item | Indicative amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum net assets | HKD 30 million | Held throughout the six months before applying |
| Permissible asset investment | HKD 27 million | In permitted financial assets or qualifying real estate |
| CIES Investment Portfolio | HKD 3 million | Placed with the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited |
| Real estate counted | Up to HKD 10 million | A single residential property must be HKD 50 million or above to count |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
Yes. The scheme is open to foreign nationals and currently excludes only nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Confirm your status with the Immigration Department before applying.
Entrants and dependants may apply for permanent residency after not less than seven years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong, subject to the usual rules.
Dependants may be included under the scheme rules. Confirm the current definition of eligible dependants with the official authority.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
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