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On April 21, 2017 I gave a talk at WYND Co-working space in Lan Kwai Fong entitled 10 Steps to a Successful Hong Kong Entrepreneur Visa Application.

PRACTICE UPDATE: How the content must now be read in light of current ImmD policy:

Historically, Step 4 of this series tackled the central legal hurdle under the General Employment Policy: proving that an applicant is in a position to make a “substantial contribution to the economy of the HKSAR.” The Geeza framed this approvability test as an open, qualitative canvas where resourceful entrepreneurs could craft a persuasive narrative around their commercial value. Foreign founders were advised that substantial contribution was not solely measured by sheer capital or instant corporate scale; introducing specialized skills, establishing international trade connections, generating indirect business for local suppliers, and committing modest seed capital of a few hundred thousand dollars from a serviced office desk were routinely accepted by ImmD as sufficient evidence of economic value, with local job creation allowed to follow organically over a two- to three-year period.

The game has changed from a flexible, qualitative narrative into an uncompromising balance-sheet and hardware audit. ImmD no longer accepts theoretical economic contribution, indirect commercial benefits, or forward-looking business plans as proof of value. Under post-April 2026 administrative practice aligned with TTPS Category A operational substance (~HKD 2.5M enterprise scale), substantial contribution is strictly defined by verifiable, day-one infrastructure: HKD 1.5M–2.0M in deployed corporate bank liquidity, an executed commercial lease for exclusive physical premises (“four walls”) disqualifying serviced or co-working desks entirely, and active Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) payroll contributions for 2–3 local Hong Kong permanent residents. Unless a venture has gained admission into an officially accredited government incubator (such as Cyberport or HKSTP), attempting to argue substantial contribution on the basis of lean capital, boutique consultancy, or projected commercial impact will result in swift and summary refusal.

This segment is Step Four – How Do You Make A Substantial Contribution?

The Rest of the Series

Introduction

How We Got Here

Must Have Resources

The Startup Visa

Step 1 – Understand Policy

Step 2 – Do You Have a Visa Problem?

Step 3 – Are You An Employee?

Step 4 – A Substantial Contribution?

Step 5 – 3 Crucial Elements

Step 6 – Have You Got Enough $$?

Step 7 – A Properly Set Up Office

Step 8 – Creating Local Jobs

Step 9 – Economic Sector Advantages?

Step 10 – D-I-Y Application

DOWNLOADS

Presentation Slides

Accredited Startup Programmes in Hong Kong

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