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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 7 of this series explored what ImmD deemed a “properly set up office” to satisfy the business premises requirement under the General Employment Policy. The Geeza offered pragmatic, cost-saving counsel: recognizing that lean startups and service-oriented businesses needed to protect their cash flow rather than sink precious capital into lengthy commercial leases and expensive office fit-outs, ImmD took an accommodating, commercially realistic approach. Case officers routinely accepted flexible serviced business centers, co-working desks, and shared executive suites as perfectly viable operational bases, provided the commercial footprint aligned logically with the nature of the business and its modest initial seed capital of a few hundred thousand dollars.

The game has changed from administrative acceptance of flexible workstations into an uncompromising physical premises mandate. Serviced offices, co-working memberships, shared hot-desks, and virtual business addresses are now completely disqualified for investment as entrepreneur visas. Under post-April 2026 administrative practice aligned with TTPS Category A operational substance (~HKD 2.5M enterprise scale), ImmD strictly demands dedicated, standalone physical premises—verifiable “four walls” secured via an executed commercial lease agreement in the company’s name, corroborated by stamped tenancy agreements, floor plans, and photographic proof of exclusive occupation. When combined with mandatory requirements for HKD 1.5M–2.0M in deployed corporate bank liquidity and active MPF contributions for 2–3 local permanent residents, failing to commit to an independent physical commercial premises guarantees swift and summary refusal, unless the venture has secured admission into an accredited government incubator.

This segment is Step Seven – A Properly Set Up Office.

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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