Hong Kong Visas Made Easy

How To Start A Business In Hong Kong As A Foreigner – Hiring Yourself

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Investment Visas, Musing / No responses

I recently gave a talk at Campfire Collaborative Space on the topic of how to start a business in Hong Kong as a foreigner, which in essence is the journey of getting a Business Investment Visa as an Entrepreneur after the implementation of the Enhancement Measures in 2015 and the Audit Commission Report Number 66 from 2016.

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

Historically, this practical guide provided a self-directed, step-by-step roadmap for a foreign national to incorporate a Hong Kong entity and secure an investment as entrepreneur visa without paying for professional advisory support. The Geeza framed the DIY route as entirely achievable for resourceful founders: by diligently following statutory incorporation steps, assembling a comprehensive business plan, securing a flexible serviced office address, depositing modest working capital of a few hundred thousand dollars, and charting a gradual local hiring timeline over two to three years, an applicant could navigate the approvability test. ImmD case officers were historically receptive to well-organized, earnest DIY applications, offering leeway through iterative requests for information (RFIs) to help promising, lean startups cross the finish line.

The game has changed from an accessible, narrative-driven DIY exercise into an unforgiving, high-stakes corporate compliance gauntlet. Today, attempting a self-directed entrepreneur visa filing on the basis of a standard business plan, lean seed funding, and serviced office space will result in immediate failure. Post-April 2026 administrative practice subjects all new ventures to TTPS Category A operational substance benchmarks (~HKD 2.5M enterprise scale). An applicant cannot rely on procedural diligence or persuasive explanations alone; the business must substantiate live operational hardware upfront: HKD 1.5M–2.0M in deployed corporate bank liquidity, an executed commercial lease for exclusive physical premises (“four walls”), and active MPF payroll for 2–3 local permanent residents. Unless the founder has already secured admission into an officially accredited government incubator (such as Cyberport or HKSTP), submitting an unassisted DIY application without these heavy institutional fundamentals guarantees swift and summary refusal.

In this segment I talk about the fallacy of “Employing Yourself”.

The Rest of the Talk

Introduction

How We Got Here

Must Have Resources

The Startup Visa

Business Investment As An Entrepreneur (Visa)

Three Elements To Approval

Have You Got Enough Money?

Is Your Business Sustainable?

A Properly Set Up Office

How About Local Jobs?

Economic Sector Advantages

Hiring Yourself

D-I-Y Application

 

Important Materials Referenced In The Presentation

10 Must-Have Resources for Any Hong Kong Investment Visa Application

Accredited Startup Programmes in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Visa Handbook Free Kits

Your Questions Answered

 

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How To Start A Business In Hong Kong As A Foreigner – Economic Sector Advantages

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Investment Visas, Musing / No responses

I recently gave a talk at Campfire Collaborative Space on the topic of how to start a business in Hong Kong as a foreigner, which in essence is the journey of getting a Business Investment Visa as an Entrepreneur after the implementation of the Enhancement Measures in 2015 and the Audit Commission Report Number 66 from 2016.

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

In this segment I discuss how the Immigration Department views certain types of businesses.

The Rest of the Talk

Introduction

How We Got Here

Must Have Resources

The Startup Visa

Business Investment As An Entrepreneur (Visa)

Three Elements To Approval

Have You Got Enough Money?

Is Your Business Sustainable?

A Properly Set Up Office

How About Local Jobs?

Economic Sector Advantages

Hiring Yourself

D-I-Y Application

 

Important Materials Referenced In The Presentation

10 Must-Have Resources for Any Hong Kong Investment Visa Application

Accredited Startup Programmes in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Visa Handbook Free Kits

Your Questions Answered

 

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How To Start A Business In Hong Kong As A Foreigner – How About Local Jobs?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Investment Visas, Musing / No responses

I recently gave a talk at Campfire Collaborative Space on the topic of how to start a business in Hong Kong as a foreigner, which in essence is the journey of getting a Business Investment Visa as an Entrepreneur after the implementation of the Enhancement Measures in 2015 and the Audit Commission Report Number 66 from 2016.

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

Historically, this guidance addressed the critical question of local job creation for foreign nationals establishing a commercial enterprise under the General Employment Policy. The Geeza unpacked ImmD’s traditional expectations around headcount: while creating opportunities for the local workforce was a statutory touchstone of the approvability test, the department was commercially pragmatic and accommodating. ImmD recognized that an early-stage venture could rarely afford full-time local staff immediately. As a result, case officers routinely granted investment visas on the strength of a phased hiring forecast over a two- to three-year ramp-up period, allowing solo founders to rely on part-time help, local contractors, or no immediate local staff at all while getting the business off the ground with modest capital and serviced office space.

The game has changed from a forward-looking commitment into a non-negotiable prerequisite audited on day one. ImmD no longer grants entrepreneur visas on the promise of hiring local permanent residents in year two or three. Under post-April 2026 administrative practice aligned with TTPS Category A operational substance (~HKD 2.5M enterprise scale), local job creation must already be an active, verifiable reality at adjudication. The corporate sponsor must show active Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) payroll contributions for 2–3 local Hong Kong permanent residents, backed by bona fide employment contracts and competitive market salaries. Paired with mandatory thresholds for HKD 1.5M–2.0M in deployed corporate liquidity and an executed lease for exclusive physical premises (“four walls”), treating local headcount as a future milestones rather than immediate operational hardware ensures swift and summary refusal, unless the venture has secured backing through an accredited government incubator.

In this segment I talk about the need of a clear pathway for the creation of local employment opportunities.

The Rest of the Talk

Introduction

How We Got Here

Must Have Resources

The Startup Visa

Business Investment As An Entrepreneur (Visa)

Three Elements To Approval

Have You Got Enough Money?

Is Your Business Sustainable?

A Properly Set Up Office

How About Local Jobs?

Economic Sector Advantages

Hiring Yourself

D-I-Y Application

 

Important Materials Referenced In The Presentation

10 Must-Have Resources for Any Hong Kong Investment Visa Application

Accredited Startup Programmes in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Visa Handbook Free Kits

Your Questions Answered

 

More Stuff You May Find Useful Or Interesting

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How To Start A Business In Hong Kong As A Foreigner – A Properly Set Up Office

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Investment Visas, Musing / No responses

I recently gave a talk at Campfire Collaborative Space on the topic of how to start a business in Hong Kong as a foreigner, which in essence is the journey of getting a Business Investment Visa as an Entrepreneur after the implementation of the Enhancement Measures in 2015 and the Audit Commission Report Number 66 from 2016.

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

Historically, this installment examined what constituted a “properly set up office” when establishing a business as a foreign national under the General Employment Policy. The Geeza provided practical, cost-conscious reassurance: ImmD historically took a flexible and commercially realistic approach to corporate premises. Recognizing that early-stage businesses needed to conserve precious working capital rather than commit to expensive long-term commercial leases and extensive fit-outs, case officers routinely accepted serviced business centers, flexible co-working spaces, and dedicated hot-desks as sufficient proof of a operational base, provided the arrangement was genuine and aligned with the operational nature of the venture.

The game has changed from administrative tolerance for flexible workspaces into an absolute, non-negotiable physical infrastructure mandate. Under post-April 2026 administrative practice aligned with TTPS Category A operational substance (~HKD 2.5M enterprise scale), serviced offices, co-working memberships, shared hot-desks, and virtual addresses are completely disqualified for investment as entrepreneur visas. ImmD now strictly requires dedicated physical premises—actual “four walls” secured by an executed, standalone commercial lease agreement in the company’s name, accompanied by floor plans and photographs proving exclusive corporate occupation. Paired with mandatory benchmarks for HKD 1.5M–2.0M in deployed corporate bank liquidity and active MPF contributions for 2–3 local permanent residents, treating independent office premises as an optional or deferrable expense ensures immediate, summary refusal, unless the venture has gained admission into an accredited government incubator.

In this segment I discuss the sustainable business premises you need to start your business in Hong Kong as a foreigner.

The Rest of the Talk

Introduction

How We Got Here

Must Have Resources

The Startup Visa

Business Investment As An Entrepreneur (Visa)

Three Elements To Approval

Have You Got Enough Money?

Is Your Business Sustainable?

A Properly Set Up Office

How About Local Jobs?

Economic Sector Advantages

Hiring Yourself

D-I-Y Application

 

Important Materials Referenced In The Presentation

10 Must-Have Resources for Any Hong Kong Investment Visa Application

Accredited Startup Programmes in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Visa Handbook Free Kits

Your Questions Answered

 

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How To Start A Business In Hong Kong As A Foreigner – Is Your Business Sustainable?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Investment Visas, Musing / No responses

I recently gave a talk at Campfire Collaborative Space on the topic of how to start a business in Hong Kong as a foreigner, which in essence is the journey of getting a Business Investment Visa as an Entrepreneur after the implementation of the Enhancement Measures in 2015 and the Audit Commission Report Number 66 from 2016.

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

Historically, this installment addressed the question of commercial sustainability—how a foreign founder proves that an early-stage venture will survive, generate revenue, and support the applicant under the General Employment Policy. The Geeza provided practical guidance on demonstrating viability: ImmD historically evaluated sustainability through a forward-looking, qualitative lens. An applicant could establish sustainability through a well-articulated business plan, realistic cash-flow forecasts, signed letters of intent, contracts in the pipeline, and modest initial seed capital of a few hundred thousand dollars. Case officers recognized the inherent uncertainty of early-stage entrepreneurship and extended administrative leeway, allowing bootstrapped founders operating from serviced desks to prove their business model organically over time.

The game has changed from a forward-looking qualitative forecast into a hard, retrospective balance-sheet audit. ImmD no longer accepts multi-year projections, market feasibility narratives, or future commercial pipeline as proof of commercial sustainability. Under post-April 2026 administrative practice aligned with TTPS Category A operational substance (~HKD 2.5M enterprise scale), sustainability is evaluated as an empirical fact on day one. The enterprise must demonstrate active financial depth: HKD 1.5M–2.0M in deployed corporate bank liquidity, an executed commercial lease for exclusive physical premises (“four walls”), and active MPF payroll for 2–3 local permanent residents. Lacking this deployed corporate capital base, verifiable commercial revenue, or formal admission into an accredited government incubator (such as Cyberport or HKSTP), relying on projected sustainability will result in immediate, summary refusal.

In this segment I discuss the non-funding resources you need to start your business in Hong Kong as a foreigner.

The Rest of the Talk

Introduction

How We Got Here

Must Have Resources

The Startup Visa

Business Investment As An Entrepreneur (Visa)

Three Elements To Approval

Have You Got Enough Money?

Is Your Business Sustainable?

A Properly Set Up Office

How About Local Jobs?

Economic Sector Advantages

Hiring Yourself

D-I-Y Application

 

Important Materials Referenced In The Presentation

10 Must-Have Resources for Any Hong Kong Investment Visa Application

Accredited Startup Programmes in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Visa Handbook Free Kits

Your Questions Answered

 

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How to Get a Hong Kong Entrepreneur Visa Approved – The Inside Scoop – Introduction

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Investment Visas, Musing, VG Front Page / 3 responses

I recently gave a talk at Centre O Connect in Sheung wan setting out the nitty gritty of the Hong Kong entrepreneur visa since the implementation of the Enhancement Measures on May 6, 2015.

PRACTICE UPDATE: How to read in light of current ImmD policy:

• Historical Editorial Standard: Delivered as the opening segment of a seminar series at Centre O in Sheung Wan, this introduction frames the modern landscape of the Hong Kong entrepreneur visa following the government’s May 4, 2015 “Enhancement Measures.” Historically, the presentation struck an optimistic and welcoming tone for the startup community, celebrating the official introduction of the Start-up Scheme within the GEP Entrepreneur framework and setting up an exploration of how grassroots innovators, lean businesses, and international founders could leverage relaxed administrative attitudes, incubators, and flexible commercial resources to establish a viable commercial presence in the territory.

• Comparative Reading Under the Upgraded Regime: The historical optimism that the 2015 Enhancement Measures permanently democratized the entrepreneur route for general early-stage founders must now be dramatically reframed. In light of the post-April 2026 administrative restructuring, this introductory orientation must deliver an immediate, unvarnished reality check: the era of discretionary leniency and casual entry for bootstrapped or lifestyle entrepreneurs has definitively closed. ImmD has formally decoupled standard GEP Entrepreneur adjudication from early-stage startup leniency, aligning assessment standards with the economic substance benchmark codified under Category A of the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)—which presumes an enterprise scale capable of supporting HKD 2.5 million in verifiable operational turnover. This “Inside Scoop” introduction must now set the scene by establishing the non-negotiable division of the modern landscape:

  1. The Standard Route: Accessible exclusively to institutional-grade, capital-ready ventures capable of demonstrating on day one HKD 1.5M to HKD 2.0M in deployed corporate cash, dedicated commercial physical premises (“four walls“), and 2 to 3 local permanent residents actively on payroll with MPF enrollment.

  2. The Innovation Carve-Out: Non-institutional, early-stage, or tech-enabled founders lacking this immediate capital and employment footprint can no longer use standard GEP templates or general arguments; their sole viable gateway into Hong Kong is formal admission into a recognized, government-backed incubation or accelerator programme (such as Cyberport or HKSTP).

In this segment, I set the scene for the presentation. Here is the 10 Must Have Resources link discussed in the talk.

(First Published on January 12, 2016)

More In This Series

Introduction

How Did We Get Here?

Startup vs. Entrepreneur

Getting Approved

The Question of Money

Passing the Approvability Test

Improve Your Chances

D-I-Y Application

 

DOWNLOADS

Presentation Slides

Accredited Startup Programmes in Hong Kong

 

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Hong Kong Visa Handbook – The Entrepreneur Visa

How To Start A Business In Hong Kong As A Foreigner – Have You Got Enough Money

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Investment Visas, Musing / 1 response

I recently gave a talk at Campfire Collaborative Space on the topic of how to start a business in Hong Kong as a foreigner, which in essence is the journey of getting a Business Investment Visa as an Entrepreneur after the implementation of the Enhancement Measures in 2015 and the Audit Commission Report Number 66 from 2016.

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

Historically, this installment addressed the central question that every foreign founder asks: how much capital is actually required to secure an investment as entrepreneur visa under the General Employment Policy. The Geeza historically debunked the myth that an applicant needed millions in startup capital. ImmD did not enforce a statutory minimum, operating instead on a pragmatic, bespoke standard: “enough money” simply meant sufficient funds to carry the specific business to profitability according to its realistic cash-flow projections. For lean consultancies, design studios, or professional service agencies, foreign founders routinely secured approval with modest seed capital of a few hundred thousand dollars, keeping overheads minimal through serviced offices and delaying local payroll until revenues materialized.

The game has changed from a flexible, plan-based capital test into an unforgiving, high-threshold corporate liquidity mandate. ImmD no longer accepts that “enough money” is defined by low-overhead business models or modest personal savings. Under post-April 2026 administrative practice aligned with TTPS Category A operational substance (~HKD 2.5M enterprise scale), financial adequacy is judged against hard institutional baselines. An applicant must demonstrate HKD 1.5M–2.0M in deployed corporate bank liquidity already sitting in the company’s local account. Furthermore, that capital cannot sit idle or be reserved for personal living expenses; it must actively support live operational hardware: an executed commercial lease for exclusive physical premises (“four walls”) and ongoing MPF payroll contributions for 2–3 local permanent residents. Launching a venture on lean seed funding of a few hundred thousand dollars without admission into an accredited government incubator will result in immediate, summary refusal.

In this segment I talk about how much money you need to have in order to fulfill the monetary requirement to anticipate a visa approval.

The Rest of the Talk

Introduction

How We Got Here

Must Have Resources

The Startup Visa

Business Investment As An Entrepreneur (Visa)

Three Elements To Approval

Have You Got Enough Money?

Is Your Business Sustainable?

A Properly Set Up Office

How About Local Jobs?

Economic Sector Advantages

Hiring Yourself

D-I-Y Application

 

Important Materials Referenced In The Presentation

10 Must-Have Resources for Any Hong Kong Investment Visa Application

Accredited Startup Programmes in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Visa Handbook Free Kits

Your Questions Answered

 

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