Relocating to Hong Kong as an Entrepreneur: An International Investor’s Success Story
January 5, 2026 · Hong Kong · 13 min read
Hong Kong (China) has long been known as a haven for global capital, thanks to its open financial system and its role as a gateway to mainland China. For the international business owners who have thrived here, relocating to Hong Kong as an entrepreneur is about more than profit: it is also a residency and wealth preservation strategy amid the economic volatility of 2025.
Relocating to Hong Kong as an Entrepreneur: An International Investor’s Success Story
Meet the investor: from fintech executive to strategic investor
In Asia-Pacific venture capital circles, the story of Mark L. (48, a British national) is often cited as a textbook example of smart capital mobility. A former fintech CEO in London, Mark recognized the rapid rise of the Chinese and Southeast Asian markets.
Rather than opting for Europe’s traditional safe-haven markets, Mark set out to find a new “base” in Asia where he could grow his business and secure residency for his family. After careful consideration, he chose Hong Kong as his base for the next 10 years of his career.
Why Hong Kong rather than Singapore or Canada?
It is a strategic question every investor has to answer. For Mark, the decision came down to a detailed comparison of his financial and lifestyle goals:
- Gateway position: If Singapore is the hub of Southeast Asia, Hong Kong is the key gateway to mainland China through the Greater Bay Area (GBA). For Mark’s fintech business, access to data and to a consumer market of over a billion people was the top priority.
- Tax regime: Hong Kong has one of the simplest, lowest-tax regimes in the world (a corporate profits tax rate of around 16.5%, and no tax on capital gains or dividends). This can improve net returns compared with many Western jurisdictions.
- A different purpose for residency: Mark is clear: Hong Kong is where you go to “make money and build wealth.” If the priority were a greener living environment, a less pressured education for his children, and comprehensive social welfare, he acknowledges that destinations such as Canada or Australia would be a better fit.
Preparation and capital allocation strategy
To turn his Hong Kong plan into reality, Mark went through a 12-month preparation process with several key milestones:
Legal and visa due diligence:
Mark applied under the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES), Hong Kong’s relaunched residency by investment program. It requires a minimum investment of HK$30 million (approximately US$3.8 million) in permissible financial assets (such as stocks, bonds, and certificates of deposit). This was a key step, as it allowed him to secure residence without relying on employer sponsorship.
Corporate structure:
He set up a holding company in Hong Kong to manage his investments in Shenzhen and Shanghai. This gives him greater flexibility to move funds, as Hong Kong itself does not impose strict foreign exchange controls.
Banking:
Opening a corporate bank account in Hong Kong now involves very rigorous due diligence, including know-your-customer and anti-money-laundering (KYC/AML) checks. Mark had to prepare documentation demonstrating a transparent source of funds from the UK, much as investors must when applying for the U.S. EB-5 investor visa.
What he gained after 3–5 years
After 4 years of operating in Hong Kong, Mark’s decision has delivered concrete results:
- Asset growth: His business benefited directly from Greater Bay Area incentive policies, and revenue grew 200% through partnerships with technology firms in Shenzhen.
- Financial freedom: Because the Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the U.S. dollar, his assets are less exposed to the erratic exchange-rate swings of other currencies in the region.
- Residency: Mark’s family now holds long-term residence status and is on track to apply for Hong Kong permanent resident status (with a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card) after 7 years of continuous ordinary residence. His children have access to high-quality international schools, although fees are high.
Hard-won lessons for other investors
Despite his success, Mark is candid about the practical challenges investors should anticipate:
- Very high operating costs: Property prices and living costs in Hong Kong consistently rank among the highest in the world. “If your cash flow can’t absorb losses in the first 2 years, Hong Kong will become a brutal money pit,” Mark warns.
- Limited living space: Compared with a house and garden in the U.S. or Canada, living space in Hong Kong is far more compact. It is a trade-off between business opportunity and a greener, more spacious way of life.
- Competitive pressure: Hong Kong attracts some of the most seasoned minds in finance. Competition is intense, and there is no room to fall behind.
Expert advice: If your goal is a secure, cost-effective Plan B that does not require an intensive business presence, Caribbean citizenship programs or European residency programs (such as Greece or Portugal) may be a better alternative in terms of risk and capital management. Hong Kong is really for investors ready to compete head-on in Asia’s financial markets.
IMM Group: why choose a proven advisory firm?
The global investment and citizenship landscape is constantly changing and increasingly complex. Investors need an advisory partner that not only helps build a strong application but also serves as a reliable anchor for the family’s future. That is why, across all our global investment and citizenship solutions, IMM Group sets itself apart as a strategic advisory partner, working alongside you with experience and integrity.
As a pioneer with more than 21 years of hands-on experience in Vietnam, IMM Group does not act as a sales agent. We do more than advise — we design investment migration solutions built on:
- Rigorous due diligence and risk management: Having successfully handled hundreds of applications, including complex cases, we conduct multi-layered project due diligence and protect investors’ interests rigorously, including during periods of market stress.
- In-depth professional advice and full transparency: Every IMM Group consultant and case manager holds an international investment migration advisory certification issued by the Investment Migration Council (IMC). Our team provides a comprehensive analysis of benefits and risks so you can make decisions based on complete and accurate information. We put our clients’ long-term interests first.
- Integrity and commitment at every stage: Guided by our philosophy, “Serving with Authentic Values,” IMM Group commits to supporting you from the first step until your family is settled. Integrity is our foundation, reflected in our readiness to protect client interests and to proactively refund fees when objective risks beyond the client’s control arise (as set out in the service agreement).
- Giving back: Since 2025, IMM Group has operated as a nonprofit enterprise, committing at least 50% of its annual profits to the Be Better Fund. By choosing IMM Group, you join us in supporting meaningful initiatives and the social responsibility and human values we pursue.
This article aims to provide an objective and useful overview of Hong Kong and its residency routes. The content may not reflect the latest legal changes. To learn more about the investment and citizenship programs IMM Group currently offers, please see here.
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