---
title: "Hong Kong Entrepreneur visa (GEP) requirements 2026"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/investment-entrepreneur/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-11
---

Hong Kong · Business / Startup

# Hong Kong Entrepreneur visa (GEP)

**First stay:** 3 yrs

Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs (GEP)

First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **First stay:** 3 yrs (Initial stay of up to 36 months on employment condition; extensions normally follow a 3-2 year pattern while the eligibility criteria are still met.)
- **Who can apply:** Most passports (Not available to Mainland Chinese residents or nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and North Korea.)
- **Work:** Limited (Admitted on employment condition to establish or join the approved business; any other business needs prior approval from the Director of Immigration.)
- **Spouse work:** Can work (Spouse or recognised partner and unmarried dependent children under 18 may apply as dependants; dependants are not prohibited from working or studying. Your spouse or partner may work in Hong Kong without a separate permit.)

## Key facts

Entrepreneur visa (GEP) is a business / startup route for Hong Kong. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.

- **Government fees:** HKD 600 ≈ $76 · HKD 1,300 ≈ $170
- **Processing:** Up to 28 days
- **First stay:** 3 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: 2 government fees listed below; decision: up to 28 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: HKD 600 ≈ $76 · HKD 1,300 ≈ $170**

- HKD 600 (≈ $76) Non-refundable application fee, charged to the principal applicant and each dependant.
- HKD 1,300 (≈ $170) Visa issuance fee when the relevant period of stay is more than 180 days (HK$600 for 180 days or less).

**Renewal: Renewable**

Extensions normally follow a 3-2 year pattern on employment condition.

[Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/investment.html)

**Permanent residence: After 7 years of residence**

After a continuous period of not less than 7 years of ordinary residence you may apply for the right of abode (permanent resident status), and you must take Hong Kong as your place of permanent residence. Time as a foreign domestic helper, an imported-labour contract worker or a refugee, or spent unlawfully or in breach of a condition of stay, does not count.

[Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/investment.html)

**Processing: Up to 28 days**

Normally takes four weeks once all documents and the fee are received; extensions normally take two to three weeks.

[Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/investment.html)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Work rights are limited
- Not open to passports from Afghanistan, Cuba, North Korea

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- The applicant has no security objection and no known record of serious crime.
- The applicant has a good education background, normally a first degree in the relevant field.
- The applicant can make a substantial contribution to the Hong Kong economy.
- A start-up backed by a government programme such as StartmeupHK Venture, Cyberport or Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks incubation may also apply.
- The applicant nominates a local sponsor, either a company or an individual.
- An individual sponsor is aged 18 or above, a bona fide Hong Kong resident and acquainted with the applicant.

#### What you must show

- Documentary proof of the capital investment amount is submitted; there is no fixed minimum sum.
- Personal and company bank statements for the previous year show enough funds to run the business.

#### Documents

- A three-year business plan with profit-and-loss, cash flow and balance sheet forecasts is submitted.
- Proof of local jobs created and of academic qualifications and relevant experience is submitted.

#### Steps

1. Applications are made online by the applicant and the sponsor, with the fee paid, and normally take four weeks.

#### After you arrive

- Admitted entrepreneurs may apply for the right of abode after ordinarily residing in Hong Kong for 7 continuous years.

## When you become tax resident

How Hong Kong decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **Up to 3 years at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** - **More than 60 days in a year of assessment (aggregated visits to Hong Kong)** Non-Hong Kong employment: visits to Hong Kong totalling more than 60 days in the year of assessment make the pay for those services assessable on a days-in-days-out basis; any part of a day counts.
- **Foreign-source income:** **Territorial** Hong Kong taxes under the territorial concept: salaries tax, property tax and profits tax apply to income arising in or derived from Hong Kong, whether the person is resident or not.

[All tax rules for Hong Kong](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026

**Full official text**

General Employment Policy route to establish or join a business in Hong Kong, assessed case by case on business plan, financial resources, investment sum and local jobs created. (sources 1, 2, 3)

#### What you must show and pay

- A fee of HKD 600 (≈ $76) · Non-refundable application fee, charged to the principal applicant and each dependant. (sources 2, 1)
- A fee of HKD 1,300 (≈ $170) · Visa issuance fee when the relevant period of stay is more than 180 days (HK$600 for 180 days or less). (sources 2, 1)

#### Requirements

- The applicant has no security objection and no known record of serious crime. (source 1)
- The applicant has a good education background, normally a first degree in the relevant field. (source 1)
- The applicant can make a substantial contribution to the Hong Kong economy. (source 1)
- A start-up backed by a government programme such as StartmeupHK Venture, Cyberport or Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks incubation may also apply. (source 1)
- The applicant nominates a local sponsor, either a company or an individual. (source 1)
- An individual sponsor is aged 18 or above, a bona fide Hong Kong resident and acquainted with the applicant. (source 1)
- Documentary proof of the capital investment amount is submitted; there is no fixed minimum sum. (source 1)
- Personal and company bank statements for the previous year show enough funds to run the business. (source 1)
- A three-year business plan with profit-and-loss, cash flow and balance sheet forecasts is submitted. (source 1)
- Proof of local jobs created and of academic qualifications and relevant experience is submitted. (source 1)
- Applications are made online by the applicant and the sponsor, with the fee paid, and normally take four weeks. (source 1)
- Admitted entrepreneurs may apply for the right of abode after ordinarily residing in Hong Kong for 7 continuous years. (source 1)

#### Stay

- Initial stay of up to 36 months on employment condition; extensions normally follow a 3-2 year pattern while the eligibility criteria are still met.
- First stay: up to 36 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

#### Nationality

Not available to Mainland Chinese residents or nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and North Korea. Not open to: Afghanistan, Cuba, North Korea.

#### Work

Admitted on employment condition to establish or join the approved business; any other business needs prior approval from the Director of Immigration.

#### Family

Spouse or recognised partner and unmarried dependent children under 18 may apply as dependants; dependants are not prohibited from working or studying. Your spouse or partner may work in Hong Kong without a separate permit.

Checked 2026-10-11

## Official sources

1. [Investment as Entrepreneurs under General Employment Policy](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/investment.html) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government · checked 2026-10-10
2. [New Fee Structure for Visa Applications under Specified Schemes](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/specifiedschemes.html) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong · checked 2026-10-11
3. [Guidebook for Entry for Residence as Dependants in Hong Kong, ID(E) 998 (04/2026)](https://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/ID(E)998.pdf) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2026-04-01
4. [The Position of Non-Chinese Citizens (right of abode)](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/residents/immigration/roa/eligible-position-non-chinese.html) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Notes for Guidance: Application for a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card](https://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/ROP(E)149_o.pdf) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government · checked 2026-10-11

## Entrepreneur visa (GEP) and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Entrepreneur visa (GEP) | – | 3 yr, renewable | Limited |
| [SMART Visa S · 2 years](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/thailand/smart-s-2yr/) Thailand | Needs savings of ฿600k+ ≈ $18k | 2 yr, renewable | Limited |
| [Business Manager](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/japan/business-manager/) Japan | Needs an investment of ¥30M+ ≈ $189k | 5 yr, renewable | Limited |
| [Golden · Entrepreneur](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-arab-emirates/golden-entrepreneur/) United Arab Emirates | – | 10 yr, renewable | – |
| [EntrePass](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/singapore/entrepass/) Singapore | Needs an investment of SGD 100k+ ≈ $78k | 1 yr, renewable | Limited |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Entrepreneur visa (GEP)?

A fee of HKD 600 (≈ $76). Non-refundable application fee, charged to the principal applicant and each dependant. A fee of HKD 1,300 (≈ $170). Visa issuance fee when the relevant period of stay is more than 180 days (HK$600 for 180 days or less).

### How long can I stay on the Entrepreneur visa (GEP)?

Initial stay of up to 36 months on employment condition; extensions normally follow a 3-2 year pattern while the eligibility criteria are still met.

### How long does the Entrepreneur visa (GEP) take to process?

Normally takes four weeks once all documents and the fee are received; extensions normally take two to three weeks.

### Can I work on the Entrepreneur visa (GEP)?

Limited. Admitted on employment condition to establish or join the approved business; any other business needs prior approval from the Director of Immigration.

### Can I bring my family on the Entrepreneur visa (GEP)?

Spouse or recognised partner and unmarried dependent children under 18 may apply as dependants; dependants are not prohibited from working or studying.

### Who can apply for the Entrepreneur visa (GEP)?

Not available to Mainland Chinese residents or nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba and North Korea. Not open to: Afghanistan, Cuba, North Korea.

### Does the Entrepreneur visa (GEP) lead to permanent residence in Hong Kong?

Time on the Entrepreneur visa (GEP) counts toward permanent residence in Hong Kong, which the rules allow after 7 years of residence.

### How are Entrepreneur visa (GEP) holders taxed in Hong Kong?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Entrepreneur visa (GEP). The standard rules apply: Hong Kong taxes under the territorial concept: salaries tax, property tax and profits tax apply to income arising in or derived from Hong Kong, whether the person is resident or not. Income arising outside Hong Kong is not charged under those taxes; salaries tax follows where the employment services are rendered.

## More in Hong Kong

[QMAS](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/qmas/) [Top Talent Pass](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/ttps/) [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/working-holiday/) [New CIES · HK$30M](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/new-cies/) [Mainland talent (ASMTP)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/asmtp-mainland-professional/) [Work visa (GEP)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/gep-professional/) [Tech professionals (GEP-TP)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/gep-technical-professionals/) [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/hong-kong/student-visa/)

## Business / startup visas elsewhere

[🇰🇷 D-9 trade (after study)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/south-korea/d9-study-trade-investor/) [🇹🇼 Entrepreneur visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/taiwan/entrepreneur-visa/) [🇵🇭 SVEG job-creation visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/philippines/sveg/) [🇳🇿 Business Investor work visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/new-zealand/business-investor-work/) [🇳🇵 Business visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/nepal/business-visa/) [🇨🇳 Graduate entrepreneur permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/china/student-entrepreneur-permit/)

## Head to head

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-11 against 5 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Investment as Entrepreneurs under General Employment Policy](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/investment.html) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government · checked 2026-10-10
2. [New Fee Structure for Visa Applications under Specified Schemes](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/specifiedschemes.html) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong · checked 2026-10-11
3. [Guidebook for Entry for Residence as Dependants in Hong Kong, ID(E) 998 (04/2026)](https://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/ID(E)998.pdf) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR · checked 2026-10-12
4. [The Position of Non-Chinese Citizens (right of abode)](https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/residents/immigration/roa/eligible-position-non-chinese.html) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Notes for Guidance: Application for a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card](https://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/ROP(E)149_o.pdf) · Immigration Department, Hong Kong SAR Government · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.