Investment Visa Support Letter (Hong Kong)

An Investment Visa Support Letter in Hong Kong sets out the writer's position and the response or action requested from the recipient.

The Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115) and the associated Immigration Regulations provide the legal basis for the Immigration Department’s assessment of visa applications, including GEP entrepreneur applications. The Immigration Department’s published criteria for GEP entrepreneur applicants require the applicant to demonstrate: a genuine and specific business opportunity in Hong Kong; sufficient capital to fund the business; relevant qualifications or experience; and a business that will make a meaningful economic contribution, including through employment of local Hong Kong residents.

Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s premier international financial centre, its common law legal system, its low and simple tax regime administered by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) under the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112) — with a corporate profits tax rate of 8.25% on the first HKD 2 million of assessable profits and 16.5% on the remainder — and its strategic location at the gateway to the Greater Bay Area (GBA) make it an attractive destination for entrepreneurs seeking to build businesses serving both Hong Kong and Mainland China markets.

The Investment Visa Support Letter serves several functions in the GEP entrepreneur application. First, it provides a narrative framework bringing together the business plan, the applicant’s background, and the investment details in a format accessible to the Immigration Department’s assessors. Second, it demonstrates the applicant’s personal commitment to the business and their understanding of the Hong Kong market. Third, it cross-references the supporting documents — business registration certificates from the Companies Registry, bank statements showing investment capital, tenancy agreements for office premises, letters of intent from prospective clients, and CVs — that establish the credibility of the application.

InvestHK — the Hong Kong government’s inward investment promotion agency — provides a free service to prospective entrepreneurs including assistance with business registration, referrals to relevant government departments and support programmes, and guidance on the GEP entrepreneur visa process. The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and Cyberport support technology entrepreneurs with incubation programmes, funding, and office space. These support programmes should be referenced in the Investment Visa Support Letter where applicable. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) also provides market intelligence and networking support for incoming entrepreneurs. Section 11 of the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115) grants the Director of Immigration broad discretion to admit or refuse applicants, and section 17 of Cap. 115 sets out the specific grounds on which entry may be refused — including inadequate financial resources, criminal record, or failure to satisfy the immigration officer of the genuine purpose of the proposed business activity.

An Investment Visa Support Letter in Hong Kong is needed by any foreign national seeking to establish or join a business in Hong Kong under the General Employment Policy (GEP) entrepreneur route administered by the Immigration Department under the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115).

New business establishment: an entrepreneur who wishes to incorporate a new Hong Kong company under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) and obtain a visa to reside in Hong Kong to operate that business needs an Investment Visa Support Letter as a core part of the GEP application. The letter should accompany the completed application form (ID 995A), the business plan, financial projections, proof of investment capital, and the applicant’s CV and qualifications.

Joining an existing Hong Kong business: a foreign national who wishes to join an existing Hong Kong company as a shareholder, director, or senior executive — rather than establishing a new company — can apply under the GEP entrepreneur route if the role involves a genuine investment or entrepreneurial contribution (not merely employment). The Investment Visa Support Letter should describe the existing business, the applicant’s proposed role and investment, and the business’s development plans.

Technology and innovation entrepreneurs: Hong Kong actively promotes innovation and technology (I&T) as a priority sector. Entrepreneurs in fintech, biotech, healthtech, green technology, and other I&T sectors are encouraged to apply and may benefit from referral to InvestHK’s dedicated I&T team, which provides support services for I&T entrepreneurs throughout the visa process. The Investment Visa Support Letter for I&T entrepreneurs should emphasise the technology’s novelty, IP ownership (including any patents or software copyrights under the Copyright Ordinance (Cap. 528)), and the potential for scaling in the Hong Kong and GBA markets.

Greater Bay Area expansion: entrepreneurs based in Mainland China who wish to establish a Hong Kong presence as part of a GBA expansion strategy may apply for an investment visa to run the Hong Kong entity. The Investment Visa Support Letter should explain the relationship between the Mainland and Hong Kong operations and how the Hong Kong entity contributes to the broader business.

Visa extension and renewal: entrepreneurs who have previously been admitted to Hong Kong under the GEP entrepreneur route and whose visas are due for renewal need to prepare a renewal Investment Visa Support Letter demonstrating the business’s progress since the previous visa was granted — including revenue growth, employment created, and business development achievements — to support the renewal application.

Business partner or co-founder: where two or more founders are establishing a business together and both require investment visas, each founder must submit their own Investment Visa Support Letter describing their individual role, investment, and contribution to the joint business.

A well-structured Investment Visa Support Letter for a Hong Kong GEP entrepreneur application should include the following key elements to maximise the prospects of a favourable assessment by the Immigration Department.

Applicant’s personal details: full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and current residential address. Where the applicant is already in Hong Kong on a visitor or other visa, the current visa status and expiry date should be stated.

Business overview: a concise description of the proposed business — the legal entity name (as registered or to be registered with the Companies Registry under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622)), the business registration number (if already registered with the IRD under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310)), the sector, the products or services offered, the target market (Hong Kong, GBA, or international), and the business model.

Investment and funding: the total capital committed to the business, the source of funds (the applicant’s own savings, family support, venture capital, angel investment, or government grants from InvestHK, HKSTP, or Cyberport), and evidence of available funds (bank statements, investment commitment letters). There is no statutory minimum investment, but committed capital demonstrating seriousness is essential.

Business plan summary: a summary of the key elements of the business plan — market opportunity, competitive positioning, revenue model, and growth strategy — with cross-reference to the full business plan submitted as a supporting document.

Employment creation: the number of Hong Kong resident employees the business has hired or plans to hire within the first 12 to 24 months. Employment of local Hong Kong residents is a key assessment criterion under the GEP.

Applicant’s qualifications and experience: academic qualifications (including degrees from recognised universities), professional certifications, and a summary of relevant work and entrepreneurial experience. For regulated businesses (financial services under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571), insurance under the Insurance Ordinance (Cap. 41), or healthcare), relevant professional licences or qualifications should be highlighted.

Contribution to Hong Kong’s economy: a specific articulation of how the business will benefit the Hong Kong economy — through job creation, technology transfer, export promotion, tourism, or other economic contributions. Abstract statements are less persuasive than specific, quantified projections.

Supporting documents referenced: the letter should cross-reference all supporting documents — incorporation certificate, business registration certificate, tenancy agreement for Hong Kong office premises, bank statements, letters of intent from clients or suppliers, and the applicant’s CV. Section 11 of the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115) empowers the Director of Immigration to grant or refuse entry. Section 17 of Cap. 115 sets out grounds for refusal of entry. Section 38 of Cap. 115 addresses conditions of stay imposed on visa holders. Section 53 of the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310) requires all businesses operating in Hong Kong to hold a valid Business Registration Certificate. Download a free template at forms-legal.com. Related documents include the HK Employment Visa Support letter and HK Quality Migrant Application documents. Section 38 of the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115) empowers the Director of Immigration to impose conditions of stay on visa holders — including restrictions on the nature of business activities permitted — and section 42 of Cap. 115 makes it a criminal offence to breach conditions of stay or to make false representations in a visa application. Entrepreneurs whose applications are refused may seek a review under the Immigration Department's internal review process, and in certain cases judicial review before the Court of First Instance under Order 53 of the Rules of the High Court (Cap. 4A).