Global mobility
Managing international expansion, cross-border talent mobility, and residency requirements calls for seamless coordination across legal compliance, immigration, and tax considerations. Our Hong Kong Global Mobility practice offers integrated, end-to-end solutions designed to safeguard business interests, facilitate efficient employee relocation, and support tailored investment residency structures for global investors and high-net-worth individuals.
Our practice integrates immigration strategy with tax planning, helping high-net-worth individuals and corporate transferees establish compliant and tax-efficient residency arrangements in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong’s New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) provides a clear and direct pathway to residency for high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and family office principals seeking to establish a long-term presence in Asia’s leading international financial centre.
| Category | Allocation | Eligible Asset Classes & Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Permissible Financial Assets & Real Estate | HK$27 Million(Minimum) |
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| CIES Investment Portfolio | HK$3 Million(Mandatory) |
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Key Eligibility Criteria & Structural Enhancements
- Net Asset Requirement: Applicants must demonstrate beneficial entitlement to net assets of not less than HK$30 million, or the foreign currency equivalent, throughout the six months immediately preceding the submission of the application.
- Eligible Applicants: Eligible applicants include foreign nationals, Macao SAR residents, Taiwan residents, and Chinese nationals who have obtained permanent resident status in a foreign country.
- Family Office & Corporate Holding Option: Applicants may hold permissible investment assets through eligible Family-owned Investment Holding Vehicles (FIHVs) or private companies wholly owned by the applicant, allowing immigration planning to be aligned with broader wealth management and succession planning objectives.
- Path to Permanent Residency: Successful applicants are generally granted an initial stay of two years, which may be extended for three years at a time. After completing seven years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong, applicants and their dependants may apply for Hong Kong permanent resident status, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements.
We can help you to manage compliance including obtaining, extending & renewing different visa types, and all aspects of the immigration process to ensure your employees and expatriates can enter and re-enter countries without triggering immigration and tax thresholds that will impact the efficiency of your global mobility programmes.
Deploying talent across borders can create significant tax implications for both employers and employees. Variations in tax rates, residency rules, reporting obligations, and local compliance requirements may result in unexpected costs and administrative complexity. Our Hong Kong tax advisory practice assists international clients in managing these challenges through clear, practical, and commercially focused tax advice.
What Is Tax Equalization?
When a company sends an employee to work abroad, the tax rules in the new country may differ significantly from those at home. The employee could pay more tax — or sometimes less. Tax equalization is a fair system that keeps the employee’s take-home pay roughly the same as it would have been in their home country. The company covers any difference. This removes financial surprises for the employee and gives the employer clear control over the true cost of the assignment. We help design fair policies, calculate correct tax amounts, manage year-end adjustments, and complete required filings.
What Is Cross-Border Tax Advisory?
This covers the wider tax questions that arise when people, money, or business activities move between countries. Common issues include how much tax is due in each location, whether a company has created a taxable presence overseas, how to avoid paying tax twice on the same income, and the best way to structure regional operations. Hong Kong’s simple tax system and network of tax treaties make it a useful base for international business when arrangements are planned correctly.
How We Support International Clients
| Area | What we do | Benefit to You |
|---|---|---|
| Tax Equalization | Design policy, calculate taxes, manage adjustments | Fair pay for staff; predictable costs |
| Employee Mobility | Advice on assignments, short trips, and remote work | Fewer unexpected tax bills |
| Corporate Structures | Guidance on Hong Kong companies and intercompany arrangements | Lower tax leakage and clearer compliance |
| Treaty & Withholding Tax | Review of tax treaty benefits | Avoid paying more tax than necessary |
| Compliance & Reporting | Support with Hong Kong filings linked to overseas activities | Greater peace of mind |
