Why the Philippines’ elite are choosing the Hong Kong residency path for their family legacies

2 weeks ago 13
Suniway Group of Companies Inc.

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

MANILA, Philippines — Many of the Philippines’ most successful families no longer worry where to invest, but where to build a more lasting legacy for the future.

More than wealth, they look for safety, stability, government transparency and a lifestyle that aligns with their values and ambitions. Today, most of them already know that this path leads to Hong Kong.

A sophisticated second home

Flying from the Philippines to Hong Kong takes only around two hours. Hong Kong ranks among the safest cities in the world, and it’s no wonder it offers peace of mind compared to other major financial centers. It has low crime rate, reliable public services, strong rule of law and well-planned infrastructure, making it ideal for raising families and running global businesses.

Everyday living is smooth and efficient here, from world-class public to its physical and digital conveniences. Its advanced fintech and digital payment systems are also integrated into daily life, perfect for Filipino families who want both safety and sophistication—especially in a second home.

Charles Luchangco, who was born and grew up in the Philippines, and is the founder of Arete Capital Partners, has lived in Hong Kong for over 25 years.

He says he would 100% recommend his friends to live in Hong Kong: “Great infrastructure connecting to the rest of Greater China and Asia. A very livable and safe city environment. Wonderful family life, great outdoor activities, and a vibrant dining and cultural scene... Hong Kong has it all.”

World-class and vibrant lifestyle

A global city with a rich cultural identity, Hong Kong serves a unique balance of East and West.

The city is home to 54 international schools offering the national curricula of countries such as the US, the UK, Germany and Japan, among others. It also has 22 degree-awarding institutions, five of which are ranked in the Times Higher Education Top 100 Universities worldwide—the only city in the world to hold that distinction.

This standard of education gives families confidence that their children will receive world-class learning.

Across the year, Hong Kong is a vibrant city that offers diverse living experiences and activities. In spring, families can enjoy camping, picnics and stargazing across scenic parks and open spaces. In summer, they can go diving, kayaking, fishing and yacht outing.

Locals and visitors alike will admire the cool weather and autumn foliage at destinations like Tai Tong. Finally, in winter, hikers and nature enthusiasts will love Hong Kong’s extensive network of trails, including the Dragon’s Back, hailed among the “Best Urban Hiking Trails in Asia.”

“The family can go camping on weekends and I can be back at work on Monday morning. I personally love Hong Kong’s energy: it cannot be found to this degree in other Asian cities,” Luchangco added.

All year round, Hong Kong boasts a dynamic nightlife and entertainment scene—from rooftop bars overlooking Victoria Harbour to live music venues, art galleries and exclusive members’ clubs catering to international residents.

Food lovers will adore the 79 Michelin-starred restaurants, which offer everything from traditional dim sum to world-class fine dining.

Of course, luxury retail, global art fairs and massive shopping malls are also within easy reach, boosting Hong Kong’s reputation as not just a financial powerhouse but a lifestyle capital.

Across the year, Hong Kong is a vibrant city that offers diverse living experiences and activities. In summer, they can go diving, kayaking, fishing and yacht outing.

Certainty and continuity

Much of Hong Kong’s appeal to entrepreneurs is due to its rule of law and strong, transparent legal framework. It operates under the principle of “One Country, Two Systems,” wherein it enjoys a high degree of autonomy, with an independent judiciary practicing common law.

This structure gives high-net-worth investors the assurance that their assets, business interests and personal rights are protected. Unlike other jurisdictions that impose restrictions on foreign ownership or capital movement, Hong Kong allows complete freedom of capital flow, information exchange and ownership, even for global families.

New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme

For Filipino high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) looking for a structured route to residency, the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES) has opened its door. As of Oct. 6, 2025, the New CIES has already garnered significant attention, with more than 2,200 applications received.

Through this program, qualified applicants who invest at least HK$30 million (approximately P220 million) in permissible investment assets can gain a pathway to Hong Kong residency.

Each qualified applicant has to invest a minimum of HK$27 million in permissible financial assets and/or real estate, and placed HK$3 million to the CIES Investment Portfolio.

Permissible financial assets are highly diversified, including equities, bonds, certificates of deposits, subordinated debt, eligible collective investment schemes and ownership interest in limited partnership funds.

Hong Kong's stock market is thriving, and was the top fundraising hub globally in the first half of 2025. Successful applicants of New CIES can engage in the stock market.

For real estate, the investment is subject to an aggregate cap of HK$15 million (among which the cap on residential real estate is HK$10 million), and the threshold of transaction price for residential real estate has been lowered from HK$50 million to HK$30 million for a single property under the latest enhancement measure.

With low property taxes in Hong Kong and stunning views, homes here can serve as another ideal residence for high-net-worth individuals from the Philippines.

Applicants can hold their investments directly or through family-owned investment holding vehicles, making it an advantage to those considering multi-generational planning and family office structures.

Upon fulfilling portfolio maintenance and residence requirements, participants and their dependants can apply for permanent residency, allowing them to live, work and study freely in Hong Kong. 

The new generation of Filipino HNWIs know that Hong Kong is far more than a financial hub. For most of them, this city is a future-ready environment where they can prosper and have peace of mind at the same time, thanks to the New CIES.


Editor's Note: This #BrandSpace story is produced by the Advertising Content Team that is independent of our Editorial newsroom. 


Read Entire Article