On 19 May 2026, the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) issued revisions to several of its Guidelines. The key changes are summarised below.
The revisions to Guidelines I.6 and Guidelines III.10 are made mainly to reflect that the MPFA’s “eApplication Submission Platform for MPF Products” (eAS) has been enhanced to facilitate electronic submission of applications to the MPFA for approval of pooled investment funds (PIFs) and index-tracking collective investment schemes (ITCISs). This means that going forward, applications for approval of PIFs and ITCIS must be submitted via eAS.
| Guidelines | Key Changes |
|---|---|
| Guidelines I.6 – Guidelines on Application for Approval of Pooled Investment Funds | Revised to –(1) include the information about the designation of eAS by the MPFA under section 6KA of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (MPFSO) for the purposes of submission of applications for approval of PIFs; and(2) reflect the specification of five new electronic forms by the MPFA for use by applicants to submit applications for PIFs.While the completed application forms and the relevant supporting documents are requested to be submitted through the eAS, the payment of application fees must continue to be submitted to the MPFA’s office. |
| Guidelines III.10 – Guidelines on Index-Tracking Collective Investment Schemes | Revised to include the information about the designation of eAS by the MPFA under section 6KA of the MPFSO for the purposes of submission of applications for approval of ITCISs by applicants.Note that applications to the MPFA for waiver from compliance with section 2(1) and (2) of Schedule 1 to the Regulation must continue to be submitted via email to MPFesubmission@mpfa.org.hk. |
| Guidelines I.5 – Guidelines on Application for Approval of Constituent Funds | Revised to make some housekeeping amendments including clarification that the means of submission of applications is through the eAS only. |
| Guidelines I.1 – Guidelines on Application for Approval as Approved Trustees and Application for Approval as Controllers of Approved Trustees | Revised to:(1) specify email as the preferred means of submission of applications to the MPFA; and/or(2) make some housekeeping amendments including update to some of the forms.Moving forward, applications to the MPFA concerning matters covered by these guidelines are required to be submitted via email, replacing the previous requirement for hard copies.Payment of application fees (where applicable) must continue to be submitted to the MPFA’s office. |
| Guidelines I.2 – Guidelines on Application for Registration of Provident Fund Schemes | |
| Guidelines I.4 – Guidelines on Eligible Insurers | |
| Guidelines I.8 – Guidelines on Custodial / Subcustodial Agreement | |
| Guidelines I.10 – Guidelines on Application for Cancellation of Approval of Constituent Funds | |
| Guidelines I.11 – Guidelines on Application for Cancellation of Approval of Pooled Investment Funds |
For further information, please contact:
Ming Chiu Li, Partner, Deacons
mingchiu.li@deacons.com
