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How to Obtain Hong Kong Permanent Residency After 7 Years of Ordinary Residence: A Comprehensive Guide

July 14th, 2023

Posted in Feature Article, Long Stay & PR, Musing, The Hong Kong Visa Geeza /


 

Learn how to qualify for Hong Kong Permanent Residency after 7 years of living in the HKSAR continuously. Find out the requirements, challenges, and resources available to help you navigate a right of abode application

 

How to Obtain Hong Kong Permanent Residency

 

1. Hong Kong Permanent Residency – A Gold Medal In The Hong Kong Immigration Olympics

Hong Kong Permanent Residency also known as the Right of Abode, is a coveted status for foreign nationals who have made Hong Kong their permanent home. This comprehensive guide will help you understand the requirements for obtaining the Right of Abode after living in Hong Kong for 7 years and provide you with valuable resources to navigate the PR application process.

2. Hong Kong Permanent Residency – The Test For Approval

You need to have been continuously and ordinarily resident in Hong Kong for a period of not less than seven years where any absences from Hong Kong in that time – be they of long or short duration – are of a merely temporary nature as evidenced by what you leave behind in Hong Kong to return back to at the end of each temporary stay abroad. You need to have held back-to-back residence visas throughout the seven years claimed as ordinary residence in Hong Kong; must be no security objection to being granted the Right of Abode; must be no outstanding taxation liabilities in your hands in Hong Kong at the time that you’re applying for Right of Abode. And you need to have been in Hong Kong for a settled purpose. Your settled purpose is a function of the visa type that you hold

3. Hong Kong Permanent Residency – Can You Qualify?

  1. Residing continuously and ordinarily for at least 7 years: You must have been a continuous and ordinary resident in Hong Kong for no less than seven years. Any absences from Hong Kong during this period, regardless of their duration, should be temporary in nature. This can be demonstrated by the evidence of your connections in Hong Kong, which you return to after each temporary stay abroad.
  2. Consecutive residence visas: Throughout the seven years claimed, you must maintain consecutive residence visas without any gaps while holding a visitor visa during your ordinary residence in Hong Kong.
  3. No security concerns: There should be no security concerns preventing you from being granted the Right of Abode.
  4. No unresolved tax liabilities: At the time of applying for the Right of Abode, you must not have any outstanding tax liabilities in Hong Kong.
  5. Settled purpose in Hong Kong: Your stay in Hong Kong must be for an established purpose, which is determined by the type of visa you hold.

4. Demonstrating Continuous Residence and Temporary Absences

To prove your continuous residence in Hong Kong, you need to provide evidence of what you leave behind in the city during your temporary absences. Examples of acceptable documentation include:

  1. Habitual place of residence
  2. MPF contributions
  3. Children in school
  4. Employment records
  5. Carrying on a business
  6. Etc

5. Settled Purpose and Visa Types

Your settled purpose in Hong Kong is determined by the type of visa you hold. Different visa types have varying implications for your eligibility for HKPR. For example, employment visas, investment visas, and dependent visas will all contribute to your settled purpose and eligibility for HKPR assuming that continous ordinary residence for the full 7 years can be made out.

6. Challenges and Resources for Navigating the Hong Kong Permanent Residency Application Process

Applying for HKPR can be challenging, but there are numerous resources available to help you navigate the process:

7. End Note

Understanding the requirements and challenges associated with obtaining Hong Kong Permanent Residency (aka right of abode) after 7 years of continuous living is essential for a successful application. By leveraging the resources provided and seeking professional advice when needed, you can increase your chances of achieving your goal of becoming a permanent resident in Hong Kong.

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I Have Lived In Hong Kong For 5 Years – Can I Extend My Work Visa For 2 Years, Quit My job, Study Full Time Then Apply For The Right Of Abode?

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The Hong Kong Visa Geeza (a.k.a Stephen Barnes) is a co-founder of the Hong Kong Visa Centre and author of the Hong Kong Visa Handbook. A law graduate of the London School of Economics, Stephen has been practicing Hong Kong immigration since 1993 and is widely acknowledged as the leading authority on business immigration matters here for the last 24 years.

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