Thanks, I think I am looking at the investment visa route. Already I have my own business but I doubt it would qualify as it is. I'm looking to really ramp it up and transform it over the next year in order to show how valuable it would be to HK and perhaps make an application in a year from now.
I just wondered if there was some easier route to it and how much you could really stretch the studying.
Or, for example, what is the longest that one can study or what are the exact rules on studying? For example, is it possible to go there under QMAS, at the one year first renewal date not yet have a job, and then just before the 2nd renewal date (end of year 3), register to do an educational course (first in Hong Kong), a 5 year degree? This would give you the 7 years needed to get the permanent residency, right?
Or what about the other way around? Go there and do a 2 year diploma. At the end of it, do another 2 year diploma. Then, assuming QMAS still exists (I have over 110 pts), get past the first renewal and when the second one comes round, have a job or business by then?
Obviously, a marriage of convenience is out of the question (quite apart from it being illegal, I wouldn't even know where to look even if one was curious!). And I can't bank on a regular marriage happening or not, would prefer something a little more concrete!
By the way, here is the clause on the study visa, it is really not clear:
Q11: What are the restrictions for extending my stay in Hong Kong to pursue further studies? A11: If you have successfully completed a full-time post-secondary programme in Hong Kong, you will normally be allowed to extend your stay to pursue another locally accredited full-time programme at a higher level of study. If you cannot complete a full-time programme at either degree or sub-degree level within the normal programme period, consideration may be given to extend your stay for up to one year so as to complete the programme. If you wish to switch to another locally accredited full-time programme before completing the earlier one, you will normally be allowed to extend your stay to pursue the new programme unless you would, with such extension, be able to accumulate five years or more of continuous residence in Hong Kong.
For example, the restrictions appear to only apply if you change course mid-way. It does not specify such restrictions for simply finishing a course of study and then studying something else at a "higher level" of study.
So it sounds like one can easily do a 2 year diploma and then a 4 year degree and then a PhD and get the 7 years that way? I wonder how tight that "higher level" definition is.....could one just do series of short courses (say 2 years) in succession.....?