HKSAR passport and Home Return Permit

[pkboy]

Hello everyone, been scouring the forums for a bit and haven't found all the answers I need so I decided to make a topic.

I am currently in Canada and hold a BN(O) passport. I am returning to Hong Kong in July; I moved here for school then work.

Along with the BN(O), I have a HKPIC; one without a photo as it was issued overseas when I was 11, but it is valid since I used it along with my birth certificate to renew my BN(O) a while back. Yes, I realise now that the HKSAR passport is the better choice for traveling but I digress.

My main question is, can I send off an application for my HKSAR passport now and ask that they hold onto my passport until I can pick it up in person when I arrive in Hong Kong in July?

I don't want to miss the delivery of the HKSAR passport (since there a chance that I would be out of Canada when it is mailed) and I would like to start the process of getting my Home Return Permit as soon as I land in HK because I plan on finding work on the mainland if I can't find any work in HK.

Thanks everyone.

[pkboy]

Also I realised after looking at the card that I will have to renew it whenever I land back in Hong Kong, how long does that process take? The card I have doesn't have the stars on it, if that helps you in answering my question.

Edit 1: Upon further reading, I guess the lack of stars is because it was issued overseas back in 1994 when I was under 11 yrs old. Card still says I have right of abode in HK and that I should renew it within 30 days of return.

[Claire ex-ax]

Re the ID card, you can make an appointment online to get your smartcard. Saves time queuing.

[Morrison]

you are not even eligible to apply for a HKSAR passport as one req. is residency in HK.
pls check HK Immi's website

[pkboy]

you are not even eligible to apply for a HKSAR passport as one req. is residency in HK.
pls check HK Immi's website

GovHK: Frequently Asked Questions about HKSAR Passports

That website?

Am I eligible for a HKSAR Passport?
You are eligible to apply for a HKSAR Passport if you are a Chinese citizen, have the Right of Abode (ROA) in the HKSAR and are holding a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card (PIC).


As far as ROA, like I said in my previous posts my HKPIC states I do indeed have ROA in Hong Kong, and the card is valid but must be renewed within 30 days of my return to HK.

As for being a Chinese Citizen; "In general, you may have Chinese nationality if you are a Hong Kong resident of Chinese descent and born in Hong Kong or other parts of China"

I was born in Hong Kong.

Am I interpreting Q4 wrong?

I am a Chinese national holding a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card and a British National (Overseas) passport. Can I apply for a HKSAR Passport?
Yes, you can apply for a HKSAR Passport.


If I'm not reading all that wrong then I think I can apply for the passport.

I guess you did answer my question unintentionally; it looks like I'll have to pick it up in person anyway :-)

Thanks all, I'll sort my ID card and passport out before I arrive so I can hit the ground running

[rani]

Btw, last i heard, HKSAR passport takes about 9-12 months to process. You need to submit a number of supporting documents.

[Morrison]

If you were born out of HK then they will tell you it will take longer without giving a specific time frame.
They will check your ROA documents and then get back to you ( by surface mail ).
But it will definitely not take as much time as Rani mentioned.
However, if you applied for HKPID card abroad it might take a while as those docs are probably not in their puter

[rani]

Ok, could be. Friends that applied were not born in HK and were not Chinese nationals. So applying for Chinese Citizenship took a fair bit of time as well.

[Claire ex-ax]

You don't have any stars... are you of Chinese descent?

[pkboy]

You don't have any stars... are you of Chinese descent?

Yes. Like I said in my second post, it seems I lack the stars on my HKPIC because it was issued overseas back in 1994 when I was 10.

I was born in Hong Kong, both parents were born on the mainland. They are both in Hong Kong now and have been for the last 4 years, they have their HKSAR passports and I can only assume 3 stars on their HKPICs (I haven't asked yet)

Edit 1: Just adding for clarity, the card was issued when I was 10, not 11, they don't put stars on ID cards for under 11 year olds if what I'm reading is correct, please correct me if this is wrong.

It's an older card (non-smart chip) and has AMZY on it, so Abode, Born in HK, and checked against my birth certificate. Oh and M (male)