Originally Posted by natnato:
Hi Fei,
Yes I applied for China home return permit weeks ago. It was a fairly straightforward process after I used google translate to read the instructions on their website and book an appointment here:
https://ww1.ctshk.com/zh/ch-chinapermit/
Docs I provided (bring original + 1 copy of each)
- Application form: You can download it from the website above. I tried to fill it with my broken understanding of Chinese + copying the characters I could copy. But on the spot, the lady at the counter did help me correct a lot of mistakes on my form and even filled up sections on my behalf so don't worry if you can't fill the form in chinese beforehand. They can fill it on the pot for you
- HK permanent ID: This should have your chinese name. If not, go to Immigration Dept. to apply for a new ID with a chinese name
- Certificate of naturalization: this is what you get from IMMD, "the most important document" IMMD said.
- Certificate of Registered Particulars: See my post above. you get this from IMMD and be sure to include as many particulars as possible
- Certificate of renunciation of previous nationality: This is in lieu of the last foreign passport held before naturalising as chinese because my former nationality took away my last passport at time of renunciation. Oh you also have to write a letter to explain why you cannot provide the last passport you held before naturalising as Chinese. I asked the lady to write it in chinese on my behalf
- HKSAR passport
- Photo: It's very easy to get a photo on the spot, just go upstairs and takes 5min. However if you want bring your own photo they are picky and require a pre-verification slip (issued by them) for every photo taken from outside e.g. FOTOMAX.
Took around 40mins to apply on the spot. Lady told me it takes "up to 6-12 months" to process for first time applicants and they will call me when they have the result. So I've been waiting.
I hope I get it quickly as it is quite inconvenient for me not to be able to go to China (I used to go once per month before naturalising).
I'm actually curious if anyone knows, what are the criteria to assess first time applicants who are not ethnically Chinese (nor Asian), and speak no chinese ?