Attaining Permanent Residency

[Editor]

What does it take to become a Hong Kong permanent resident? Many expats begin the pursuit of permanent residency in Hong Kong for career and economical reasons or simply to have a place to fall back on in these uncertain times. We explore the process through which expats can attain the right of abode in Hong Kong, so you know exactly where to start.
http://hongkong.geoexpat.com/article...nent-residency

Share your experiences: Have any tricky issues cropped up in your PR application? Have you been denied PR and if so, why?

[Gruntfuttock]

Two comments on that article:

1) In "Meeting the 7 year requirement" it talks of the clock "stopping". That doesn't happen - either ImmD agrees that your temporary absence didn't break your ordinary residence (in which case the clock just continues running, including the period you were outside HK), or they determine that it did (in which case the clock doesn't stop - it resets to zero and you have to start the 7 years all over again).

2) in "Start Counting" it says there really is no downside - there is one: if you are planning to marry a Mainland Chinese citizen (with no right of abode anywhere outside China) you should not apply for PR until you have done so and they have joined you in HK; mainland spouses of people on Employment and other visas can immediately secure a Dependant Visa, but mainland spouses of PRs (with no right of abode elsewhere) cannot - they need to join the queue for a "one-way permit" from the mainland, which is a tortuous and lengthy process.

[Claire ex-ax]

I can't comment on the PR process as it was different when I applied in '97, but one thing I didn't expect was the reaction of my colleagues and local friends. There were some concerns around/about the handover, and we saw some expats leave, particularly shorter-stay ones from the UK. After I had gone to Harbour Building to complete the form and get an appointment for the new card, I told people that I was (now, then) a PR. It wasn't a big deal to me but I was thanked for supporting and believing in Hong Kong, and in them, enough to sign a form confirming I called the city 'home'. Kind of strange but it was an uncertain time and I guess if you'd seen people leaving, then and after '89... Or perhaps I just have weird friends.

[usehername]

Can anyone clarify this sentence in the OP article:

"It is important to note that once your application is approved for processing but not yet finalized, all conditions limiting your stay in Hong Kong will be removed, meaning your current visa will be cancelled, so you must apply for an extension of stay before the expiration of your current visa. It's just a formality but it should not be overlooked."

My current work visa will be cancelled when I apply for pr??

[elle]

Can anyone clarify this sentence in the OP article:
.......

My current work visa will be cancelled when I apply for pr??

No it won't. However, there are many cases when the current visa (employment, dependent, etc) ends exactly at the 7 year deadline. You have to renew your visa in order to apply for permanent residency.

[Gruntfuttock]

I simply don't understand that statement in the article. What Elle said above is true, but if you already have a visa which extends beyond the 7 year mark then that visa continues to be valid until PR is granted (or it expires, whichever comes first). I think the writer may have been confused by the previous process for applying for PR which was done in two stages: first apply for unconditional stay, then apply for PR if granted. These two stages were combined into one some years ago.

There are two other errors that I pointed out in my earlier response, but the powers that be don't seem to be interested in correcting the article.

[usehername]

Ok thank you. My work visa extends way beyond my 7 year anniversary so shouldn't be an issue.