from belgium to HK to China - which travel docs?

[absentmind]

I'm a HK chinese, born in 1985 HK and lived there till I was 5 then moved to Belgium.
I have my HK permanent identity card from childhood issued in 1994 and a Belgian passport.
I'm leaving in November for about 3 weeks, first to HK to renew my HK ID then I'm planning to go to China with the bus to visit my father.

I'm thinking of entering HK with my old HK ID, apply for new HK ID and ask my aunt to get it when it's done. While I travel further to China with my Belgian passport and single entry visa. Then go back to HK and from here back to Belgium.

But I'm wondering if I use my Belgium passport to enter China would that affect my application for the new HK ID? Since they'll know I have a foreign nationality would they refuse my application?

And I can't apply for a Home China Permit or whatever it's called, it just takes too long.

Please give your opinions.

[Hairball]

Using a foreign passport to enter Hong Kong even if you hold ROA status is fine, especially if you're in the process of applying for a new card.

I think technically you're not really applying, it's more like you're getting an updated ID card, so it should be fine to use it on entry.

HK Chinese residents (such as you) are supposed to use the Home Return Permit to enter mainland China. I've heard of people who have ROA and Chinese nationality being refused when applying for a Chinese visa in their foreign passport.

You can try to apply, and if you can get the visa, you can use it to enter mainland China.

[cagal]

Let me share my horrible experience with you.

I entered into Hong Kong with HK I/D card and then plan to renew my Home Return Permit for an onwards trip to Shanghai in 3 days.

Unfortunately, I was told that an investigation period of at least 2 weeks is required prior to the renewal of my Home Return Permit. Due to time constraint, I applied for a China Visa instead. It was rejected coz "NO" entry stamp into Hong Kong on my U.S. passport, they started to query about my status of citizenship.

After 8 hours of running back & forth between HK Immigration & China Visa Dept. Finally, I must declare to forfeit my HK citizenship in order to qualify for a China Visa application on my U.S. passport.

Hope you deal with your case careful, good luck!

[Hairball]

So you gave away Chinese nationality and/or ROA so you can visit Shanghai?

Did you "declare your foreign nationality" to the immigration dept?

[cagal]

Yup, I gave up my HK citizenship but still a permanent residence. The difference is not huge at all, I still can work and live here without voting authority.

I should have just gone to Macao for a day trip and returned with my HK I/D then should have resolved the problem.

Silly me!

[Gatts]

I wouldn't worry about a thing. Entering China with a Belgium passport has no relation at all with HK immigration. Even if they would know, it doesn't change anything since your applying for HKID which is totally different then applying HK nationality/passport.

[lulumay]

you should renew you HKID card at the chinese consulate in Europe. You should also apply for your Home China Permit in Europe.

HK immigration do not have to let you into the city without valid current travel documents.

if you have questions, check with the chinese consulate. We are just a bunch of idiots.

[Gatts]

you should renew you HKID card at the chinese consulate in Europe. You should also apply for your Home China Permit in Europe.

HK immigration do not have to let you into the city without valid current travel documents.

if you have questions, check with the chinese consulate. We are just a bunch of idiots.

Alternatively, you can also enter HK on your Belgian passport and then re-apply for your HK ID. Applying from Europe can take a lot of time.

[absentmind]

My mother said if I enter HK with Belgian passport it could raise questions when i go apply for the new HK ID since it would show in the records.

So now I'm thinking to try get a HK Re-entry Permit with my old children HK ID (really old the kind with no photo) at the Chinese ambassy in Belgium. But I kinda doubt if this will work otherwise I'll need to get visa with my Belgian passport to enter China.

Hah... all this crap is so complicated. -_-

[cagal]

To my understanding, you need to have an updated HK I/D in order to apply for the Re-entry permit.

Yup, it is so damn complicated so hope you better it right. In my case, I was hassled/interrogated for the whole full day by the Immigration and Chinese Visa Dept.

Best of luck!