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  • 1 Post By HK_Katherine
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When to apply for PR when there are holiday gaps

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  1. #1

    Post When to apply for PR when there are holiday gaps

    Hi all,

    I have been ordinarily living in Hong Kong under dependent visa since April 2011.
    2 months later, 7 years would have been filled.

    I was absent from Hong Kong (but with a valid HK visa) on the following times
    - 1 month for holiday purpose on July 2011
    - 5 months for exchange studies from September 2017 - January 2018
    - Total of around 1 month for holiday from 2011.

    So in total, I was out of Hong Kong for a total of 7 months during that 7 year period.

    I know temporary absences do not "reset" the 7-year clock.
    I am wondering if "temporary absences" are removed when counting 7 years.

    Question 1: When do I apply for my PR?
    1. April 2018; or
    2. November 2018

    Question 2: If my application get rejected for some reason (such as "too early application submission"), will I get blacklisted or will be harder to get HKPR in the future?

    Question 3: for proving the fact that I stayed in HK for 7 continuous years, will school testimonial (proving I was registered student since XXX to XXX) be enough?

    Thanks a lot everyone

    Note:
    While on exchange studies, I have intended to remain in HK after my studies (which I am doing now), and was a actively registered student in my University.

    Last edited by eagleswr; 25-02-2018 at 02:10 PM.

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Aug 2015
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    Hong Kong
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    553

    I think it's 7 total. So if u were out of HK for 7 months then u need 7years and 7 months to apply for PR.


  3. #3

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    457

    I would say apply in April. Supporting documents include "school documents" - your school will be probably be quite familiar with this, but you can wait for the followup letter which will state what documents they want to see.

    https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services...html#secondTab


  4. #4

    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
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    6,317

    It's 7 years continuous end of story. It's up to the immigration officer to decide whether your absence resets the clock. Usually an absence of 6 months or more is counted as an absence then you need to explain yourself whereas absences less than 6 months don't matter. The key is that your home was HK, legally with a Visa -- not a tourist, and any absence was temporary.


  5. #5

    Join Date
    Feb 2018
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    Zhuhai
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    I thought time as a student didn't count as time being a resident…?
    Is being a student considered "ordinary residence"?


  6. #6

    Join Date
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    TST and Macau
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    You can apply after the 7 year period including short absences (less than 6 months at a time). If you get rejected (very unlikely, unless you gave up your address in HK), there is no blacklisting. Just apply again after all requirements are met.


  7. #7

    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tea addict:
    I think it's 7 total. So if u were out of HK for 7 months then u need 7years and 7 months to apply for PR.
    rubbish. it's 7 years from the entry date.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Dec 2013
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    Just in case anyone doubts this, by the way, I travel ALL the time. Often only for days, sometimes for weeks. But in total it would have added years to my time if it had all been taken into account. It wasn't and took 4 days to get my PR from submitting application.

    shri likes this.

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    Hong Kong
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    3,988
    Quote Originally Posted by HK_Katherine:
    rubbish. it's 7 years from the entry date.
    as HK_katherine said.

    the acid test is "ordinarily resident" so your short & explained absence would not be counted against you.
    shri likes this.

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Zhuhai
    Posts
    18
    Quote Originally Posted by eagleswr:
    - 5 months for exchange studies from September 2017 - January 2018
    Wouldn't this suggest that you were studying in HK at the time?
    Quote Originally Posted by Manhattan212:
    I thought time as a student didn't count as time being a resident…?
    Is being a student considered "ordinary residence"?
    How is ordinary residence defined?