Fast VEPIC (PR) application response time

[waiming]

I helped some relatives apply for PR over Christmas. It took just one day to process (i.e. they sent out the interview letter the next day).

It was for non-Chinese citizens who'd lived in HK for 7 years (one on a visa and one who had Right to Land), submitting ROP145 and ROP146 at the same time.

[PatOlympic]

That sounds really fast. Could you tell us what supporting documentation, if any, was submitted?

[waiming]

No supporting documentation, just ROP145 and ROP146.

But it was a simple case: valid visas / RTL, and no continuous absences of 6 months or more.

[PatOlympic]

Have a few follow up questions, if I may. For my own personal reasons, I am trying to minimize the period from becoming eligible to apply for PR until holding the physical card in my hand, so that I can travel overseas.

* I need to apply for a visa extension as my current work visa expires at the 7-year mark. For this reason, I am unable to submit the application 1 month ahead of becoming eligible, but rather 3 weeks or so (assuming it takes one week to extend the work visa). Do you think there is any upside to submitting 3 weeks early, or am I better of waiting until 7 years on the exact day, and then submitting the application electronically?

* Any thoughts on what to say on form ROP 146, where they ask you about concrete steps you have taken that show you are making HK your only place of permanent residence?

* Supporting docs. I haven't been out of HK for more than a few weeks over the last 7 years. I think it should be very straightforward to evaluate my application. Is my best strategy to not submit any supporting documents at all?

[waiming]

Yes I think you're right about the visa extension time. I've known them do same-day extensions in the past but this application took a week.

In theory it doesn't matter whether you apply for the VEPIC three weeks early. But in these omicron-blighted times, I'd be inclined to apply early in case of unforseeable disruption.

Doesn't sound like you need supporting docs or concrete steps — if you've been here almost the whole time then it should be clear cut.

[Aritaurus]

No supporting documentation, just ROP145 and ROP146.

But it was a simple case: valid visas / RTL, and no continuous absences of 6 months or more.

They really didn't ask for pay stubs, rental agreements, bank statements etc?

I have RTL and I've been here for almost 4 years now. I'm worried that they won't count the first year of my continual residence here since I didn't have an bank account and wasn't employed until the second year.

Are you saying that they'll just simply check that I've been here for 7 years straight without any absences longer than 6 months and that will be good enough?

[emx]

Are you saying that they'll just simply check that I've been here for 7 years straight without any absences longer than 6 months and that will be good enough?

Yes, plenty of spouses here do not work for the 7 years required.

[PatOlympic]

Sorry for asking this in a blunt way, but something doesn't seem to add up here. I applied for VEPIC earlier this month exactly on the 7 year mark. After clicking on the final submit button I received a 'transaction reference number'. However, this is different from the 'Application Reference Number' that is needed in order to check the status of your application.

I don't see how it would be possible to process it in one day, because you don't even have your 'Application Reference Number' on day 2.

Or did you mean that 4-5 days after submitting the application online you got a letter from the Immigration Department, and this letter was dated day 2 post-submission?

[waiming]

Sorry for asking this in a blunt way, but something doesn't seem to add up here [...]
did you mean that 4-5 days after submitting the application online you got a letter from the Immigration Department, and this letter was dated day 2 post-submission?

That's ok Pat, glad to clarify! These were paper applications physically submitted at Immigration Tower in Wanchai. The paper letters from the Immigration Department were dated the day after submission.

[PatOlympic]

Thanks, that makes sense and is very helpful.

I will keep posting in this thread as my application progresses, so that others can get an idea of what timeline to expect during the omicron wave.