Complicated Situation with Visa and PR.

[chuckster007]

coming back from the UK is very hard right now, you will need to spend 21 nights out in another country before you can come back to HK then you need to spend another 21 nights in QT and thats if you test negative on arrival. many are getting caught on arrival as positive, then you are screwed.

I wouldnt leave HK until you sorted out your PR here. you can easily get a visa extension while waiting for PR application.

[LukeUk]

I’d be very careful, if I’d even suggest you stay here if PR means that much to you.

I applied 5 weeks early prior to my PR anniversary date back in august and got a polite letter from immigration detailing all my stats in Hong Kong according to their records and that I was just a few weeks’ shy of the 7 years. They said that I did not quite fully satisfy all the requirements, but included an application form to apply again in a few weeks. I did just that and all was approved.

That being said, I did have a work visa to take me past the 7 year anniversary date, and I believe the visa geezer has warned about applying for PR on your 7 day anniversary without being in valid employment. I’d honestly spend the cash to seek his professional advice if I were you.

[bdw]

This - I am not too worried. My understanding is that Immigration will offer extension of stay until the PR decision is made. Given that I have been paying tax every year, I hope I get the PR. My concern was more on "whether I could enter HK back 4 weeks prior to visa expiry." Thank you!

I think your concerns are misguided and you need to extend your current employment visa one month before it expires. Then you can relax and apply PR anytime you want after this.

[cavaliers22]

Thank you, and thanks others for the post. Do you know the agency / lawyer that may be specialized in these or anyone you recommend? I don't mind spending money to get assistance and assurance. Appreciate help and time in answering my questions!

[waiming]

I would definitely go with hongkongvisageeza if you can afford a $3k consultation. I can personally recommend him. Be very careful who you go with because there are people giving bad advice — I did a free initial consultation with one and they made statements about the law that were flatly incorrect.

[aw451]

If you pay the Visa Geezer, you will just receive roughly the same advice as you have received here. The immigration department aren't currently in a situation where you can grease someone's palms to get better treatment

[anon_third_part]

Stay till you get PR, then you can relax. You shouldn't consider any other hair brained strategy. Far too much risk

[waiming]

If you pay the Visa Geezer, you will just receive roughly the same advice as you have received here. The immigration department aren't currently in a situation where you can grease someone's palms to get better treatment

Agreed immd won't bend the rules. But getting visageeza's advice would be good on the details of exactly what days' presence in HK will be accepted in terms of a last-day VEPIC application, creative ways to get a visa extension (e.g. perhaps signing up for a study visa), etc — i.e. creating facts on the ground to fit the rules.

I've helped a lot of people with Right of Abode verification, and I know the rules for Right to Land verification like the back of my hand, but I'd still seek professional advice in a complex situation like this — unless the original poster is able to stick around in HK until April, in which case it's fairly simple.

[Trebor]

I think your concerns are misguided and you need to extend your current employment visa one month before it expires. Then you can relax and apply PR anytime you want after this.

This.

I was in the same position in 2019. I had to extend my GEP for one year.

[JAherbert]

my 2 cents:

1. as others have said, STAY until you have completed 7 years, your visa expiry at 7 years is perfectly normal
2. submit the application with supporting records lease, bills, etc. covering continuous 7 year period
3. you have to be ordinarily resident for 7 years, OP didn't mention his flat, while gone? OP needs need to maintain flat/bills here for contagious 7 years
4. IMHO it would be crazy to leave given the uncertainly with travel and restrictions, OP might not be able to return when you want.
5. get PR first