Hi, yes Morrison is correct. I got my Home Return Permit back in Sep. '21, as I initially planned to go to China possibly to teach. The fact that you were born in HK and are HK permanent resident makes you eligible. There's also the 'ethnic' aspect of possessing Chinese nationality 'by birth.' I am interested whether a HK Permanent resident, born in HK, yet not ethnic Chinese could still be eligible if they possess ‘Chinese nationality’ by ‘naturalization.’
When I applied, Chinese was still engulfed in Covid, and it may have caused a stricter line of questioning by the officer. This blog, https://beawander.com/home-return-permit/, gives a good decription of the process, yet I feel she makes it simpler than it really is, regarding those born in HK, which she feels are a ‘shoo-in’ to get the Permit. From my experience, it was no sure thing, I was fairly nervous during the process. Asked me lots of probing question about my family background, why I got a new HKID previously, etc. Seems they may still have that ‘blood and soil’ mentality, though some European countries have a similar policy regarding offering passport/citizenship to those of blood lineage/descent.
Ironically, when got my US Green Card the year, I felt at ease with the US consular officer.
By the ways, Degan, do you plan to file your US Tax return through an in-person accountant here HK this year? I did that last year with USAsiaTax, but I feel it would be more economical to use an online service like Greenback Expat Tax. I don’t anticipate, from last year’s experience, that I will owe any taxes due to the FEIE- Foreign Income Exclusion(2555), so I plan to file with Greenback Expat Tax around June(expats get an automatic 2-month extension for the 1040, 2555, 1116 if needed). FBAR is due in October, obviously.