My Complicated PR Story (Born in Hong Kong)

ItsJerry · 15-05-2023, 01:35 PM

Hi,
I posting this because my case was lil bit rare and I didn't seen same case as mine before. So I am writing this because it might help someone in future.
I was born in Hong Kong on 1995. My parents aren't Chinese. My father was living in Hong Kong from 1960 till 2005. He had PR there. My mother was a domestic helper. Because my parents didn't marry in Hong Kong my birth certificate was not established ( means I didn't have Right to abode) but I can stay there with my father there but my mother couldn't stay there as her visa was expired and my father couldn't support her there. I couldn't stay there too as I couldn't live without mother and my father was working person that's why he also couldn't take care of me. My father and mother actually got married in Hong Kong but it wasn't court marriage. It was religious marriage which doesn't have any right according to law.
Then they got married again in Philippines legally. I spent only two years in Hong Kong but I couldn't return Hong Kong there because my mother wasn't able to go there. So we lived in our Father country for approx 20+ years. In 2005, my father returned to Home Country and he was ill and wasn't able to go back in Hong Kong.
I was always eager to see my birth place. As I don't remember anything from my childhood. It was kind a dream for me. But due to our financial situation I wasn't able to return Hong Kong before age 21.
After some years I got some money which wasn't much. But I planned to travel with it. As I was holding Philippines Passport I can travel Hong Kong as visitor. So visa wasn't a problem. I some how clear immigration without any problem too as in my passport my birth place was mentioned.
At age of 27.5 I travel Hong Kong alone. I only had 2000$ which was life savings for me. A big amount for a middle class. I was afraid as It was my first time travelling alone.
In 11th December 2022 I landed Hong Kong. My first expression was its too much crowded. But living standard was much better and weather was ideal too. I like this city too much. I didn't go to immigration tower because I had to follow covid rules. PCR and self testing for one week.
When I reached there I met different people and told them my circumstances. Every one told me to hire a lawyer or consultant so that they can help you. But the lawyer fee was much higher which I can't afford.
I even met a scam lawyer he told me to give him 15000$ and he will solve my case in 2 weeks only.
But when I searched his law agency , the reviews weren't good. So I researched everything on internet and seen many cases but none was same like mine case. So I don't know what to do. I contacted immigration but they also didn't give me that much of knowledge which I can use.
It was December 16th I opened google maps and travelled to Immigration Wan Chai tower alone. With lil guidance from some cases which I see in google and geoexpat I fill the form. There was some mistakes like I tick that I lived in Hong Kong 7 years legally. Which I had re-correct afterwards.
I submitted my application in Dec 16th.
I got acknowledgment letter with documents requirement approx after 2.5 month passed.
The documents were like my passport copy, my father PR copy, My mothers passport copy, My old passport copy, fathers death certificate and explanation or can say declaration letter giving details of my past etc.
I wasn't planning to return Philippines as I spent fortunate already approx 1600$ in 2.5 months. Spent on rent etc. I was living in boarding house. So rent wasn't that much according to Hong Kong and people were cooperating. They all were labours who were earning more than 2000$ USD per month. After seeing that I really want Hong Kong RTL.
But unfortunately, they did not extend my visa after 90 days. With crushed hopes I returned Philippines.
I didn't know how much time will it take and my status was always showing progressing. So I contacting my case officer many times but he didn't give any positive response. But when I contacted my case officer on May 9th, 2023. He told me my case was complicated and they can't give refusal without considering other things. He also said that he can't promise as he also doesn't know about it. My dreams were crushed and I thought I wasted my money. Everyone around me was giving negative vibes. I was giving up certainly and was going back to my old life style. But on Mothers Day, I checked again my PR status and wasn't hoping for anything but my status was changed to invitation. I also posted on geoexpat to get any clarification on it. I was hoping that someone tell me I get RTL. I researched and it was most likely I got RTL and if case was rejected Status always changed to "Processing completed and reply letter was sent" but my status was changed to " Invitation to right to abode section ........" So I was annxious so I put my reference no. in enquiry of appointment. I got appointment details. Which assure me I got RTL. I couldn't sleep yesterday because I wasn't still sure about it. So I called today and my cases officer told me my RTL has been approved. That was the happiest moment for me.
I know there might be still struggles even after getting RTL but now I hoping to get positive change in my and mine family life.
Its Long story but in short " Great things take time"

chobochobo · 15-05-2023, 01:36 PM

Woah. Too long, but I read the last few sentences. I'm glad it ended well for you, whatever it was.

Morrison · 15-05-2023, 01:51 PM

I knew it’s you posting this

Flapster · 15-05-2023, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by ItsJerry:

Hi,
I posting this because my case was lil bit rare and I didn't seen same case as mine before. So I am writing this because it might help someone in future.
I was born in Hong Kong on 1995. My parents aren't Chinese. My father was living in Hong Kong from 1960 till 2005. He had PR there. My mother was a domestic helper. Because my parents didn't marry in Hong Kong my birth certificate was not established ( means I didn't have Right to abode) but I can stay there with my father there but my mother couldn't stay there as her visa was expired and my father couldn't support her there. I couldn't stay there too as I couldn't live without mother and my father was working person that's why he also couldn't take care of me. My father and mother actually got married in Hong Kong but it wasn't court marriage. It was religious marriage which doesn't have any right according to law.
Then they got married again in Philippines legally. I spent only two years in Hong Kong but I couldn't return Hong Kong there because my mother wasn't able to go there. So we lived in our Father country for approx 20+ years. In 2005, my father returned to Home Country and he was ill and wasn't able to go back in Hong Kong.
I was always eager to see my birth place. As I don't remember anything from my childhood. It was kind a dream for me. But due to our financial situation I wasn't able to return Hong Kong before age 21.
After some years I got some money which wasn't much. But I planned to travel with it. As I was holding Philippines Passport I can travel Hong Kong as visitor. So visa wasn't a problem. I some how clear immigration without any problem too as in my passport my birth place was mentioned.
At age of 27.5 I travel Hong Kong alone. I only had 2000$ which was life savings for me. A big amount for a middle class. I was afraid as It was my first time travelling alone.
In 11th December 2022 I landed Hong Kong. My first expression was its too much crowded. But living standard was much better and weather was ideal too. I like this city too much. I didn't go to immigration tower because I had to follow covid rules. PCR and self testing for one week.
When I reached there I met different people and told them my circumstances. Every one told me to hire a lawyer or consultant so that they can help you. But the lawyer fee was much higher which I can't afford.
I even met a scam lawyer he told me to give him 15000$ and he will solve my case in 2 weeks only.
But when I searched his law agency , the reviews weren't good. So I researched everything on internet and seen many cases but none was same like mine case. So I don't know what to do. I contacted immigration but they also didn't give me that much of knowledge which I can use.
It was December 16th I opened google maps and travelled to Immigration Wan Chai tower alone. With lil guidance from some cases which I see in google and geoexpat I fill the form. There was some mistakes like I tick that I lived in Hong Kong 7 years legally. Which I had re-correct afterwards.
I submitted my application in Dec 16th.
I got acknowledgment letter with documents requirement approx after 2.5 month passed.
The documents were like my passport copy, my father PR copy, My mothers passport copy, My old passport copy, fathers death certificate and explanation or can say declaration letter giving details of my past etc.
I wasn't planning to return Philippines as I spent fortunate already approx 1600$ in 2.5 months. Spent on rent etc. I was living in boarding house. So rent wasn't that much according to Hong Kong and people were cooperating. They all were labours who were earning more than 2000$ USD per month. After seeing that I really want Hong Kong RTL.
But unfortunately, they did not extend my visa after 90 days. With crushed hopes I returned Philippines.
I didn't know how much time will it take and my status was always showing progressing. So I contacting my case officer many times but he didn't give any positive response. But when I contacted my case officer on May 9th, 2023. He told me my case was complicated and they can't give refusal without considering other things. He also said that he can't promise as he also doesn't know about it. My dreams were crushed and I thought I wasted my money. Everyone around me was giving negative vibes. I was giving up certainly and was going back to my old life style. But on Mothers Day, I checked again my PR status and wasn't hoping for anything but my status was changed to invitation. I also posted on geoexpat to get any clarification on it. I was hoping that someone tell me I get RTL. I researched and it was most likely I got RTL and if case was rejected Status always changed to "Processing completed and reply letter was sent" but my status was changed to " Invitation to right to abode section ........" So I was annxious so I put my reference no. in enquiry of appointment. I got appointment details. Which assure me I got RTL. I couldn't sleep yesterday because I wasn't still sure about it. So I called today and my cases officer told me my RTL has been approved. That was the happiest moment for me.
I know there might be still struggles even after getting RTL but now I hoping to get positive change in my and mine family life.
Its Long story but in short " Great things take time"

Great read, and congrats on everything. Hope it works out here for you