am i eligible for HKSAR passport?

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  1. #1

    am i eligible for HKSAR passport?

    Hi everyone, my case is a bit complicated here and I really hope someone can shed some light on this.

    I was a Chinese citizen born in mainland China before the establishment of HKSAR.

    I immigrated to Singapore from China mainland and renounced PRC citizenship in order to acquire Singaporean citizenship in 2000.

    I have resided in HKSAR since 2001 and hold HK ROA and PIC now. I know I must have Chinese citizenship in order to have HKSAR pp.

    However when I check the HK immigration office's website, it says:

    "You are regarded as a person of Chinese nationality if you are a Hong Kong resident:
    (a) of Chinese descent who was born in Hong Kong or other parts of China; or
    (b) who fulfils the criteria of Chinese nationality in the Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China.
    "

    It's a bit confusing since I have already renounced PRC citizenship but basic law still recognizes me of Chinese nationality as I am born in China, therefore fulfills (a).

    So, am I eligible for a HKSAR passport? If not, I am willing to renounce Singapore citizenship to get one.


  2. #2

    Join Date
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    why dont u just go an apply for and see what happens, have u been rejected by HK Immg or what.


  3. #3

    Join Date
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    Obviously, renouncing the citizenship (Article 11 here) overrides criteria for eligibility. Article 13 says:

    Article 13 Foreign nationals who once held Chinese nationality may apply for restoration of Chinese nationality if they have legitimate reasons; those whose applications for restoration of Chinese nationality have been approved shall not retain foreign nationality.
    so in principle all you have to do is show a legitimate reason for what you want to do. I have no idea whether the authorities regard "bypassing the distinction between mainland and HK passports by taking a few years of a third nationality" as a legitimate reason - the only way to find out is to give it a try. Please let us know how you get on for future reference.

  4. #4

    Join Date
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    Does your HKPIC say ***AX or just AX? That would be a good indicator.

    As PDLM says, the only way is to apply and find out. Also, when you acquired Singaporean citizenship, did you formally go to the PRC embassy to renounce your Chinese citizenship or was it just a written statement? If you formally renounced it, I think the only way you can obtain a HKSAR passport is to renounce your Singaporean citizenship and apply for restoration of Chinese nationality.

    Last edited by Aritaurus; 21-04-2009 at 11:12 PM.