How are the 7 years for the ROA exactly calculated

[panda05]

I have been living and working in HK for nearly 4 years. I will be posted to Europe for 1.5 years. However, my HK Visa will not expiry for those 1.5 years. Can I apply for the ROA after 3 years or will the count start at 0 when I am back?

[Hairball]

Being away for 1.5 years would probably not be very favourable for you, that doesn't appear to show that you are ordinarily resident in Hong Kong.

[carang]

most likely back at 0 as you can only be gone for a certain length of time. if you are gone for 1.5 years, then hk has not been your PRIMARY residence for that time, so you start back at 0.

but i'm not an immigration officer. you may want to contact them and ask them...just to be sure.

[PDLM]

The problem is that the onus is on you to prove that you have been continuously resident in HK for the 7 years. Normally that involves showing leases, tax returns and so on. Moreover, if you cease employment in HK your HK employer is required to tell Immigration and Inland Revenue.

So basically the answer is back to zero.