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Permanent Residency Eligibility

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1.Ordinary Residence: 

  • "Ordinarily resident" means living in Hong Kong lawfully, voluntarily, and for a settled purpose (e.g., employment, study, or family reunion)

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2.1. Chinese Citizens: 

  •  Chinese citizens born in Hong Kong before or after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) are eligible for permanent residency.

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  • Chinese citizens born outside Hong Kong to parents who are permanent residents may also qualify.

 

  •  Chinese citizens born in Hong Kong before or after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) are eligible for permanent residency. Chinese citizens born outside Hong Kong to parents who are permanent residents may also qualify.​​

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  • Chinese citizens born in Hong Kong before or after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) are eligible for permanent residency.

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  • Chinese citizens born outside Hong Kong to parents who are permanent residents may also qualify.

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2.2 Non-Chinese Nationals:

  • Non-Chinese nationals who have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of seven years or more may apply for permanent residency, provided they meet other requirements (e.g., no criminal record).

 

​ 3. A person who has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years may apply for the right of abode (permanent residency).

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4. Persons Admitted Under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS):

  • Individuals admitted under this scheme, which is designed to attract highly skilled or talented persons to settle in Hong Kong, may apply for permanent residency after seven years of continuous ordinary residence.​

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​5. Persons Admitted Under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES):​

  • Individuals who have made a substantial capital investment in Hong Kong under this scheme may qualify for permanent residency after seven years of continuous ordinary residence. (Note: This scheme was suspended in 2015, but those admitted before the suspension may still be eligible.)
     

6. Persons Admitted Under the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP):

  • Mainland Chinese residents admitted under this scheme to work in Hong Kong may apply for permanent residency after seven years of continuous ordinary residence.
     

7. Persons Admitted Under the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents:

  • Children of Hong Kong permanent residents who were born outside Hong Kong may apply for permanent residency after meeting the seven-year ordinary residence requirement.
     

8. Persons Admitted Under the Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS):

  • Individuals admitted under this scheme to work in the technology sector may qualify for permanent residency after seven years of continuous ordinary residence.

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9. Persons Admitted Under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-Local Graduates (IANG):

  • Non-local graduates who have obtained a degree or higher qualification from a recognized Hong Kong institution and are admitted under this scheme may apply for permanent residency after seven years of continuous ordinary residence.

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10. Persons Admitted Under the Dependant Policy:

  • Dependants (e.g., spouses and unmarried children under 18) of Hong Kong permanent residents or individuals admitted under other schemes may qualify for permanent residency after seven years of continuous ordinary residence.

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11. Persons Admitted Under the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS):

  • High-income individuals and top university graduates admitted under this scheme may apply for permanent residency after seven years of continuous ordinary residence.

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12. Persons Admitted Under the Supplementary Labour Scheme:

  • Individuals admitted under this scheme to fill specific labor shortages may qualify for permanent residency after seven years of continuous ordinary residence, provided they meet other requirements.

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13. Persons Admitted Under the General Employment Policy (GEP):

  • Professionals, entrepreneurs, and skilled individuals admitted under this policy may apply for permanent residency after seven years of continuous ordinary residence.

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14. Persons Admitted Under the Training Visa Scheme:

  • Individuals admitted for training purposes may qualify for permanent residency if they transition to another visa category (e.g., employment) and meet the seven-year ordinary residence requirement.

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15. Persons Admitted Under the Working Holiday Scheme:

  • While this scheme is primarily for short-term stays, participants who transition to another visa category (e.g., employment) and meet the seven-year ordinary residence requirement may qualify for permanent residency.

16. Persons Admitted Under the Refugee Status or Torture Claims:

  • Individuals granted refugee status or protection against torture claims may qualify for permanent residency after seven years of continuous ordinary residence, provided they meet other requirements.

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17. Persons Admitted Under the Right of Abode (ROA) for Chinese Citizens:

  • Chinese citizens born outside Hong Kong to parents who are permanent residents may qualify for permanent residency without the seven-year requirement, but those who are not eligible under this provision may still qualify after seven years of ordinary residence.

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18. Persons Admitted Under the One-Way Permit Scheme:

  • Mainland Chinese residents admitted under this scheme to reunite with family in Hong Kong may apply for permanent residency after seven years of continuous ordinary residence.

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