Is it easy to apply for Hong Kong permanent residency? How can one meet the requirements for permanent residency?

炒年糕的貓貓
Jan 10
2 min read

Updated: Feb 5

After introducing Oceanus Strategic‘s services in the previous article, we've recently received a number of inquiries from our clients about applying for Hong Kong permanent residency.

Our team has noticed that many people still have a lot of questions about the specific requirements for permanent residency and are confused about whether they meet the qualifications for application. Today, we’ll address the most frequently asked questions one by one!

Q1：What are the application requirements for Hong Kong permanent residency?

Hold a valid visa for at least 7 years.
Generally, have resided in Hong Kong continuously for 7 years.

Q2：What does "continuous residence" mean?

The Hong Kong Immigration Department does not have a clear definition of "continuous residence." If an applicant has been absent from Hong Kong for more than 6 months at a time, they must declare and explain the reasons for their departure.

Case Sharing

Client J, an executive at an international company, frequently travels to different countries for business. The Immigration Department noticed that the applicant had been absent from Hong Kong for an extended period. Oceanus then requested records of all the business activities attended by the client, along with flight records showing travel to various countries for business meetings. The explanation was that due to work commitments, the client had been away from Hong Kong for long periods. After providing the necessary documentation, the application was successfully approved after 2 months.

Q3：How can I verify the number of days I’ve stayed in Hong Kong?

You can apply to the Immigration Department for your entry and exit records to check the total number of days you've stayed in Hong Kong and whether you have been absent for more than 6 months at a time.

Q4：What should I do if I have special reasons for being absent from Hong Kong for a long time?

Based on our repeated success in assisting clients with permanent residency applications, the Immigration Department will consider the overall circumstances of the applicant when reviewing the application. They primarily examine the following three aspects:

The actual number of days the applicant has stayed in Hong Kong.
The applicant’s connection to Hong Kong (including family relationships, work situation, social contributions, etc.).
Whether the applicant considers Hong Kong as their main place of residence.

Q5：How can I increase my chances of success in applying for permanent residency?

Oceanus Strategic provides tailored planning suggestions based on each client’s specific situation. We assist clients in preparing additional documents (such as housing records, MPF, tax filings, etc.) in advance, which can improve the likelihood of a successful application. We recommend that clients start planning early to ensure a smooth path toward achieving permanent residency.

Conclusion

If you are planning to immigrate to Hong Kong, feel free to contact Oceanus Strategic for consultation. Our team will provide you with professional advice. In the future, we will also publish more interesting articles, so stay tuned.