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How to Obtain Hong Kong Permanent Residency After 7 Years of Ordinary Residence: A Comprehensive Guide

July 14th, 2023

Posted by / in Feature Article, Long Stay & PR, Musing, VG Front Page / 4 responses


 

Learn how to qualify for Hong Kong Permanent Residency after 7 years of living in the HKSAR continuously. Find out the requirements, challenges, and resources available to help you navigate a right of abode application

 

How to Obtain Hong Kong Permanent Residency

 

1. Hong Kong Permanent Residency – A Gold Medal In The Hong Kong Immigration Olympics

Hong Kong Permanent Residency also known as the Right of Abode, is a coveted status for foreign nationals who have made Hong Kong their permanent home. This comprehensive guide will help you understand the requirements for obtaining the Right of Abode after living in Hong Kong for 7 years and provide you with valuable resources to navigate the PR application process.

2. Hong Kong Permanent Residency – The Test For Approval

You need to have been continuously and ordinarily resident in Hong Kong for a period of not less than seven years where any absences from Hong Kong in that time – be they of long or short duration – are of a merely temporary nature as evidenced by what you leave behind in Hong Kong to return back to at the end of each temporary stay abroad. You need to have held back-to-back residence visas throughout the seven years claimed as ordinary residence in Hong Kong; must be no security objection to being granted the Right of Abode; must be no outstanding taxation liabilities in your hands in Hong Kong at the time that you’re applying for Right of Abode. And you need to have been in Hong Kong for a settled purpose. Your settled purpose is a function of the visa type that you hold

3. Hong Kong Permanent Residency – Can You Qualify?

  1. Residing continuously and ordinarily for at least 7 years: You must have been a continuous and ordinary resident in Hong Kong for no less than seven years. Any absences from Hong Kong during this period, regardless of their duration, should be temporary in nature. This can be demonstrated by the evidence of your connections in Hong Kong, which you return to after each temporary stay abroad.
  2. Consecutive residence visas: Throughout the seven years claimed, you must maintain consecutive residence visas without any gaps while holding a visitor visa during your ordinary residence in Hong Kong.
  3. No security concerns: There should be no security concerns preventing you from being granted the Right of Abode.
  4. No unresolved tax liabilities: At the time of applying for the Right of Abode, you must not have any outstanding tax liabilities in Hong Kong.
  5. Settled purpose in Hong Kong: Your stay in Hong Kong must be for an established purpose, which is determined by the type of visa you hold.

4. Demonstrating Continuous Residence and Temporary Absences

To prove your continuous residence in Hong Kong, you need to provide evidence of what you leave behind in the city during your temporary absences. Examples of acceptable documentation include:

  1. Habitual place of residence
  2. MPF contributions
  3. Children in school
  4. Employment records
  5. Carrying on a business
  6. Etc

5. Settled Purpose and Visa Types

Your settled purpose in Hong Kong is determined by the type of visa you hold. Different visa types have varying implications for your eligibility for HKPR. For example, employment visas, investment visas, and dependent visas will all contribute to your settled purpose and eligibility for HKPR assuming that continous ordinary residence for the full 7 years can be made out.

6. Challenges and Resources for Navigating the Hong Kong Permanent Residency Application Process

Applying for HKPR can be challenging, but there are numerous resources available to help you navigate the process:

7. End Note

Understanding the requirements and challenges associated with obtaining Hong Kong Permanent Residency (aka right of abode) after 7 years of continuous living is essential for a successful application. By leveraging the resources provided and seeking professional advice when needed, you can increase your chances of achieving your goal of becoming a permanent resident in Hong Kong.

More Stuff You May Find Interesting or Useful

Strategy On How To Craft An Argument To Appeal A Refused Hong Kong Right Of Abode Application

Will The 2 Years I Spent Studying In China Break My Continuous Residence For Hong Kong Right Of Abode?

Hong Kong Right Of Abode – When Does The Clock Start Ticking?

I Have Lived In Hong Kong For 5 Years – Can I Extend My Work Visa For 2 Years, Quit My job, Study Full Time Then Apply For The Right Of Abode?

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The Hong Kong Visa Geeza (a.k.a Stephen Barnes) is a co-founder of the Hong Kong Visa Centre and author of the Hong Kong Visa Handbook. A law graduate of the London School of Economics, Stephen has been practicing Hong Kong immigration since 1993 and is widely acknowledged as the leading authority on business immigration matters here for the last 24 years.

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RESPONSES
  • CO

    27 Sep 2026 pm30 11:36pm
    01

    Need advice please. My son was born in HK.. and only left to attend uni in the UK. Sadly with Covid, he was prevented from returning around his 18 th birthday to get his PR. When he eventually managed to get all his vaccines- he spent 9 months looking after me as I got very sick.
    Time has gone on and he still has not obtained his PR.
    Is it still possible to try obtain this or is it too late? What magical above can you give to help us? ☺️

    • The Visa Geeza

      6 Oct 2026 pm31 4:29pm
      02

      What’s his immigration status now?

  • AR

    8 Apr 2026 am30 12:54am
    03

    Hi Visa Geeza, I am going to apply for HK PR in Aug 2026, in which by the time of application, would have already filed for Tax Assessment of Apr 25 – Mar 26. However, if the final tax assessment is confirmed by IRD only in Sep 2026, do I need to wait until Sep 2026 to settle the tax amount before applying for PR later on? OR am I still able to apply for PR by Aug 2026, even before getting confirmation from IRD on the final tax amount payment in Sep 2026?

    Would appreciate to get this confirmation from your end.

    • The Visa Geeza

      6 Oct 2026 pm31 4:39pm
      04

      Nothing turns on this. The rule is that any tax bill issued to you and id due for payment must have been settled at the time ImmD approve your PR application

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