DDHK.ORG - The Hong Kong government reiterates that any non-Chinese permanent resident (HKPR) may lose their status if they have not been present in Hong Kong for 3 consecutive years. The Hong Kong Immigration Department official said Tuesday, March 29, 2022, in response to recent media inquiries about whether the situation regarding the loss of Hong Kong permanent resident status for non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents has been updated.
“Since the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on July 1, 1997, pursuant to paragraph 7 of Schedule 1 of the Immigration Ordinance, a permanent resident of HKSAR (HKPR) who is not a Chinese national will lose his/her HKPR status if he/she is not present in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than 36 months from the time he has ceased to live in Hong Kong," the statement read, as received by DDHK News.
In determining whether a person has ceased to be a regular resident in Hong Kong or is only temporarily absent in Hong Kong, the Immigration Department will consider all circumstances of each case in accordance with section 2(6) of the Immigration Act. Those considered include the reason, duration and frequency of absences from Hong Kong; whether he has the habit of living in Hong Kong; employment by a Hong Kong-based company; and the presence of the main members of the family (spouse and minors).
As for the HKPR with Chinese citizenship, he is still considered a Chinese citizen, unless he has applied for and approved for the waiver of Chinese citizenship/statement of change of citizenship by the Immigration Department. “He will not lose his HKPR status even if he has been absent from Hong Kong for a long time.”
The relevant ordinances have been in effect since July 1, 1997, without any changes. [DDHKNews]
