Tools

Seven-year residency check

Based on the statutory requirement of seven years of continuous ordinary residence under section 2A of the Immigration Ordinance and the related Court of Final Appeal case law, this helps you assess whether you meet the conditions to apply for a Hong Kong permanent identity card.

Twelve common borderline situations

Tick the situations that apply to you

1. Going back to the mainland part-way through a student visa does not affect the count, but you must keep your ties to Hong Kong (a tenancy, bank accounts and so on) 2. A gap between visa categories generally does not break the count, as long as the gap does not show an intention not to return to Hong Kong 3. If the main applicant leaves Hong Kong but the dependant stays, the dependant's own seven-year count is usually not affected 4. A short work posting abroad does not break the count. A long one (over six months) needs a case-by-case assessment 5. Maternity leave spent on the mainland counts as a normal short absence and does not affect the count 6. A long absence for a relative's funeral (over three months) needs proof and an explanation that you still keep your ties to Hong Kong 7. If you could not return during the pandemic border closure, the Immigration Department has special considerations 8. If you live in the Greater Bay Area while studying a part-time programme in Hong Kong, you need to show a stable residence in Hong Kong 9. Civil servants and teachers posted overseas: under one year generally has no effect, over one year needs proof of the work posting 10. Income from shares or company equity does not show a local economic contribution, so other proof is still needed 11. Owning property in Hong Kong but rarely living there: the property alone is not proof of ordinary residence 12. Switching visa category several times over the seven years does not break the count. The key is to keep continuity

The result is for reference only; the Immigration Department's published rules prevail.

Seven-year residency pathway guide → Immigration Department website ↗

Disclaimer

This tool is for reference only and is not legal advice. For an actual application, consult a licensed Hong Kong immigration practitioner or lawyer. The Hong Kong Immigration Department makes the final decision.

Seven-year residency check

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