Author

Soso FUNG

Hello everyone, I am migration consultant Soso FUNG. I graduated from Auckland University of Technology in 2010.After returning to China in 2019, I began working on Hong Kong’s Quality Migrant Admission Scheme and have now assisted more than 100 families to successfully obtain Hong Kong identity through the scheme.Sincerity is my basic work attitude, professionalism is my professional standard, and attentiveness is the reputation I have built in this industry.I will live up to your trust and use my most attentive and professional service to help you and your family successfully obtain Hong Kong identity.

As of 30 June this year, Hong Kong’s various talent admission schemes had received more than 100,000 applications,with more than 60,000 already approved, surpassing the full-year 2022 KPI in just half a year.

The popularity of Hong Kong identity is largely due tothe benefits and advantages it brings, and many middle-class families, when first learning about Hong Kong identity,still have many misconceptions. Today we will answer these concerns one by one.

Misconception 1

Hong Kong identity applications

are only for celebrities and the wealthy?

It is true that many of the early people interested in the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme were mainland celebrities, well-known figures and wealthy individuals. Even the Hong Kong Immigration Department’s promotional video featured famous figures such as Tang Wei and Lang Lang. As information has become more widespread, Hong Kong identity has gradually become known to many more people in recent years. As long as you are 18 or above, hold a degree from a university or higher education institution, have sufficient financial ability without relying on assistance, have no criminal record, and can use Chinese or English, you may lodge a Quality Migrant application through either the General Points Test or Achievement-based Points Test.

Misconception 2

Obtaining Hong Kong identity

means you must cancel your mainland household registration?

Many people believe that once they obtain Hong Kong identity, they must cancel their mainland household registration.

If an applicant obtains Hong Kong identity through a One-way Permit, then mainland household registration does need to be cancelled. But if it is obtainedthrough schemes such as the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, Top Talent Pass Scheme, or admission schemes for professionals, the mainland household registration is not affected.

The key question is whether you need to apply for a Home Return Permit, formally the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents. It is issued by the Exit and Entry Administration of the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China and is used by Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR residents with Chinese nationality to travel to mainland China.

To apply for a Home Return Permit, you must hold proof that your household registration has been cancelled. Otherwise, you can continue holding both Hong Kong identity and mainland household registration.

Because Hong Kong and mainland immigration checkpoints are not interconnected, you can use your mainland Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao when entering or leaving the mainland,and use your Hong Kong identity card when entering or leaving Hong Kong.。So after obtaining Hong Kong permanent residence, you can still retain your mainland household registration.

Specific travel method:

Going to Hong Kong: use the Hong Kong and Macao travel permit to exit the mainland checkpoint, then use Hong Kong identity to enter Hong Kong.

Returning to the mainland: use the Hong Kong identity card to exit the Hong Kong checkpoint, then use the Hong Kong and Macao travel permit to enter the mainland checkpoint.

Misconception 3

If you do not usually live in Hong Kong

can you still obtain Hong Kong permanent residence?

Many mainland families obtain Hong Kong identity but do not want to live in Hong Kong, and worry that being outside Hong Kong will affect their application for Hong Kong permanent residence after seven years. In fact, there is no need to worry too much, because the Hong Kong Immigration Department states that the requirement for becoming a Hong Kong permanent resident is“ordinarily resided in Hong Kong continuously”, not “must live in Hong Kong”.

When assessing the seven-year period ofordinary residence, the Hong Kong Immigration Department mainly considers the following factors:：

1. Explaining why the applicant was not in Hong Kong

2. Whether there is a habitual residence in Hong Kong

3. The location of key family members, including spouse and children

4. Whether the applicant is employed by a Hong Kong-based company

5. Whether there is reasonable income to support the applicant and family

6. Whether taxes have been paid lawfully

So even if you do not live in Hong Kong permanently, when applying to become a Hong Kong permanent resident after seven years,it may be sufficient to prove seven years of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme

Eligibility requirements

Age: 18 or above

Finances: proof of savings required, 200,000+ for an individual and 300,000+ for a family application

Character: no criminal record and no adverse immigration record

Education: bachelor degree or above

You may lodge an application if you score 80 or above under the General Points Test.

Moving to Hong Kong

Advantages

1. Superior geographic location:world-renowned international trade port and entrepot

2. Low-tax policy:simple and transparent system, territorial taxation principles and low tax burden

3. International financial centre:no foreign exchange controls and one of the world’s freest economies

4. High-quality education resources:biliterate and trilingual environment, 15 years of free education, and seven universities in the world top 100

5. Valuable SAR passport:visa-free access to 170 countries, enabling global travel

6. Well-developed legal system:sound legislative, legal protection and enforcement systems

7. Retain mainland identity:you may retain mainland household registration and flexibly enjoy benefits from both identities

Preferential

benefits

In addition tobenefits in Hong Kong, Hong Kong identitycan also bring many policy benefits in mainland China.：

– Individual income tax subsidy: 15% Greater Bay Area individual income tax subsidy

– Home purchase policy: free purchase of one property in the Greater Bay Area

– Social security benefits: may participate in mainland social security and later work, study and live in mainland China

– Overseas Chinese student entrance exam: children may use Hong Kong identity to sit the exam and enter mainland 985/211 universities more easily

– Senior living allowance from age 65: under the Guangdong Scheme and Fujian Scheme run by Hong Kong’s Social Welfare Department, eligible Hong Kong seniors aged 65 or above who choose to live in Guangdong or Fujian may receive the allowance without returning to Hong Kong every year.

Common questions about the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme

If I did not graduate from university and do not have a bachelor degree, can I apply for the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme?

Generally, no.However, if the applicant has relatively significant work achievements or holds a nationally recognised professional qualification, an application may be worth trying. Such qualifications may be treated like a bachelor degree for scoring purposes, such as lawyer, accountant or quantity surveyor, but the final score is still determined by the Immigration Department officer.

Are there financial requirements for Quality Migrant applications?

Yes. At lodgement, you need to provide financial proof showing living expenses for the applicant’s family during the first year in Hong Kong. This proof does not need to show the source of funds.Generally, savings proof of around 200,000 for an individual, or around 500,000-600,000 for a family of four, is sufficient.

After a Hong Kong Quality Migrant application is approved, do you receive a temporary Hong Kong identity card?

Hong Kong does not have the concept of a temporary identity card. Regardless of the scheme, you receive a Hong Kong Resident Identity Card. After seven years, if you can prove Hong Kong is your ordinary place of residence, you may convert to Hong Kong permanent resident status.

What evidence can be provided in a Quality Migrant renewal to satisfy the Hong Kong Immigration Department that you are genuinely ordinarily resident in Hong Kong?

1. Proof of children studying in Hong Kong, such as transcripts and student handbooks

2. Proof of habitual residential address, such as owned property, tenancy agreement or relatives’/friends’ address

3. Proof of purchasing a vehicle in Hong Kong, vehicle registration and Hong Kong driver licence

4. Hong Kong mobile phone service proof

5. Utility bills, such as water, electricity, gas, telephone and internet bills

6. Financial institution documents, such as bank statements

7. Hong Kong credit card and on-time repayment records

8. Proof of insurance purchased in Hong Kong

9. Community service records, such as charities, chambers of commerce or private memberships

10. Proof that a Hong Kong company assigned the employee to work overseas

11. Proof of engaging professionals, such as family doctor, lawyer or accountant

Do you need to find a job before applying for the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme?

No. Before applying, Quality Migrant applicants do not need to first find an employer or sponsor company in Hong Kong.

After a Hong Kong Quality Migrant applicant is invited, what status do the spouse and accompanying children receive?

They receive the same right-of-residence visa status as the applicant, namely Hong Kong resident identity, and can lawfully work or study in Hong Kong.

Is a Hong Kong right-of-residence visa the same as a Hong Kong business visa?

No. A Hong Kong right-of-residence visa is a resident visa with no residence time limit, allowing lawful work, study and business operation in Hong Kong. A business visa is only visitor status, allowing a stay in Hong Kong of no more than seven days, and it does not allow lawful work, study, or business operation in Hong Kong. A business visa does not carry right of residence and cannot be converted to Hong Kong permanent residence in any way. A right-of-residence visa may convert to Hong Kong permanent residence after seven years.

Investment Analyst

Hong Kong Quality Migrant success story

Age: 40

Score: 160

Education: master degree

Industry: Investment Analyst

Lodgement date: February 2022

Approval date: 5 October 2023

FinTech industry

Hong Kong Quality Migrant success story

Age: 29

Score: 135

Education: master degree

Industry: FinTech

Lodgement date: 30 December 2022

Approval date: 22 September 2023

Finance + real estate

Hong Kong Quality Migrant success story

Age: 39

Score: 110

Education: bachelor degree

Industry: Finance + real estate

Lodgement date: 19 December 2022

Approval date: 21 September 2023

Culture and arts-related industry

Hong Kong Quality Migrant success story

Age: 35

Score: 125

Education: bachelor degree

Industry: Culture and arts-related industry

Lodgement date: 16 February 2022

Approval date: 18 September 2023

Top Talent Pass Category A

Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Category A success story

Age: 35

After Mr H signed with us for the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme in April, we analysed his circumstances. His tax paid last year exceeded HKD 2.5 million, so he also met the “high-income Category A” criteria. We therefore prepared Plan B and lodged a Top Talent Pass application at the same time.

Approved smoothly on 11 August

Top Talent Pass Category A

Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Category A success story

Age: 45

The client has annual income of 3 million and previously worked at a technology finance company in mainland China. Because they met the Top Talent Pass Category A criteria

Hong Kong Top Talent Pass Category C success story

Age: 25

Education: bachelor degree from the Australian National University

Approved smoothly on 20 September

If you are interested in applying for Hong Kong but are unsure about your assessment score, scan to contact me.

Previous articles

This round of invitations from Victoria and WA, with no surprises in NSW’s first round…

Last financial year’s migration results are out | Onshore/offshore skilled migration both hit new highs!

Northern Territory opens new 491 applications! Offshore civil, electrical, mining and restaurant manager occupations can apply!

Migration news sharing group

2023

Step 1: Long press to add customer service

Step 2: After adding us, please

Study, migration and visas – we are specialists

Attention！Please verifygenuineNewStars consultant!

Study and migration consultation Customer service by location

Sydney Head Office

Melbourne

Canberra

Brisbane

Adelaide

Hobart

Beijing

Guangzhou

Perth

Next branch

Follow the NewStars WeChat Official Account

Reply in the Official Accountwith the following numbers or any keywords (not in the article comments),to receive timely and professional migration updates!Reply [A] to view the directory, including all knowledge points!

Reply:0000 -> View the 16 November policy update (491 + skilled migration points)

Hong Kong Identity: Common Questions, Misconceptions and a Guide to the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme

This round of invitations from Victoria and WA, with no surprises in NSW’s first round…

Last financial year’s migration results are out | Onshore/offshore skilled migration both hit new highs!

Northern Territory opens new 491 applications! Offshore civil, electrical, mining and restaurant manager occupations can apply!

Quick Links

Popular Services

Our Offices

Follow Us