25 September 2026
Obtain a Residence Permit in Hong Kong
Interested in applying for a permanent residence permit in Hong Kong? Contact our Hong Kong law firm for assistance!
Obtaining a residence permit in Hong Kong is one of the main requirements when moving here as a foreign national. Discover below your relocation options and rely on our lawyers for support with the residency application.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Temporary residence permit types | Employment |
Time needed to obtain the temporary residence permit (approx.) | 4 weeks |
Temporary residence permit validity | 2 years in most cases |
| Documents for obtaining temporary residence | Filled-in application form Valid travel document Supporting documents according to the purpose of the stay |
| Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/municipality register) | Yes. Pre-arrival registrations are also needed for some foreign nationals |
| Dependents can join the temporary permit holder (Yes/No) | Yes. Subject to conditions |
| Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes | Yes |
| Type of investments available for residency purposes | Business start-up (Investment as Entrepreneurs); New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (since 1 March 2024) |
| Minimum investment amount | No fixed minimum for entrepreneurs; HK$30 million under the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme |
| Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence | 7 years |
| Residency for individuals married to a citizen of the country | A dependant visa is available to the spouse; permanent residence requires the spouse's own 7 years of continuous ordinary residence |
| Documents for obtaining permanent residence | Application form Proof of lawful permanent residence for the minimum prescribed time Other supporting documents, if required by the authorities |
| Naturalization requirements | Specific documents Fee payment Other requirements may apply *Foreign nationals are naturalized as Chinese nationals under the Law of the People’s Republic of China |
| Citizenship after permanent residence | Not automatic: naturalisation as a Chinese national is discretionary under the PRC Nationality Law and requires giving up foreign nationality |
| Dual citizenship permitted (Yes/No) | No |
What types of residence permit can I apply for in Hong Kong?
You can apply for an entry permit, which is issued based on specific grounds.
What are the options to apply for a residence permit in Hong Kong?
You can choose to apply for:
- an employment-related entry permit, which is accompanied by a work visa;
- an investment-related permit, which enables you to start a business or enter as a shareholder in an existing company in Hong Kong;
- a dependent visa, which is issued if you have a family member who lives here legally;
- a student visa, if you have been accepted by a local educational institution.
Our immigration lawyers can also help you if you need to relocate and obtain a residency permit in other countries, such as Korea. The temporary residence permit can be obtained sooner there, in approx. 20 days, while in Hong Kong it may take 4 weeks.
What documents are required when applying for a residence permit for temporary stay in Hong Kong?
You must prepare:
- your valid passport;
- the specific application form based on the reason for relocation to Hong Kong;
- recent photographs;
- supporting documents related to the reason for immigration.
NOTE: Our Hong Kong lawyers can advise on the paperwork to draft based on the reason for relocation for a correct application procedure.
If you wish to know more about residency in Hong Kong, you can watch the following video:
What is the validity of a residence permit issued for temporary stay in Hong Kong?
The validity of the permit you will receive is tied to the reason for moving to Hong Kong, as follows:
- student visas can have a validity of 2 years;
- work permits have a validity of 2 or 3 years, depending on the scheme under which you relocate here;
- investment permits also have a validity of 2 years;
- dependent visas have the same validity as the residence permit of the sponsor (family member).
How can I apply for permanent residency in Hong Kong under the General Employment Policy?
A foreign national can apply for an entry permit under the employment policy and, in time, become a HK permanent resident when:
- employment agreement: he or she has a confirmed employment in Hong Kong, in a position relevant to his work experience or qualifications (and the job position could not be taken up by the local workforce);
- clear record: there is no security objection to hiring the applicant; he or she has no record of a serious crime;
- good credentials: the individual has a good educational background and the relevant technical qualifications;
- adequate benefits: the job position includes a remuneration package that is in line with the applicable rules for the profession in the Special Administrative Region.
Who is eligible for permanent residency in Hong Kong?
According to the law, there are several categories of individuals who are allowed to become permanent residents in Hong Kong:
- Chinese nationals born in Hong Kong or those who have been living legally in the city for 7 years;
- Chinese nationals born outside of Hong Kong but one of their parents was a Chinese-national Hong Kong permanent resident at the time of the birth;
- foreigners who have lived in Hong Kong for 7 years and for whom the city is the permanent place of residence can apply for the status of HK permanent resident;
- persons under 21 born in Hong Kong to a non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent resident parent (however, after the age of 21 they must apply for a permit themselves);
- persons who, before 1 July 1997, had the right of abode only in Hong Kong.
Where do I submit my application for permanent residence in Hong Kong?
The Immigration Department is the authority in charge of all the applications for permanent residence. If you wish to apply for such a permit, our lawyers in Hong Kong can help you submit the required documents.
Do you offer residency support in other countries?
Our lawyers can also put you in contact with their partners from Europe, in case you are interested in obtaining residency in a European country, for example in Denmark. The time needed for obtaining the temporary residence permit in Denmark is 1-2 months in most cases, and our partners from Immigration-Denmark.com can assist you in this procedure.
If you need more guidance on how to obtain residency in Taiwan, we recommend our partners: CompanyFormationTaiwan.com.
You can contact our immigration lawyers in Hong Kong if you have questions about permanent residency in Hong Kong in 2026.