Hong Kong

Entry for study. A US citizen admitted to an eligible Hong Kong course can apply for a student entry permit with a local sponsor.

Free, with the law behind every answer

Entry for study

Stay for the approved course; any student employment depends on separate Hong Kong study-work conditions.

Who qualifies

Qualifying study includes a full-time locally accredited post-secondary program or eligible taught postgraduate, exchange or registered non-local course.
Hong Kong Immigration Department: Students
Nominate a local sponsor, which may be the admitting institution, and document admission and financial support in the study application.
Hong Kong Immigration Department: Students

You keep your U.S. citizenship.

It could fit.

Entry for study needs admission to a qualifying course; the course and your passport then decide it.

What would settle itYour admission and the course’s eligibility under the destination’s rules.

Every option that fits your family

Not legal advice.

What it takes.

Time: The issuing authority decides the application after the complete sponsored file and prerequisite approvals are lodged.
Cost: Government charges are assessed under the issuing authority’s schedule; sponsor, translation and document costs are separate.
The hard part: Eligible course admission, local sponsorship and living-cost evidence.

Citizens by 2035.

If your first permit is issued in 2027 and you keep living there, this is the road.

2027
First residence permit
1 year, renewable for 1 year at a time.
2028
Renew the permit
Filed before the old one lapses; renews for 1 year.
2029
Renew the permit
Filed before the old one lapses; renews for 1 year.
2030
Renew the permit
Filed before the old one lapses; renews for 1 year.
2031
Renew the permit
Filed before the old one lapses; renews for 1 year.
2032
Renew the permit
Filed before the old one lapses; renews for 1 year.
2033
Renew the permit
Filed before the old one lapses; renews for 1 year.
2034
Permanent residence
Seven continuous years of ordinary residence immediately before applying, plus a declaration that Hong Kong is the applicant’s place of permanent residence, establishes right of abode for a non-Chinese national.
2034
Apply for citizenship
With a language test and a civics test.
2035
Citizenship

Language: Sufficient Chinese is one of the factors Immigration weighs.
Civics: Willingness to abide by China’s Constitution and laws.
Time away: At seven years a qualifying resident can establish right of abode. Chinese naturalisation is a separate discretionary application with no fixed residence clock; Immigration weighs habitual residence, family, income, tax, character and an intention to continue living in Hong Kong.
Two passports: Usually not: new citizens are asked to give up their other citizenship.

Education is a settled purpose that can amount to ordinary residence, but Immigration assesses the full circumstances at the seven-year right-of-abode application.
How long the decision takes isn’t published; we allow a year.
This country asks new citizens to give up their other citizenship.

The law behind these dates

Living there.

Time you must spend there: The program sets no minimum number of days. Renewal still expects it to be your home.
Tax: Where you become tax resident follows the days you spend there and where your home is. We map it for your family before you move.

We never file a tax return. We tell you what applies and brief the professional who does.

Start today.

Get the Hong Kong institution’s offer and sponsorship for the ID 995A study entry filing.Open immd.gov.hk ↗
Gather these documents.
- The degree or admission letter, and proof of funds
- Request your FBI Identity History Summary
- Health cover for the move

Postern can’t run this for you yet.

The official application forms, submission and recovery specification are not complete. Postern cannot run this application yet.

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