If you have a birth certificate that does not state the names of your parents, you can order a Large Certificate that does state their names from here.

I went to a different building to apply for the id and had a totally different experience (I'm pretty sure I didn't have to go to 25th floor to drop off the forms). People there were "somewhat" helpful, and they gave you the forms you need no questions asked, aside from which forms you require. The only problems were those people that worked at the booths were so picky about everything. It's understandable though, with unbelievable amounts of people lined up at the office each day, you can't help but be picky and bitter at the crowd.

The problem with me is I was born here in Canada, and I only had the travelling visa, so I had to fill in a bunch of forms, photocopy a bunch of my documents (passport info, birth certificate WITH the name of both my parents, parents marriage certificate, passport stamps and a bunch of other documents). They looked at the package I gave them, and said I was missing some documents (by then I was already back in Vancouver) and I faxed it over to them, now I'm sitting here waiting.

yes i know this is an old thread, but i'm heading there in about 2 months to get mine done.

Am I reading SSR's post correctly in that my parents must not have gotten their citizenship in canada at the time of my birth for me to qualify??

Basically, my dad was born in china, been in canada for about 50years. Mom was born in hk been in canada for 30. I was told that it's possible still because my cousins are in the same boat as me and it worked.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Yes, you can get it. My wife was in the exact situation (both her parents are from HK, she was born in Canada). She got her permanent residency just by applying at immigration. You'll need things like your parents' birth certificates, marriage licenses, etc.

If mom and dad are holding HK ID, there should be no problem for you to obtain one as well.

but they havent been back in ages!!! like i dont even know what kind of id they have. i know they have their hk birth certificate n stuff in the safety deposit box, but i'm not sure what else they'd have.

That should be enough

What I've noted over the years is that there are basically two types of citizenship, right to land and right to abode.

Right to abode (most people know this as 3 star status) is a permanent citizen without restrictions. Usually this means the person has lived in Hong Kong for 7 years. I've noticed that my relatives that were born in Canada who received their 'right to abode' through their parents must go to Hong Kong at least once every three years. I am pretty sure they also wrote down Chinese/China for the nationality instead of Canadian.

What I received is 'right to land' and what that does is it gives you the ability to stay as long as you want, to work, to go to school, however you do not get the benefits of being a full 3 star HK citizen. During the application process, I wrote Canadian in the nationality slot, and apparently because of this and the fact that I was over 18 when I applied, they did not allow me to register as a 3-star. However, you can still apply for the smartid with the 'right to land'. After getting this status, you must stay in Hong Kong for 7 years before you can apply for the 'right to abode'.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that this is with both parents having been born in Hong Kong. I'm guessing for my situation, being over the age of 18 was a huge reason why I could not get full 3 star citizenship.

i have a question...so ive been through the whole process of applying for hk citizenship and ive been accepted...so theyre asking me to go back to hk for an interview....do my parents need to be there to verify? or can i just go back alone for the interview?

Birth Certificate and proof birth place. I don't know if they changed anything now though. It might be harder for you since you were so young when you moved.


To OP: I didn't get to read the rest of the thread but if both parents are hong kong residents and there is proof that at least one of them is still residing in Hong Kong and you apply for citizenship before the age of 18, then you are entitled FULL citizenship with all benefits. That is with 3 Stars, in which you can work, vote, get a 10 year China visa, etc. The only drawback is that you have to enter Hong Kong at least once in 3 years, or they automatically take away your 3 stars and you will have basic residence.

Hong Kong has a lettering system for identifying what category you fall in. For me it's AWOL (or something) or something which states that I was born outside of Hong Kong, but is a residence of Hong Kong with 3*'s. Other letters will indicate the status of your residency and the reason behind it. It's all very well though out.

RFlush you should be able to obtain a basic HKid as long as both your parents are citizens.


Talula: One of your parents have to be present at the time of the interview, unless they've changed the rule.

even when she's above the age of 21? what if u r like 30 n ur parents are like 70? ur parents stil have to go?

As I've told Talula in private, you are essentially applying for rights to be a citizen through the applicability of your parents. One of them has to be there to sign papers that swear you're telling the truth, etc. from what I remembered at least.

The interview is only approved if they approve of your situation in applying first. I'm pretty sure if you're 30 and your parents are 70, they'll probably deny you unless you have a pretty damn good reason.

If your parents can not physically be there with you, you need someone with POA to go on behalf of one of them.

Btw 21 is not the legal age in HK. It is 18. :P

For this case.

Anyone with a 3 stars HK citizenship card and born overseas able to apply and get accepted for the SAR Passport and "Return to PRC" Visa?

We're the same case.

Yes on the visa, I have mine.
Yes on the Passport too but not 100%, then again I was born in Canada and there would be no need to use a SAR Passport when you can enter into more countries without visas with the Canadian one.

I enter and leave HK with HKid, go to China with my China-HK Visa/IDcard, enter Canada with my Passport, other countries with my CDN Passport

China multi-entry visa for HK 3* residents use to have a 10 year validation period, I think they changed it last year and it's now 3 years? When I got mine 5 years ago, it was $400HKD. Not sure anymore. Once you get your visa which will add to your plastic card collection, you can apply for E-Channel at the MongKok China Travel Agency or at the Lo Wu Border. It only takes a few minutes and with E-Channel, you can cross the China border by scanning your fingerprints (like the HKID), it's free.

Sidenote: HK resident (without 3*'s) can apply for a 6 month multi-entry visa i think.

There is a lot of mixed information, and I am not surprised since every case is different.

For me, I was not able to get my HKID citizenship card. I am able to get a HKID that gives me the Right to Land, not the Right to Abode. So I can live, work, and study in HK with no restrictions, but I cannot work for any government agency, I cannot vote, and I can get deported.

My father is a HK citizen as he was born and raised there. He came to Canada on an overseas British National passport when he came to study in Canada. He was a Canadian national at the time of my birth. They asked for my mother's documents, but she is deceased so I gave them what I could. My mother was not from HK, but that had no effect since they only look at your father side.

Like I said, everyone is a bit different. Here are some resources to help those who are inquiring more information:

http://www.geocities.com/icehairball/
http://www.hketo.ca/sub_pages/press_...ov_23_1998.htm

Also, having 3 stars (***) indicates that the holder of the HK ID card is of the age of 18 years or over and is eligible for a Hong Kong Re-entry Permit. There are many non-chinese citizens who have *** and are essentially stateless.

just submitted mine in a few days ago. now to play the waiting game while i job search

Oh old thread...

I got my HKID RTL a while ago and currently studying in HK right now with it.

Basically, if you are born outside of HK to a parent (most favourable to the father) who was on a BNO passport, then you will get the RTL HKID. Basically, you had the right for ROA but since you did not go back every 3 years, you lost our ROA and default to the RTL because you are NOT considered a chinese citizen as your parents will probably Canadian citizens when you were born.

So if your parents did not come on a BNO passport, you are shit out of luck and wont get a HKID.

Your stars are totally inaccurate.

If you're gonna point out that they're inaccurate, it would be helpful if you could offer a new version that is more accurate.

oh they had to have come over on a BNO?? becuase my mom went and and got her hkid roa on the spot. so i thought that she could then sponsor my RTL. that's not the case?

** the holder is of the age of 18 or over and is eligible for a Hong Kong Re-entry Permit.
* the holder is between the age of 11 and 17 and is eligible for a Hong Kong Re-entry Permit.
A the holder has the right of abode in the HKSAR.
C the holder's stay in the HKSAR is limited by the Director of Immigration at the time of his registration of the card.
R the holder has a right to land in the HKSAR.
U the holder's stay in the HKSAR is not limited by the Director of Immigration at the time of his registration of the card.
Z the holder's place of birth reported is Hong Kong.
X the holder's place of birth reported is the Mainland.
W the holder's place of birth reported is the region of Macau.
O the holder's place of birth reported is in other countries.
B the holder's reported date of birth or place of birth has been changed since his/ her first registration.
N the holder's reported name has been changed since his/ her first registration.

---------

Stars have nothing to do with your immigration status, it means if you are from Chinese descent.

Where were you born? When you were born, what nationality were your parents? Where were your parents born?

ok i just checked with my mom. yes she has a bno passport hahaha

i was born in canda, mom in hk. she has her id already (done on the spot), and mine will take a few months i guess? no idea

If that is the case, then most likely you will be qualified for a HKID RTL. Take note, you will not receive a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card.

Basically, as a child of a BNO passport holder, you WERE given the right of abode but because you have not been back to HK since 1997, for every 3 years, you gave up that right and all those who once had the ROA will be given the RTL (Right to Land).

So you will have a HKID card with no stars (since you are not considered Chinese) but the status of RO. R meaning RTL and O meaning born overseas.

With the RTL you can study, work, and live in HK without restrictions. You cannot work for any government jobs and you can be deported. Just like every other HKID holder (student, dependent, working, PR, etc), you will be given the same public health care discounts.

I also believe after 7 years of living in HK, you can apply for the ROA and become a Permanent Resident, giving you the AO instead of RO, but basically the same. I am not 100% sure about this though.

Your children will not be eligible for HKID cards unless through another scheme.

So.. I was just wondering... If I go to school at HKU and I am born in Canada but my dad was born in Shanghai and my mom was born in HK would I be able to sign up for HK citizenship? I know that when I was younger, I had to go back to HK every 3 years in order to get some retarded stamp thing in my passport.. but later, my parents thought it was stupid to waste 1400$ every 3 years just to get a stamp till I was 18 or something... They also told us that either that was the only way, or that I had to live in HK for 7 years? Anyways, can I just go in and apply for HK citizenship and NOT pay international student fees?