HK citizenship for those not born in HK [Archive]

RFlush

01-18-2007, 10:48 PM

I was wondering if anyone knows anymore information about this. Basically, my father was born in HK and is a HK/Canadian citizen. I was born in Canada making me only a Canadian citizen. Is there a way I can apply for a HK citizenship and get guaranteed status because my father was born in HK.

I tried to google it but couldn't find much information. Maybe some of you other CBCs might know and might even have a link. If it matters, I am over the age of 21.

Doubledown

01-18-2007, 11:45 PM

I did a quick search and you may be able to apply, but it appears that you actually must be in HK to do so.

http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkid_oversea.htm
http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/faq_roaihksar.htm
http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/rop145.htm

Eclypz

01-19-2007, 02:52 AM

I applied with my dad when I was in HK a long time ago, and I'm told its not easy to get one.
I was in the same scenario.
- Dad born in HK and is both HK & Canadian citizen
- You have to have a chinese name (or be prepared to make one up on the spot)
- I'm born in Canada

It's complicated and a long process (application is fast, but it took a long time to get my card).

You'll have to excuse me if I provide wrong information because this was done about 6 years ago, and this whole citizenship thing was very confusing to me back then.

In the end, I got a HK Identity card, and I don't even know what it entitles me to. I know i'm not a "full HK Citizen". It's got limitations, which I don't know what they are. Apparently in HK, they have different ranks of "citizens" (or "stars").

All I know is that I'm eligible to work and go to school in HK, but like I said, I don't know the limitations and I haven't gone back to HK since. I'm told it does make things alot easier when travelling to and from HK.

PS: If you have a criminal record, don't even bother.

But to answer your question, yes you qualify for a HK ID card. (unless rules changed since 2001).

The best thing for you to do is if you have any relatives in HK, tell them to swing by the Immigration office to inquire for you because there are lots of limitations and requirements (i.e. your dad has to be a certain "star rating" and your dad has have visited HK "x" times in "x" years.)

asian_XL

01-19-2007, 05:27 AM

back in 1997, all cbc must register in order to get their hkid. It is
getting more complicated now since they have switched to smart
id. My friend is going back in april, he needs his parents to go
back with him. It is better if you ask the ambassy for more info.

as I heard from my parents, you may only get 2/3 stars on your ID.
1 = immigrants ?
2 = citizen w/o voting right
3 = 100% honger

Gumby

01-19-2007, 09:35 AM

Wow, a lot of useful info in this thread - a rarity on RS! :p

I'm in the same boat - dad was born in HK and I was born here. I got a HK ID card a few years ago (with parents). Then in October of 2006 I went to HK again with my parents to apply for the "smart card". The smart card wasn't ready until a few weeks later so my dad went to HK again in Nov. to pick it up for me.

You'll definitely need to go with your parents, or at least your dad. Yeah best bet is to call up the embassy. You're definitely entitled to one though.

miss_crayon

01-19-2007, 10:01 AM

WHOA! my parents are making my brother and i get a HK citizenship too! anyways the process is SUPER LONG! you have to fill out these applications and prove to them you are a CDN citizen and are related to the parents you claim are your parents. etc etc!

the waiting period to get approved can be as long as 6 months- 1 year apparently! you have to do an interview with them too so if you live here permanently...you'll have to travel back to HK. but i've heard you can get someone to do the interview for you.....

check out the hk govt website!

asian_XL

01-19-2007, 10:24 AM

the interview is nothing...the custom just ask you some random
and stupid questions. Sorry to disappoint you guys, but there's
no cavity search there...lol

http://www.smartid.gov.hk/en/index.html
http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkid.htm#application

EDIT: arrh...here's the link
http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkid_oversea.htm

nvm, i didn't the links above

RFlush

01-19-2007, 10:42 AM

Ok with that last link, I can download those forms and do it from Canada? Or I still must go to HK with my father? Because I am planning on going to HK this summer but it would not be with my Dad. I do have some relatives there, but I do not think I would ever go to HK with my father.

chixdiggit

01-19-2007, 10:51 AM

I had it done a couple of years ago. I'm not sure how long it normally takes but my application was expedited so it only took 2 weeks to process.

You wil need to apply in person, and trust me, if you think the Canadian Passport office waitting line is long you haven't seen anything yet.

You will need your birth certificate, current photo ID (Passport will be good enough). Your parent's HKID, their citizenship papers for Canada and they need to be there to verify.

You will not be granted "Guarnateed" status (3stars), you can only apply for the "Resident" status untill you fulfill your 7 years of living there. If you had wanted the guaranteed status you should have applied back in 97. The only difference between the two status is "Residence" status is the equivelent of the Canadian "Landed Immigrant" status. You can not apply for any government position or work for any government agency directly. You also line up in a seperate line up when entering and departing HK. Basically you just have the right to work and live in HK.

asian_XL

01-19-2007, 11:05 AM

Originally posted by chixdiggit

You wil need to apply in person, and trust me, if you think the Canadian Passport office waitting line is long you haven't seen anything yet.

I hate to pick up "the lineup ticket" early in the morning...

waiting line in hk is still better than the one in canada, those
hongers work much more efficient than those ugly fat white chicks

Gumby

01-19-2007, 01:42 PM

Originally posted by asian_XL
waiting line in hk is still better than the one in canada, those
hongers work much more efficient than those ugly fat white chicks
Oh yeah. If you go early in the morning, like 9-10am, it's not too bad. Even if there are a lot of people, they have a LOT of workers and they're friggin' efficient.

Unlike Safeway, where you'll have 2 long lineups to pay and they don't bother opening additional checkstands.:rolleyes:

bcrdukes

01-20-2007, 04:13 PM

terkan

01-20-2007, 06:00 PM

I think both your parents have to be from Hk for you to get full citizenship. So if you're a halfer I don't think you get it because you aren't defined as a true "chinese national"

Article 5 Any person born abroad whose parents are both Chinese nationals or one of whose parents is a Chinese national shall have Chinese nationality. But a person whose parents are both Chinese nationals and have both settled abroad, or one of whose parents is a Chinese national and has settled abroad, and who has acquired foreign nationality at birth shall not have Chinese nationality.

So basically you're screwed.

you also have to renounce your canadian citizenship

Article 3 The People's Republic of China does not recognize dual nationality for any Chinese national.

NUM

01-21-2007, 05:24 AM

Originally posted by terkan
I think both your parents have to be from Hk for you to get full citizenship. So if you're a halfer I don't think you get it because you aren't defined as a true "chinese national"

Article 5 Any person born abroad whose parents are both Chinese nationals or one of whose parents is a Chinese national shall have Chinese nationality. But a person whose parents are both Chinese nationals and have both settled abroad, or one of whose parents is a Chinese national and has settled abroad, and who has acquired foreign nationality at birth shall not have Chinese nationality.

So basically you're screwed.

you also have to renounce your canadian citizenship

Article 3 The People's Republic of China does not recognize dual nationality for any Chinese national.

wrong info, if one of your parents is a permanent citizen of SAR, you can get an HKID, and contrary to popular belief, the stars on your HKID does not = citizenship status, but it defines which ethnic group you are in. (3 stars= chinese enthincity, that is why so many uninformed Hongers believe they are special)
There are only 2 classes of IDs, not defined by stars, but the wording on the ID itself: Permanent residence, or resident (in which case, you have to live in SAR for 7 years to gain permanent status)
You do not have to give up your Canadian citizenship.
I know this for a fact because i just got my id. Only my father is a SAR permanent citizen. Its a long process though, easiest way is to do this through a lawyer.

LC21

01-21-2007, 09:36 PM

I applied for mine last year.... and it takes a hell lot of documentation.. my mom's hk citizenship proof.. my dad's.... and it takes a whilet o get back to us.. but we had a friend who was a lawyer who helped us.. we're going back in march to fix this stuff up(we started last march) we're approved ^_^

Kamui712

01-21-2007, 10:01 PM

oh god... so basically if your just someone born in Canada.. with no HK ties.. it would be a bitch to get citizenship.. wonderfull...

yayabonks

01-22-2007, 02:03 PM

honestly, getting citizenship there unless you plan to move there is utterly useless. your canadian citizenship is worth way more. the only thing it will probably get you is to enter hk easier than the rest.

i have a taiwanese citizenship even though i was born here. honestly, it's useless. I still have to fill out visa forms when i go there anyway.

RFlush

01-22-2007, 02:34 PM

Originally posted by yayabonks
honestly, getting citizenship there unless you plan to move there is utterly useless. your canadian citizenship is worth way more. the only thing it will probably get you is to enter hk easier than the rest.

i have a taiwanese citizenship even though i was born here. honestly, it's useless. I still have to fill out visa forms when i go there anyway.

I understand my Canadian citizenship is worth more, but I can get dual citizenship. I am actually planning on doing some work in HK.

Kamui712

01-22-2007, 04:53 PM

well the thing is.. what if I go there to work.. but in a few years I want to come back to Canada.. then i'd have to reapply for Canadian citizenship because i had to denounce it when i apply for HK citizenship...

dammit CHINA!! dont' follow the american ways!

terkan

01-22-2007, 05:59 PM

Thats why its better to be born in HK, and then get a Canadian citizenship. Had no probs for me cause I had all my birth certificates and Canada doesn't care about dual citizenship

asian_XL

01-23-2007, 02:57 AM

cbc with HKID = no need to retake driving test, it's easier to enter China.

stars on HKID:

0 star: working visa, maids
1 star: immigrants
3 stars: HK citizen after 7 years

NOTE: you CANNOT apply HK SAR passport if you do not have 3 stars.
cbc belong to 1 star...but who cares, you dun need another passport anyway
although there are quite a few countries accept HK sar and not Cdn w/o Visa

RFlush

02-09-2007, 10:01 AM

Sorry to bring up an old thread but how do you prove your parents are your parents? I only have my passport and birth certificate . I can photocopy my dads HKID and his birth certificate. What else can prove my Dad is my Dad.

mugen282

02-11-2007, 12:51 PM

holy, this thread is long. i don't know if what i'm saying is right or wrong but i did apply for HKID when i was there this past christmas. I have a lot of friends who are hongers and we were talking about this a couple days ago too.

personally myself, my dad is was born in HK and has HKID and my mom was born in China (she applied the same time as me). it works under a three star system. IF you do get it, you'll only get one star. In order for a foreigner to get three stars, they either have to have a HK spouse or live in HK for at least seven years. other people who have three stars are people who have been born there too but it doesn't apply to you.

anyways, i actually have to fill out more information that was not included in the original package when i was there so a friend is sending it through courier. also, if you do get it, you have to take a picture and wait an additional 10 days to get the card. it is kind of a must to know people who are willing to take information for you over there, if you're not there for a long time. in order to send you stuff if you need to fill out more info and to find out whether your application was accepted or not. it takes a while to find out if you get it or not. hopefully i do too.

g'luck!

SSR

02-11-2007, 09:59 PM

You probably got the answer you needed, but I will tell you my experiences. I just got my adult HKID this summer without having the children HKID before and I'm Canadian born.

You are qualified as long as you were born in Canada at the time when your parents have not gotten their Canadian citizenship yet and were still "landed" immigrants.

From there its a long process you need several documents to prove this.

- Both of your parents or one of your parents Hong Kong birth certificate.
- Your parent's marriage certificate in Hong Kong
- Your parents HK passport with the "landed" stamp when they came to Canada and applied for Canadian citizenship
- Their citizenship card when they became Canadian to prove that you were born before they became citizens
- Lastly your own Canadian birth certificate

With all these documents you first goto the immigration office in Wan Chai to apply and they will open a file for you. You then have to mail in photocopies of those documents for them to look at. After it has all been mailed you will be mailed back acknowledgement that they received it and there will be a contact number of the officer looking at your case.
You can speed up the process by just dropping off your photocopies to the 25Floor of the same building. I don't remember, but the address that you are suppose to mail to should indicate which floor. Because you will have to go there to show the officer the real documents.
Once all the photocopied documents are looked at, they will call you back to Wan Chai for an official meeting to show them the real documents. When everything checks out they will probably ask for your Canadian passport, or whatever document you used to get into HK, so they can cancel your 90 day visit visa condition. Because you are a HK citizen. After that you get a letter from the officer that you are a HK citizen etc and you go downstairs to line up to get your HKID photo taken and to record your finger prints for the SmartID. After that you will be issued a temporary "walking papers" until your new ID is ready to be picked up.
If you are unable to pick up your ID, say you already left back to Canada, you can have someone else pick it up for you by filling in a form that they can provide.

Well thats all I can remember, any other questions just PM me!

SSR

02-11-2007, 10:05 PM

Oh and I forgot to mention that those people at immigration at the beginning, on the HKID floor, before you even goto the 25th floor, are all jackasses.

You have to argue with them and show them supporting documents of your justification to get the HKID before they EVEN give you the form and enevolope for you to fill, and put in the photocopied documents to send to the 25th floor.

Also when you get the contact number for the immigration officer looking over your case, call him immediately and tell him your situation that you are leaving soon or something. It will speed up the process.

Got my entire process done without picking up my ID, cause I had to leave HK, in 3 weeks. Could've been quicker if I dropped of the photocopies and form on the 25th floor instead of mailing it.

LaiD

02-11-2007, 10:48 PM

Originally posted by RFlush
Sorry to bring up an old thread but how do you prove your parents are your parents? I only have my passport and birth certificate . I can photocopy my dads HKID and his birth certificate. What else can prove my Dad is my Dad.

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. (https://www.vitalchek.com/agency_locator.asp?providerid=90157)

Ikkaku

02-14-2007, 10:21 PM

Originally posted by SSR
Oh and I forgot to mention that those people at immigration at the beginning, on the HKID floor, before you even goto the 25th floor, are all jackasses.

You have to argue with them and show them supporting documents of your justification to get the HKID before they EVEN give you the form and enevolope for you to fill, and put in the photocopied documents to send to the 25th floor.

Also when you get the contact number for the immigration officer looking over your case, call him immediately and tell him your situation that you are leaving soon or something. It will speed up the process.

Got my entire process done without picking up my ID, cause I had to leave HK, in 3 weeks. Could've been quicker if I dropped of the photocopies and form on the 25th floor instead of mailing it.

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.

nipples

01-14-2009, 06:21 PM

SkinnyPupp

01-14-2009, 08:16 PM

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.

ride98

01-15-2009, 01:12 AM

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

nipples

01-15-2009, 03:07 AM

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.

SkinnyPupp

01-15-2009, 06:19 AM

Ikkaku

01-15-2009, 07:19 AM

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.

talula

01-15-2009, 06:33 PM

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?

Girl

01-16-2009, 12:17 PM

Hey this is a little bit off topic but I was born in Macau when the Portuguese was still the active gov't at the time. I left Macau 7 months after I was born during the time when Canada was open to immigrants. I don't have any proof of citizenship of Macau due to the fact that the administration of citizenship was disasterous.

My question is, is there any benefit in applying for a residency for Macau or is it not worth it at all? If it's worth getting, how would I go about doing it? I've tried searching online but there just isn't enough information. Any leads would be appreciated. Thanks!

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.

milkmilk101

01-21-2009, 09:35 PM

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?

Girl

01-21-2009, 09:43 PM

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

sh0n

01-21-2009, 10:28 PM

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?

Girl

01-22-2009, 12:05 AM

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.

RFlush

02-11-2009, 03:09 PM

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_releases/nov_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.

nipples

09-08-2009, 08:20 AM

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

RFlush

09-08-2009, 09:15 AM

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.

RFlush

09-08-2009, 09:25 AM

Gumby

09-08-2009, 10:26 AM

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.

nipples

09-08-2009, 05:37 PM

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?

RFlush

09-08-2009, 07:24 PM

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.

** 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.

RFlush

09-08-2009, 07:26 PM

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?

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

nipples

09-14-2009, 05:00 AM

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

RFlush

09-14-2009, 05:29 AM

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.

09-14-2009, 08:10 AM

Gumby

09-14-2009, 11:06 AM

Stars have nothing to do with your immigration status, it means if you are from Chinese descent.
Hmm, that's weird - there are a few posts in this thread that don't give me the option to "Thanks" and this was one of them...

But thanks for the info!

NA6

09-14-2009, 11:16 AM

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?

I am in a similar situation as you are however I am already at the interview stage (which means I qualify for HKID). I am going back in December for final interview n that should determine if I get it or not. If you are born in Canada BEFORE 1997 then you qualify for HKID because HK was part of the British colony.

hope that helps....