Hong Kong Permanent Residency (PR) Visa Overview 
Hong Kong PR status grants you the right to live, work, and study in Hong Kong without restrictions, as well as access to benefits such as healthcare and education. However, to obtain PR in Hong Kong, you must fulfill specific residency requirements.

Eligibility for Hong Kong Permanent Residency 

1. General Criteria for PR:
o You must have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of seven years.
o During the seven years, you must have lived in Hong Kong for the majority of the time (i.e., not be absent from Hong Kong for extended periods).
o The residency period is not interrupted by temporary departures, such as vacations or business trips, but must be continuous.

2. Exemptions:
o If you hold a Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID) for a continuous period of seven years, you may be eligible to apply for PR.
o Certain individuals, like children born in Hong Kong to non-permanent residents or foreign workers, may apply for PR if they meet specific criteria after residing in Hong Kong for a set period.

Pathways to Hong Kong PR 
There are several categories under which you can apply for a Hong Kong Permanent Residency visa:

1. Employment as a Skilled Worker (Employment Visa)
• Eligibility:
If you have been employed in Hong Kong under an Employment Visa for seven years, you may be eligible to apply for PR. The visa is usually granted to foreign workers with a valid employment contract in Hong Kong.
• Conditions:
o You must have continuous employment for a minimum of 7 years.
o You must have demonstrated that your skills are in demand in Hong Kong’s labor market.

2. Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)
• Eligibility:
This is a points-based scheme for highly skilled or talented individuals who wish to settle in Hong Kong without having a job offer. It aims to attract professionals with specific skills that are in demand in the region.
• Requirements:
o Applicants must meet a minimum points score based on their age, qualifications, work experience, language proficiency, and other factors.
o If you are successful under this scheme and live in Hong Kong for a continuous period of seven years, you can apply for permanent residency.

3. Investment as an Investor
• Eligibility:
If you are an entrepreneur or investor, you may be eligible for an investment visa to start or run a business in Hong Kong. After maintaining a business and staying in Hong Kong for seven years, you can apply for PR.
• Requirements:
o You need to prove that your investment will contribute to Hong Kong’s economic development, typically through a viable business plan or investment in a new or existing business.

4. Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)
• Eligibility:
This scheme allowed individuals who invested at least HKD 10 million in permitted financial assets to live in Hong Kong. However, the CIES has been suspended since 2015, meaning it is no longer available for new applicants.

5. Dependant Visa
• Eligibility:
If you are the spouse or unmarried dependent child of a person holding a valid work or study visa in Hong Kong, you can apply for a dependent visa. After living in Hong Kong for seven continuous years, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency.
• Conditions:
o Your sponsor must meet the financial requirements for you to be supported in Hong Kong.

6. Student Visa
• Eligibility:
If you have been studying in Hong Kong on a student visa and have completed a recognized degree or higher qualification from a Hong Kong university, you may be eligible to apply for PR after living and working in Hong Kong for a continuous period of seven years.

Required Documentation for PR Application 
To apply for Hong Kong Permanent Residency, you need to provide the following documents:

1. Valid Passport and Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID).
2. Proof of continuous residence in Hong Kong for seven years, including:

3. Supporting documents for your visa status and work history in Hong Kong.
4. Completed Application Form for PR (available on the Hong Kong Immigration Department website).
5. Proof of good character, such as a police certificate (if applicable).
6. Health and medical documents, if necessary.

Benefits of Hong Kong PR 

• Right to Live and Work: You can live, work, and study anywhere in Hong Kong without restrictions.
• Access to Healthcare: PR holders have access to public healthcare services in Hong Kong.
• Public Housing: PR holders may be eligible to apply for public housing under certain conditions.
• No Restrictions on Employment: You can work in any occupation without requiring a work visa or sponsorship.
• Social Security: You may be eligible for social welfare benefits after meeting certain conditions.
• Pathway to Chinese Citizenship: After being a permanent resident for a prolonged period (usually 7 years), you may apply for Chinese nationality if you meet the criteria.

Application Processing Time 

• The processing time for a Hong Kong PR application can vary depending on the complexity of your case, but it typically takes between 6 to 12 months.
• You must submit all the necessary documents to avoid delays, and it is crucial to meet all the residency requirements.

Key Considerations 

• Absence from Hong Kong: Your time spent outside Hong Kong can affect your eligibility for PR. For instance, if you leave Hong Kong for more than six months in any given year, it may disrupt your seven years of continuous residency.
Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) : is points-based, so individuals without an employer-sponsored job must ensure they meet the point threshold to be considered eligible for permanent residency.