Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China · family · Leads to settlement
Entry for Residence as Dependants
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Route for spouses, civil partners, dependent children and (for permanent-resident sponsors) elderly parents to reside in Hong Kong.
- Processing time
- The Immigration Department indicates it normally takes about six weeks to process a complete application; confirm current timing on the official page.
- Government fees
- A visa/entry permit fee applies on issuance. Refer to the Immigration Department fee schedule on the official page.
- Typical duration
- Stay normally aligned with the sponsor permitted period of stay; renewable alongside the sponsor.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Overview
The dependant route lets eligible family members of a Hong Kong sponsor reside in the territory. Sponsors admitted for employment, investment, study or under a capital-investment scheme can bring a spouse or civil partner and unmarried dependent children under 18. Permanent residents and people with no limit of stay can additionally sponsor parents aged 60 or above. Approval requires a genuine relationship, a clear record for the applicant, and a sponsor who can support the dependant well above subsistence level. Continuous ordinary residence of not less than seven years can lead to the right of abode.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓The sponsor is admitted for employment, investment, study or under a capital-investment scheme, or is a permanent resident or person with no limit of stay.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ✓The applicant is the spouse or civil partner, or an unmarried dependent child under 18, of the sponsor (or a parent aged 60 or above where the sponsor is a permanent resident or has no limit of stay).Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ✓Reasonable proof of a genuine relationship between the applicant and the sponsor.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ✓No security objection and no known record of serious crime in respect of the applicant.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ✓The sponsor is able to support the dependant living at a standard well above the subsistence level and provide suitable accommodation.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
Common blockers
- !The sponsor own status does not permit sponsoring the particular dependant category.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- !Inability to prove a genuine relationship.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- !The sponsor cannot demonstrate sufficient financial means or accommodation.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- !A security objection or record of serious crime in respect of the applicant.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Passports and personal particulars of applicant and sponsor.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ·Marriage or civil-partnership certificate, or children birth certificates, evidencing the relationship.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ·The sponsor proof of status in Hong Kong.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
- ·The sponsor financial evidence and proof of accommodation.Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm the sponsor status allows sponsoring the specific dependant category.
Build the evidence pack
Gather relationship documents and the sponsor financial and accommodation evidence.
Submit through the official channel
Submit the dependant application to the Immigration Department with the sponsor supporting forms.
After approval
After approval, the dependant enters and resides in line with the sponsor stay, building toward seven-year residence.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicant + sponsorUse official Entry for Residence as Dependants route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Entry for Residence as Dependants.
Immigration Department (Hong Kong SAR) · verified
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Frequently asked questions
Who can sponsor a dependant in Hong Kong?+
Sponsors fall into two broad groups. Those admitted for employment, investment, study or under a capital-investment scheme can sponsor a spouse or civil partner and unmarried dependent children under 18. Hong Kong permanent residents and people with no limit of stay can additionally sponsor parents aged 60 or above.
Does time as a dependant count toward the right of abode?+
Dependants admitted into Hong Kong are residing there, and the general rule is that a person who has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years may apply for the right of abode in accordance with the law. Continuity of lawful ordinary residence is the key factor, so confirm your own circumstances against the official guidance.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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