Understanding Dependant Visa in Hong Kong
The Dependant Visa in Hong Kong facilitates the relocation of immediate family members, including spouses and unmarried children below 18, of foreign nationals holding valid Hong Kong visas. It is a companion visa for those engaged in employment, investment, training, study, or permanent residency in Hong Kong.
Applicants must submit a separate application for each family member, sponsored by the principal visa holder. The dependant’s duration of stay aligns with the sponsor’s permitted stay, allowing them to live, work, and study in Hong Kong during this period.
Eligibility for the Dependant Visa depends on the sponsor’s residency status, categorised into A and B. Requirements include proof of genuine relationships, no detrimental records, and the sponsor’s ability to support and provide accommodation.
Document submission involves comprehensive details from both dependants and sponsors, including proof of relationships, financial standing, and accommodation. The process takes around six weeks, and if successful, a Visa/Entry Permit label is issued for affixation to the passport.
Dependant Visa holders can renew their visas, linking to the sponsor’s stay pattern. They are eligible to work in Hong Kong, provided the sponsor falls under specific categories. Additionally, all dependants can study without a separate student visa.
After residing continuously with a Dependant Visa for seven years, individuals become eligible to apply for Permanent Residence, known as the “Right of Abode” in Hong Kong, subject to fulfilling requisite criteria.
