How do you get permanent residence in Hong Kong in 2026?

Schedule 1 to the Immigration Ordinance lists categories. For many foreign professionals the key path is category (d): a person not of Chinese nationality who entered Hong Kong with a valid travel document, has ordinarily resided here for a continuous period of not less than seven years, and has taken Hong Kong as their place of permanent residence. The seven years must sit immediately before the application date. You do not hold that permanent-resident status until the Director of Immigration approves the application.

Ordinary residence means lawful, voluntary stay for a settled purpose such as work or study. Temporary absences do not automatically break it, but ImmD looks at reason, length, and frequency of trips, habitual residence, Hong Kong employment, and where spouse and minor children live. Time as a foreign domestic helper, under certain labour-importation schemes, in unlawful stay, or in several other excluded statuses does not count as ordinary residence.

Chinese citizens have separate birth and seven-year ordinary-residence categories. Children born in Hong Kong to non-Chinese permanent residents under 21 follow category (e) rules and must reassess at 21. Pre-1997 permanent residents who left can face right-to-land versus ROA distinctions on return; read ImmD’s non-Chinese guidance if that history applies.

Apply while you are staying lawfully. ImmD verification of eligibility for a permanent identity card needs your current HKID if any, travel documents showing landing and conditions of stay, and evidence of continuous ordinary residence such as employment records, school papers, tax assessments, bank statements, and official receipts. Non-Chinese applicants must make ImmD’s permanent-residence declaration and show habitual residence, family ties, means of support, and tax compliance where relevant.

Keep renewals of employment or other entry permits clean for the full seven years: Apply for a residence permit. Register and carry a non-permanent HKID first if you qualify on arrival: Get an HKID. Eligible Person public healthcare and everyday banking already lean on a valid card and stay: Enrol in public healthcare and Open a bank account. Foreign documents used as proof may need apostille or legalisation before ImmD accepts them: Apostille documents.