Dependant Visa
Anyone who intends to enter and stay in Hong Kong as a dependant needs a visa.
A person can be a sponsor if they have entered with the following .
- Student visa studying in a full-time undergraduate or post-graduate local programme leading to a degree awarded by a local institution
- Employment visa as a professional or for investment
- Entry for Training visa
- Through the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme
- Under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme
- Via the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents
He/She may apply for his/her spouse or lawful domestic partner (same-sex or opposite-sex) and unmarried dependant children under the age of 18. For a successful applicant whose sponsor has been admitted with a Student visa, an initial stay of 12 months will normally be granted, with extension subject to annual approval. In other cases, the length of stay granted will normally be linked to that of the sponsor.
If the sponsor is a Hong Kong resident without any limit of stay, his/her parents aged 60 or above may also apply. Upon successful application for extension, a spouse/lawful domestic partner and unmarried dependant child under 18 will normally be granted stay with a 3-3 years pattern, whereas a parent aged 60 or above a 2-2-3 years pattern.
Traveling and Returning to Hong Kong after Admitted with a Dependant Visa
Persons admitted with a dependant visa can travel and re-enter Hong Kong within the permitted period of stay without any re-entry visa.
Becoming a Permanent Resident in Hong Kong
Persons admitted as dependants who have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of seven years may apply for the right of abode.
Restriction on Application for a Dependant visa
Arrangement on Dependant visa does not apply to :
- Nationals of Afghanistan and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
- Former Mainland Chinese residents residing in Macao having obtained a Macao identity card for less than 7 years, unless their residence in Macao have been acquired through the One-way Permit Scheme
For applicants who are Chinese residents of Mainland China, their sponsors must have entered with the following.
- Student visa for studying in a full-time undergraduate or post-graduate local programme leading to a degree awarded by a local institution
- Employment visa as a professional or for investment
- Entry for Training visa
- Under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme
- Through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme
- Via the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents
Working and Studying in Hong Kong with a Dependant Visa
A dependant can work in Hong Kong if his/her sponsor satisfies the following.
- Not subject to any stay limit in Hong Kong, and
- Entered with a visa for work, investment or training in Hong Kong or
- Under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme or the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents
If the sponsor was admitted to study in Hong Kong, the dependant(s) cannot work in Hong Kong, unless with prior approval from Director of Immigration.
All dependants can study in Hong Kong with no prior approval needed.
Required Documents for a Dependant Visa Application
The Applicant
- Completed Form ID 997
- Photocopy of valid travel document
- Photocopy of Hong Kong identity card (if any)
- Photocopies of proof of applicant’s relationship with the sponsor
- Photocopy of Macao identification card (for Macao residents only)
- Photocopy of household registration in Taiwan and Taiwan identification card (for Taiwan residents only)
The Sponsor
- Part B of the Applicant’s Form ID 997(*)
- Photocopy of Hong Kong identity card
- Photocopy of valid travel document
- Photocopy of proof of financial standing (e.g. bank statements, tax receipts and salary slips)
- Photocopy of proof of accommodation (e.g. rental receipts)(*)
Form ID 997 not needed if the sponsor includes the applicant as accompanying dependant with his/her application form for entry to Hong Kong.
Processing Time for a Dependant Visa Application
Upon submission of all documents, it normally takes the Immigration Department six weeks to process an application. Additional supporting documents may be requested by the Immigration Department.
Counting on FastLane HR for Assistance in Dependant Visa Applications
Applying for Dependant visas can be complex and time-consuming if you do not know exactly the documents and justifications you need to provide to meet the approval criteria by the Immigration Department. It is always best to do it right the first time than trial and errors. FastLane HR has a team of experienced professionals familiar with the requirements and processes involved in obtaining a Dependant visa. We also offer renewals for Dependant visa. FastLane HR is the perfect partner for people who need Dependant visa assistance to obtain approval in one go.
Full Services offered by FastLane HR to facilitate Dependant Visa Applications
- Understand your situation and needs
- Assist and/or advise preparation of required documents
- Review documents provided by the applicant
- Prepare declarations, application forms and letters of authorisation
- Submit application to the Immigration Department
- Follow-up and communicate with the Immigration Department and provide additional supporting documents when required
- Continuous communications with the applicant
- Arrange payment and collection of visa label
- Send the visa label to the applicant