Seven years of ordinary residence remains the right-of-abode test
In force
Residency
A non-Chinese national may qualify for Hong Kong permanent resident status after ordinarily residing in Hong Kong continuously for at least seven years and taking Hong Kong as the place of permanent residence, subject to the legal eligibility and evidence rules. A visa route does not by itself guarantee that later application.
Who it affects
Long-term residents planning for permanent status.
Sources
Primary: Hong Kong Immigration Department — Right of Abode ↗
Verified 2026-08-02 · methodology