Short answer: Hong Kong residents of Chinese descent who obtain a foreign passport are generally still treated as Chinese nationals; Hong Kong and mainland travel often still use Chinese documents. The foreign passport is mainly for third countries. Declaring a change of nationality to the Immigration Department changes the position.
Practical principles
- No declaration: Chinese-national rules often still apply in HK and the mainland
- Third-country travel: foreign passport (subject to visas)
- After declaration: plan under the new nationality and document rules
Before CBI
Understand effects on work, property, tax and children’s status, and take legal advice. This is not legal advice.