The basic conditions
- Ordinarily resided in Hong Kong in a recognised status for a continuous period of seven years or more
- Taken Hong Kong as your permanent place of residence
How the seven years build up
Time in Hong Kong after approval under TTPS, QMAS, GEP or CIES counts. Extensions must go smoothly for the seven years to be continuous.
Common factors
- Long absences: can affect whether you are "ordinarily resident".
- Gaps in extensions: an expired or refused extension can break continuity.
- Dependants: spouses and children build up their years as dependants.
Planning advice
- Understand your scheme’s extension conditions and prepare early.
- Keep records of work, residence and tax in Hong Kong.
- Plan for the whole family so nobody falls short of the years needed.