[sangamvk]

Can some one advice me how to apply for dependent visa and how long it takes. Meanwhile can the dependent enter the country?

[PDLM]

It depends on who you are dependent on... what does the sponsor have? HK Permanent Residence? an Employment Visa? a Study Visa? And what is your relationship to them that makes you eligible to be their dependent?

While applications for dependent visas are in progress it is OK to enter HK as a normal visitor...

[sangamvk]

The dependent would be my wife. I will have employment visa.

[PDLM]

Then everything you need is on the Immigration Department website:
The form: http://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/id(e)936.pdf
The guidance notes: http://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/id(e)937.pdf
The FAQ: http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/faq_hkv.htm

[phooey]

I've been told that a person on a dependent visa has to stay in Hong Kong for 180 days or more of the year in order for that year to count towards the 7 years required for full resident status.

I can't see that 180 day requirement in the forms on the goverment site, thankyou to PDLM, does anyone know if this is true?

[nivantj]

Phooey,
That is true for any non-permenent person and not just dependent.. Continuos 7 yrs includes each year a person should be here for at least 180 days..

[PDLM]

On the application form for Permanent Residency ( http://www.immd.gov.hk/pdforms/rop145.pdf ) you have to list any absences of more than 6 months and justify your claim that HK was still your main place of residence during that period. It states "continuous periods of 6 months" so multiple exits totalling more than 180 days wouldn't be a problem, but if you weren't here at all for a period of more than 180 days then I think you would have a hard time proving to ImmD that HK had been your place of ordinary residence for a continuous period of 7 years, which is the requirement for PR.

[phooey]

ahhh, okay that's good news for me anyway. I didn't want to have to count days out of the country.