[FionaH]

Hello. I will be going to HK next week for a months holiday from the UK. I am not sure whether to use my Hong Kong ID or UK passport at immigration.

I was told two things:

1. I must use my HK ID card at least once every 3 years so that it doesn't become invalid

2. If I use my HK ID card instead of my passport, then I am not covered by British Consulate (not that I plan on getting arrested!) nor would I be covered by my UK travel insurance.

I would be grateful for advice on whether either of these are true and what I can do about it.

Thank you.

[FionaH]

Sorry I forgot to add, the ID card status is ***AO.

[style]

The question really is: "Why should you not use your HK ID?"

If your purpose of coming to HK is to "keep your HK residency alive," then by all means use your HK ID.

I really don't understand why you need to be protected by the UK consulate. In fact, you will still be, as you have to show both your passport and ID card.

[fsklee]

If you are a Chinese citizen and a permanet resident of HK regardless of whether you have UK passport, the 3 year requirement does not apply. In this case, UK protection does not apply, but UK consulate can always recognise your UK passport when you are inside.

If you are not a Chinese citizen but are a permanet resident of HK, then you cannot leave HK for more than 3 years. You should enter HK on HK ID, regardless of whether you are showing your UK passport. In this case, UK protection is applicable.

[hktraveller]

Originally Posted by fsklee

If you are a Chinese citizen and a permanet resident of HK regardless of whether you have UK passport, the 3 year requirement does not apply. In this case, UK protection does not apply, but UK consulate can always recognise your UK passport when you are inside.

If you are not a Chinese citizen but are a permanet resident of HK, then you cannot leave HK for more than 3 years. You should enter HK on HK ID, regardless of whether you are showing your UK passport. In this case, UK protection is applicable.

If you worry so much about your protection from the UK consulate, why not enter on HK ID, take a trip to Macau or China and reenter on your passport.

[discobay]

Easy, enter with your HKID card then go to the British Consulate and fill in a form to register your presence in HK. That will give you consular protection should you get shit-faced, kidnapped and held hostage. The insurance thing is rubbish.

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by style

I really don't understand why you need to be protected by the UK consulate. In fact, you will still be, as you have to show both your passport and ID card.

That's simply not true. Permanent Residents (as is the OP) do not need a passport to enter Hong Kong.

I agree with fsklee. If the OP is a Chinese citizen (very likely with the ***, but not certain) then the 3 year thing doesn't apply.

And even if not, the only thing that changes if you don't come back once every 3 years is that "Right of Abode" gets replaced by "Right to Land". This differs only in that: a) you can't vote; b) you could be deported for certain serious offences; c) the A on your ID gets replaced by an R. Are those three items really important?

I would be really quite surprised if using your HKID card invalidated your travel insurance since you are not changing your place of residence, and whether you use the card to enter or not doesn't alter the fact that you have the right to live in HK. But only your insurance company can answer that one definitively.

[Pekkerhead]

Style is correct - If you have a permanent HKID, then Immigration officers will have it on record and ask to see it anyway. You have no choice but to present your ID card, regardless of whether or not you give them your passport as well.

[PDLM]

Rubbish. How can they possibly know that with certainty? I could have changed my passport multiple times since my PermID was granted and HK Immigration would have no way of possibly linking it back to the one used at the time of HKID application.

[discobay]

You just tell them it's in your checked-in luggage.