[weatherx]

I am a Singapore citizen here in Hong Kong under a tourist visa which allows me to stay for 90 days.

1) How many times can I extend my stay in HK if I take a short day trip to China? eg. Extend by another 90 days when I re enter HK from China. Am I allowed to do this perpetually?

2) Can I apply for a 1* Identity Card after staying here for more than 180 days? Does this 1* ID card give me the right to abode in HK? What are the uses of this 1* card and how is it different from a 2 or 3* card?

3) How do I open a bank account as a tourist? Most of the banks I have checked with, require me to have proof of residence in HK. That is, having a utility bill mailed to my HK residence address under my name. How is this possible as even if i rent a room here, the bill is addressed to the land lord and not me.

4) How do I open a back account when I have an employment visa?


Many thanks for reading this and clearing up my queries.

[KnowItAll]

>> How do I open a bank account as a tourist?

No problems at HSBC.

Not sure what this 1* thingy is ... can you point me to a reference on www.immd.gov.hk ?

[nivantj]

1) Definitely not allowed perpetually... They might catch you one day and refuse further extention... When!!!..All depends on luck.
2) Forget about stars, they are distant in the sky if you do not have valid visa other than visitor.. And if you do have valid visa, number of stars doesnt make much diff as long as day-to-day living is concerned..

[weatherx]

hmm... so it all boils down to securing a job. once i get a job, the ID and everything will fall into place rite? it would have been much easier if i was already offered a job and a visa prior to coming to HK.
now i just have to press on....

KnowItAll: I not too sure where to find the info about the * from the webpage. My gf who is a HongKonger has a permanent IC has 3*. According to her, those born in HK will have 3* while foreign workers will not be able to attain the 3* status.

[kostas]

'Stars' don't show the status of a person but the special letters/symbols do. Take a look at:

http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkid_frontinfo.htm