| Stuck in Limbo
I came to Hong Kong in May 1995. I have lived here ever since except for 15 months in New York where I was sent by a Hong Kong company which then went bust and I came back. THere was therefore a break in my continuous set of visas.
My visa ran out just over a year ago and I have been here as a visitor. Although I own shares in a company (that I would like to be employed by but it is not big enough to sponsor me yet) I am not employed by anyone and have had no taxable income during the period I have been a visitor. In other words I have been careful not to break any laws although I have trod on some grey areas.
I live with my fiance with whom I have been together for eight years. She is local. We were planning to get married in about a year's time from now.
Notwithstanding the break in visas Hong Kong has arguably been my place of residence that whole time - even while away my bank accounts were in constant use as all my finances were here even though I was paid in the states in what was little more than a current account of conveniance.
I would have sorted this out before but SARS nearly bankrupted me and it has taken a while for us to get back on an even keel and I could not afford to get any legal advice until now.
What options do the experts think are open to me. I am in this paculiar position of living in Hong Kong for ten years albeit with a break courtesy of a previous local employer, everything I own and owe is here, including the car! yet legally being a visitor.
I am trying to avoid the idea of bringing forward a marraige date simply for a dependant visa which would ruin many plans and hopes.
Do the experts think there is any argument left for a permanent or regardless of my ten years plus with Hong Kong being the center of my life the break in New York and the now expired work visa is beyond discretionary approval? Is unconcitional an option? Or have I no options beyond another sponsored visa or a dependant?  | 
