renouncing Chinese citizenship and keeping HK permanent residency.

[mcdull 474]

I am a Chinese citizen with Permanent residency in Hong Kong (Born in British HK and hold HKSAR and British National Overseas passports)

 

I recently applied for naturalisation. Given the current political tension between HK and China, I plan to renounce my Chinese citizenship as soon as I became a US citizen.

 

My understanding is that once a HK permanent resident renounced her/his Chinese citizenship, her/his permanent residency in HK remain valid. The only consequences are she/he loses the privilege to hold a SAR passport as well as the eligibility for a "BACK TO CHINA" permit.  Can somebody confirm if this is true? 

 

Also, anybody had renounced her/his Chinese citizenship, did you have any problem lodging a visa to China?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

[EG&XY 144]

The us recognized dual citizenship but china does not. As soon as you become a us citizen your Chinese citizenship is automatically gone since china doesn't recognize it. At that point you will have to apply for a visa to enter china.

 

sorry, not sure about the hk portion of this.

[jakartausa 28]

This process is simple:

Procedures for Renunciation, in General

Citizenship-related applications should be filed with the city or county’s public security bureau exit-entry administration. (Although not discussed here, an application may also be filed with PRC Embassies and Consulates abroad).

Applications of Chinese citizens under the age of 18 to renounce citizenship may be filed on their behalf by their parents or other legal representatives.

Upon determining that the application is complete, the local exit-entry administration should issue a receipt. Examination and approval is by the Ministry of Public Security. The time period for processing an application is not specified by rules, and it can take up to one year.

If an application for renunciation of Chinese citizenship is approved, Chinese citizenship is lost at once. You will be issued a certificate of renunciation of Chinese nationality. You will need to surrender any valid Chinese passport for cancellation.

Now that you are recognized as a foreign national, you will also need to apply for a visa or residence permit.

Renunciation isn’t necessarily forever. Foreign nationals who once held Chinese nationality may apply for restoration of Chinese nationality if they have legitimate reasons.

 

 

[mcdull 474]

1 hour ago, EG&XY said:

The us recognized dual citizenship but china does not. As soon as you become a us citizen your Chinese citizenship is automatically gone since china doesn't recognize it. At that point you will have to apply for a visa to enter china.

 

sorry, not sure about the hk portion of this.

7

HK works differently due to our colonial past, HK immigration department, rather than China's Public Security is responsible for Citizenship issues in HK.

You will be able to retain dual citizenship until you make a formal declaration with Immigration Department. until then, you are still treated as a Chinese citizen and the foreign passport is only treated as a travel document rather than proof of citizenship.

[mcdull 474]

39 minutes ago, jakartausa said:

This process is simple:

Procedures for Renunciation, in General

Citizenship-related applications should be filed with the city or county’s public security bureau exit-entry administration. (Although not discussed here, an application may also be filed with PRC Embassies and Consulates abroad).

Applications of Chinese citizens under the age of 18 to renounce citizenship may be filed on their behalf by their parents or other legal representatives.

Upon determining that the application is complete, the local exit-entry administration should issue a receipt. Examination and approval is by the Ministry of Public Security. The time period for processing an application is not specified by rules, and it can take up to one year.

If an application for renunciation of Chinese citizenship is approved, Chinese citizenship is lost at once. You will be issued a certificate of renunciation of Chinese nationality. You will need to surrender any valid Chinese passport for cancellation.

Now that you are recognized as a foreign national, you will also need to apply for a visa or residence permit.

Renunciation isn’t necessarily forever. Foreign nationals who once held Chinese nationality may apply for restoration of Chinese nationality if they have legitimate reasons.

 

 

Thanks, this would be relevant for someone from Mainland China.  HK works different and I wish to seek advice from whom has experience dealing with citizenship issues in HK.

[jakartausa 28]

The internet is your friend! You should try it

 

http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/forms/forms/id924.html

 

I suggest first emailing them for information before beginning:

 

enquiry@immd.gov.hk

Edited August 2, 2017 by jakartausa
added email

[mcdull 474]

Just now, jakartausa said:

The internet is your friend! You should try it

 

http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/forms/forms/id924.html

Really appreciate your help.

 

I am aware of the process of renouncing Chinese citizenship. I am seeking insights on retaining HK permanent residency after losing Chinese citizenship.

 

Thanks all the same.

[jakartausa 28]

4 minutes ago, mcdull said:

Really appreciate your help.

 

I am aware of the process of renouncing Chinese citizenship. I am seeking insights on retaining HK permanent residency after losing Chinese citizenship.

 

Thanks all the same.

That seems like a rather complex legal question. You may want to find a lawyer in HK or an american lawyer who was once a lawyer in China (As you likely know being a lawyer in china does not translate/convert to the USA so its not hard to find a lawyer in the USA who was once a Chinese lawyer) and ask them for advice here. Just my two cents. 

[PandaMaker 24]

My mother was born in British HK, and is now a US citizen and residing in the states. She has her HK permament resident card (issued just a few years ago), and she did not have any trouble getting a visa to China this year. However, she became a US citizen years before 1 July 1997 and never had a HKSAR passport, so I don't know if that makes a difference to you.