Applying For Hk Passport But Hope To Keep My Thai One

[kchoi2011]

Hi there,

Hope you would shed some light on this matter. I'm hoping to apply for Hong Kong Permanent Residency status and then apply for the Hong Kong passport. I'm a Thai passport holder. Is there anyway to keep my Thai citizen status?

Thanks!

[ETatBKK]

to get a Hong Kong Residency, you need to stay there for at least 7 years, then you can apply for the Residency ( not language test, no bank saving ). but not really a PERMANENT Residency ( that only for Hong Kong born, whatever what native nationality ).

there is no Hong Kong Passort, but Chinese Passport for Hong Kong Special Administration Region ( China Hong Kong SAR ). as far as I know, it is only for Hong Kong Chinese and not issue to any non-Chinese foriegner ( even born there ).

a Hong Kong Residency is about the right of aboard. no effect of native Thai nationality.

[kchoi2011]

Thanks!

Yes, what I meant is that I've lived in HK for 7 years, and will apply for the Residency. Then, I plan to apply for the China HK SAR passport, and wonder how I can keep my Thai passport.

Cheers.

to get a Hong Kong Residency, you need to stay there for at least 7 years, then you can apply for the Residency ( not language test, no bank saving ). but not really a PERMANENT Residency ( that only for Hong Kong born, whatever what native nationality ).

there is no Hong Kong Passort, but Chinese Passport for Hong Kong Special Administration Region ( China Hong Kong SAR ). as far as I know, it is only for Hong Kong Chinese and not issue to any non-Chinese foriegner ( even born there ).

a Hong Kong Residency is about the right of aboard. no effect of native Thai nationality.

[HaruHaru]

Thanks!

Yes, what I meant is that I've lived in HK for 7 years, and will apply for the Residency.

Are you Chinese ethnically?

[samran]

Thanks!

Yes, what I meant is that I've lived in HK for 7 years, and will apply for the Residency. Then, I plan to apply for the China HK SAR passport, and wonder how I can keep my Thai passport.

Cheers.

I think you care confusing a couple of issues.

Firstly - in most cases it is entirely possible for Thai citizens to hold multiple passports. Many, many Thai's naturalise to gain another citizenship and keep their Thai citizenship.

It is a grey area, but under Thai law there are very limited circumstances where you lose Thai citizenship. This DOES NOT appear to be one of them.

As far as HK goes, you are applying for HK residency,

From http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/traveldoc/hksarpassport/index.htm

You are eligible to apply for a HKSAR Passport if you are:

* a Chinese citizen;

* a permanent resident of the HKSAR; and

* a holder of a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card.

You ARE NOT becoming a Chinese citizen from what you have described

Even after becoming a HKSAR resident, you will still only have one citizenship, Thai. You still use your Thai passport for travel

[kchoi2011]

So I'm told that after 7 years, I can apply for HK residency, and 6 months after obtaining the HK residency, I can apply for the HK SAR passport. What I understand is that if I want to obtain HK SAR passport, I have to give up my Thai citizen. So this sounds like I'll have to naturalize as HK/Chinese citizen and lose my Thai citizen. Is this true. Thank you so much for your input.

[samran]

Chinese law won't allow you to hold more than one nationality as far as I know.

[kchoi2011]

Doh. So it's the Chinese side, not the Thai side that gives me issue. Thanks everyone.

So rumor says that Indians in HK who naturalize to Chinese HKSAR are able to keep their Indian citizenship. I wonder how they do it.

[deankham]

Just to back up samran's correct advice; The Chinese will not let you have dual passports. In order to get a Chinese passport (HK SAR in your case) you would have to denounce your Thai nationality.

It is purely a Chinese thing and nothing about being Thai.

..Eg my daughter has dual Thai & UK passport, however my wife (HK permament resident, but thai national) would not be allowed to have a HK SAR (Chinese) passport & a thai one.

[ETatBKK]

further to the discussion above, you may also check the Chinese Nationality Law in this link ( article 7 and 8 ) and very clear on the qualifications and the issues on neutralisation ( yeah, it is a Chinese thing ) :

http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/chinese/naturalisation.htm

while you are in Hong Kong, just pick up the phone and call them at :

Travel Documents and Nationality (Application) Section

Immigration Department

4th Floor, Immigration Tower

7 Gloucester Road

Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Telephone: (852) 2829 3093