Who can sponsor?
A Hong Kong Dependant Visa (受养人签证) can be granted to the family of a sponsor who is ordinarily resident in Hong Kong and falls into one of:
- Hong Kong permanent resident
- Holder of QMAS, GEP, ASMTP, TTPS, IANG, Technology Talent Admission Scheme, or CIES visa
- Capital investor or admitted talent under any other immigration scheme
Note: holders of Working Holiday, training, or non-Chinese permanent resident on visit generally cannot sponsor dependants.
Who can be a dependant?
- Spouse in a monogamous marriage recognised in Hong Kong
- Unmarried, dependent children under 18
- Parents aged 60 or above — only sponsorable by a Hong Kong permanent resident, not by talent-visa holders
Three core requirements
- Genuine relationship — marriage certificates, birth certificates, and supporting evidence (joint photos, financial co-mingling, communication records).
- Sponsor financial ability — recent income (pay slips, tax returns) and savings sufficient to support the family without recourse to public funds.
- Suitable accommodation — tenancy agreement or property deed showing the family will not be overcrowded.
Documents
- ID 997 application form
- Sponsor's HKID and proof of immigration status
- Marriage / birth certificates (notarised if not in English / Chinese)
- Sponsor's income proof (3-6 months of pay slips, latest Tax Demand Note)
- Tenancy agreement or property ownership document
- Family photos and supporting evidence of relationship
What can dependants do?
Once admitted, dependants enjoy virtually identical rights to their sponsor:
- Take any employment with no restriction
- Start a business
- Enrol in any school or university
- Use public hospitals (with non-PR fee schedule)
- Apply to convert to a substantive visa (QMAS, GEP) at any time
Renewal and PR
Dependant visas are issued co-terminus with the sponsor's status. Once the sponsor becomes a permanent resident, dependants can also apply if they have completed 7 continuous years of ordinary residence.