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Hong Kong Immigration DepartmentNationality
Chinese nationality matters in Hong Kong
Naturalisation, restoration, renunciation and change of Chinese nationality are nationality-law processes, not visa or permanent residence applications.
info-chinese-nationalityNaturalisation, restoration, renunciation and change of Chinese nationality are nationality-law processes, not visa or permanent residence applications.
Nationality
Chinese nationality matters
A Hong Kong permanent resident may or may not be a Chinese citizen. Existing nationality, eligibility for naturalisation or restoration, and the effects of renunciation on right of abode and travel documents require separate assessment under the Nationality Law as implemented in Hong Kong and the person’s facts.
Naturalisation as a Chinese national
- A foreign or stateless applicant must meet the Nationality Law and is assessed individually on factors including relatives, right of abode, habitual residence, family, income, tax, character, language and intention to remain in Hong Kong.
- An approved applicant cannot retain foreign nationality; filing or paying a fee does not guarantee approval.
Restoration, renunciation and change of nationality
- Restoration applies to a person who previously held Chinese nationality and meets the relevant legal requirements.
- Renunciation or a change-of-nationality application in Hong Kong may affect Chinese citizenship, an HKSAR passport and, in some circumstances, right of abode; the consequences should be checked first.
Relationship with permanent residence
- Hong Kong permanent residence does not automatically make a non-Chinese national a Chinese citizen.
- An HKSAR passport requires Chinese citizenship, Hong Kong permanent residence and a valid permanent identity card, among other application requirements.
How to read nationality application data
- Current official open data records applications received for naturalisation, restoration and renunciation.
- Without matching annual approval and refusal figures, no approval rate can be calculated and application counts must not be presented as successful applicants.
Official resources
Important notice
This guide summarizes public Hong Kong Government information for general reference only. It is not legal or immigration advice and does not guarantee approval. Current eligibility, evidence, conditions of stay and final decisions remain subject to the Hong Kong Immigration Department’s assessment of each case.