Dependant Visa

A Dependant Visa is needed when a dependant spouse and unmarried dependant children under the age of 18, may accompany a sponsor who holds either a valid visa, e.g. employment, investment, student (depends on the nature), other resident visas, or who has already attained permanent HK residency to apply for dependant visas.

Dependant Visa has to be applied individually for a resident (i.e. the sponsor) who is not subject to a limit of stay (i.e. a resident with the right to land or on unconditional stay). 

A dependant visa can be applied when the sponsor and dependant (i.e. applicant) has entered a same-sex civil partnership, same-sex civil union, same-sex marriage, opposite-sex civil partnership or opposite-sex civil union in accordance with the local law in force of the place of celebration and with such status being legally and officially recognised by the local authorities of the place of celebration.

Under the current immigration policy, dependant visa holders are free to work, study or set up their own business.

The age limit for unmarried dependant children should be under 18, and the age limit for dependant parents should be 60 or above. Only permanent residents are allowed to sponsor dependant parents.

Nationals of Afghanistan, Albania, Cuba and North Korea are not allowed to sponsor dependants.

If a mainland chinese marries with a person who has permanent residence in Hong Kong, he/she cannot apply a dependant visa. He/she has to apply single entry from Mainland China to be able to stay in Hong Kong.

Prism’s Visa Consultant Service Involves:

  • Provide visa consultation service regarding to the documents required for the dependant visa application
  • Prepare a tailor-made document checklist for the Dependant Visa applicant and the applicant’s Hong Kong sponsor
  • Complete all necessary visa application forms required by Immigration Department for the Dependant Visa applicant
  • Review and organize the collected documents in favor of immigration policy
  • Suggest alternative documents if the Dependant Visa applicant is not able to get the listed documents
  • Submit the application to Immigration Department
  • Reply on the applicant’s behalf to all enquiries and correspondence from Immigration Department
  • Prepare and draft all letters required for submission to Immigration Department
  • Monitor the application process
  • Keep the applicant and the sponsor updated on the status of the Dependant Visa application
  • Accept the approval and have the Dependant visa delivered to the applicant
  • Provide guidance on Hong Kong Identity Card application

Application Procedure:

  1. Free consultation regarding the Hong Kong dependant visa application;
  2. Advise the applicant and the sponsor on the alternatives and the likelihood of success;
  3. Obtain the sponsor’s signature on the letter of engagement;
  4. Obtain deposit payment;
  5. Prepare a tailor-made document checklist for the application;
  6. Complete immigration forms, drafts and letters;
  7. Review the collected documents to ensure they are correctly presented;
  8. Draft all letters required for submission to Immigration Department;
  9. Ongoing liaison with Immigration Department;
  10. Reply Immigration Department’s enquiries on the applicant’s behalf;
  11. Accept the visa approval and collect the visa label from Immigration Department;
  12. Deliver the visa to the sponsor;
  13. Provide guidance on Hong Kong Identity Card application.

Documents Required:

  • A Dependant Visa application Form ID(E) 997 with the applicant and sponsor’s signatures;
  • Copy of the applicant’s passport;
  • Supporting documents to prove the applicant’s relationship to the sponsor.

Processing Time:

The visa application process normally takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date of submission.

Remarks:

  • Student visa holders are not allowed to work unless getting a consent from Immigration Department.

Your de facto spouse cannot apply for a dependant visa as a marriage certificate is required for a spouse dependant visa application. However, your de facto spouse can apply for prolonged visitor visa which allows your de facto spouse to stay with you in Hong Kong. As long as your child has a birth certificate which testifies you are a parent of your child, your child can apply for a dependant visa.

No. Unfortunately Hong Kong government does not accept a same gender marriage. The same gender spouse may need to apply a separate employment visa.

Yes, as long as you get the formal adoption papers from the government of said developing country showing that you are the legal guardian.

No. It is because your husband is your sponsor based on your marriage relation. If you want to continue staying in Hong Kong, you have to get a job and change your current dependant visa to employment visa.

Yes. But you have to submit some supporting documents showing that your ex-husband has no objection for you to bring your child to live abroad and you are the guardian of your child in the relevant divorce paper.

No. Under the current Immigration policy, if you already got a right of abode in Hong Kong, you are treated as a“local” person, you can’t apply a dependant visa for your mainland Chinese wife in Hong Kong. She has to apply a single permit from mainland instead. It will take much longer time to get a single permit than a dependant visa.

Yes, your son can apply a dependant visa if your son is under age 18. Your current husband will become his sponsor for a dependant visa.

No. If you are not a permanent resident in Hong Kong, you cannot apply dependant visas for your parents. If you have an exceptional reason, Immigration will consider to grant prolonged visas for your parents.

1. Regulation 2(1) of the Immigration Regulations (Chapter 115A), Laws of Hong Kong, stipulates that permission given to a person to land in Hong Kong as a visitor shall be subject to the following conditions of stay:
a. he shall not take any employment, whether paid or unpaid;
b. he shall not establish or join in any business; and
c. he shall not become a student at a school, university or other educational institution.

2. A person permitted to enter Hong Kong as a visitor may generally engage in the following business-related activities:
a. concluding contracts or submitting tenders;
b. examining or supervising the installation/packaging of goods or equipment;
c. participating in exhibitions or trade fairs (except selling goods or supplying services direct to the general public, or constructing exhibition booths);
d. settling compensation or other civil proceedings;
e. participating in product orientation; and
f. attending short-term seminars or other business meetings.

3. Besides, a person permitted to enter Hong Kong as a visitor may also attend an event to deliver speech(es)/ presentation(s) subject to the following conditions being met:
a. he/she will not be remunerated for speaking/presenting at the event (other than provision of accommodation, passage, meals, etc. relating to the event, or the reimbursement of such expenses);
b. the duration of the whole event should be no longer than seven days; and
c. he/she can only attend one such event to deliver speech(es)/presentation(s) during each period of permitted stay.

4. Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and to imprisonment for 2 years under section 41 of the Immigration Ordinance (Chapter 115), Laws of Hong Kong.

No. Though exhibitors permitted to land as visitors are allowed to participate in promotions of products or services, they are not allowed to supply services direct to the general public during the exhibition/trade fairs, e.g. packing of goods, and selling the goods at the booth and receiving money from the sale from the general public. Lawfully employable persons should be hired to supply services direct to the general public in exhibitions/trade fairs.

Significant Controllers is a new regime of Companies (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 for Hong Kong companies, which is requiring to obtain up-to-date beneficial ownership information.

A significant controller can be:

– A registrable person who is a natural person that has significant control over the company; and
– A registrable legal entity (e.g. a company), which is a shareholder of the company that has significant control over the company.

All companies incorporated in Hong Kong (except listed companies) are required to maintain a significant controllers register (hereinafter “SCR”) which will be accessible by law enforcement officers upon demand. The SCR can be kept at the registered office or a place in Hong Kong.
The significant controllers register includes but not limit to the followings:

-updating information in the register;
-identifying significant controllers;
-giving notices to significant controllers & others;
-entering particulars in the register;
-allowing inspection by law enforcement officer.

The SCR should be updated within 7 days after the required particulars have all been confirmed.

All companies incorporated in Hong Kong (except listed companies) must also designate at least one person as its representative to provide assistance relating to the significant controllers register of the company to law enforcement officers. The designated representative must be either a shareholder, director or an employee of the company who is a natural person resident in Hong Kong or an accounting professional, a legal professional or a person licensed to carry on a business as trust or company service provider.

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Our story starts over 20 years
ago in Switzerland.

Michael Harris

“Prism has empowered me to start a company in Singapore and create a new life in this beautiful location. My kids love their new school.”
– Michael Harris, Client

Originally founded in 1987 by specialists for international and corporate experts, Prism was created to make cross-border relocation simpler, faster, and more reliable.

What started as a small consultancy firm has now grown and transformed into a worldwide trusted partner for individuals and companies navigating visas, work permits, and business expansion.

With a shared belief that global opportunities should be accessible and well-managed, the owners combine decades of legal, tax, and immigration experience.

Today, Prism operates in multiple countries and supports its clients each year with tailored solutions and hands-on support.

“Prism made the entire work permit process smooth.”

Our team is here to help you through every step of your journey. Whether you’re applying for a visit visa, joining family, or planning a long-term move abroad, we provide clear guidance and complete support from start to finish.

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