The Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China (CNL) has been applied in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) since 1 July 1997 pursuant to Article 18 of and Annex III to the Basic Law, and interpreted in accordance with the “Explanations of Some Questions by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress concerning the implementation of the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR”.
A “Chinese citizen” is a person of Chinese nationality under the CNL. Hong Kong residents who are of Chinese descent and were born in the Chinese territories (including Hong Kong), or persons who satisfy the criteria laid down in the CNL as having Chinese nationality, are Chinese nationals.
On this page you can gain access to information about the legal framework of Chinese nationality in Hong Kong, the types of changes you can make in relation to Chinese nationality, where to submit applications or obtain further information, and the fees you will be charged.
Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China
The CNL, as promulgated and explained by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, provides for the accquisition, loss and restoration of Chinese nationality. The following link will take you to the full text of the Nationality Law and the “Explantions”
- Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China and the “Explanations”http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/chinese/law.htm
Declaration of Change of Nationality
Hong Kong residents who are Chinese citizens holding foreign passports have the option of declaring a change of nationality to the HKSAR Immigration Department if they want to be regarded as foreign nationals. Information on how to declare a change of nationality and the consequences of that change is available through the following link.
- Application for declaration of change of nationalityhttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/chinese/declare.htm
Application for Naturalisation as a Chinese National
If you are a foreign national or a stateless person, you can apply for naturalisation as a Chinese national provided that you are a Hong Kong resident and meet the requirements under CNL. The following link will take you to information on applying for naturalisation while in Hong Kong or overseas.
- Application for Naturalisation as a Chinese Nationalhttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/chinese/naturalisation.htm
Renunciation of Chinese Nationality
If you are a Chinese citizen, you can apply to renounce your Chinese nationality provided that you comply with certain requirements. More information on the requirements, application procedures and consequences of renouncing Chinese nationality is available through the following link.
- Application for Renunciation of Chinese Nationalityhttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/chinese/renounce.htm
Restoration of Chinese Nationality
If you are a foreign national and once held Chinese nationality, you can apply for restoration of Chinese nationality. The following link will take you to further information.
- Application for Restoration of Chinese Nationalityhttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/chinese/restoration.htm
- Frequently asked questions about Chinese Nationalityhttp://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/chinese/faqnationality.htm
Statistics on Nationality-Related Applications
The following table gives an overview of recent figures on the four categories of applications relating to Chinese nationality.
|
2011 |
2012 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Declarations of change of nationality received |
152 |
95 |
| Applications for naturalisation as a Chinese national received |
1 219 |
1 274 |
| Applications for renunciation of Chinese nationality received |
52 |
119 |
| Applications for restoration of Chinese nationality received |
15 |
5 |
Contact Details
To submit an application or make further enquiries, please contact the Travel Documents and Nationality (Application) Section of the Immigration Department of the HKSAR.
Address:
4th Floor, Immigration Tower
7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai
Hong Kong
Working hours:
8:45 am – 4:30 pm (Monday-Friday)
9 – 11:30 am (Saturday)
Closed on Sundays and public holidays
Telephone hotline: 2824 6111
Fax: 2877 7711
Email: enquiry@immd.gov.hkmailto:enquiry@immd.gov.hk
Last review date: February 2012
