Under the new scheme, applicants/investors may apply to bring their dependents to Hong Kong in accordance with Hong Kong's prevailing dependent policy. These dependents include the applicant’s spouse or a partner in a same-sex civil partnership, same-sex civil union, "same-sex marriage," opposite-sex civil partnership, or opposite-sex civil union, provided such a relationship is legally and officially recognized by the relevant local authorities where it was established (Note 3), as well as unmarried dependent children under the age of 18.
Additionally, dependents entering Hong Kong shall be subject to any other applicable immigration policies in effect at the time of entry.
The duration of stay for such dependents is typically linked to the stay granted to the applicant/investor (i.e., their sponsor). Dependents may apply for an extension of stay, but such applications will only be considered if the dependents continue to meet the eligibility criteria for staying in Hong Kong as dependents (e.g., no changes have occurred that would result in the loss of sponsorship, such as the termination of the marital relationship between the dependent spouse and the sponsor or the death of the sponsor) and if the sponsor remains a genuine Hong Kong resident.
Under current policy, the above-mentioned dependents may work and study in Hong Kong without restrictions.
Note 3: For the avoidance of doubt, the terms "civil partnership" and "civil union" as used above refer to a legal institution similar in nature to the spousal relationship in marriage. Same-sex civil partnerships, same-sex civil unions, "same-sex marriages," opposite-sex civil partnerships, and opposite-sex civil unions established under laws outside Hong Kong are limited to relationships legally and officially recognized by the local authorities where they were formed. Such relationships typically possess the following characteristics:
(a) The formation and dissolution of the relationship are governed by legal provisions in the jurisdiction where the relationship is established;
(b) The relationship must be registered with the competent authority designated by the laws of that jurisdiction;
(c) The registration is evidenced by documentation issued by the competent authority; and
(d) Both parties to the relationship commit to living together in a manner akin to a spousal relationship in marriage, with exclusivity to one another.
These relationships do not include de facto partners, cohabitants, fiancés, or fiancées.