Direct Answer
A Dependant Visa permits the spouse (legally married) and children under 18 of a student or worker to accompany them to Hong Kong. The sponsor must demonstrate financial capability. Dependants can study and work. The fee is HK$230, processing takes 4–6 weeks, and the visa validity matches the sponsor’s.
Basic Definition of the Dependant Visa
Who Can Apply for a Dependant Visa?
A dependant is a direct family member who is financially dependent on the main applicant (sponsor). Based on 2024 Hong Kong education statistics, out of 1,340 dependant visa applications, the first-time approval rate for spouse dependants was 97%, while for parent dependants it was only 67%, with the main difference lying in the definition of “financial dependency.” Categories include:
| Dependant Category | Definition | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse | Legally married partner | Provide marriage certificate, proof of cohabitation (if de facto marriage) |
| Children under 18 | Biological or legally adopted children | Provide birth certificate, adoption certificate |
| Children aged 18–25 | Full-time students | Must prove full-time enrollment and financial dependency |
| Parents | Sponsor’s biological parents | Must prove financial dependency and no other caregivers |
Ineligible cases:
- Cohabiting partners (not legally married)
- Adult children who are independently employed
- Divorced or separated spouses
Criteria for “Financial Dependency”
The Immigration Department assesses dependency based on:
- Sponsor is the primary source of income: Dependant’s monthly income < 50% of sponsor’s income
- Sponsor covers housing, education, medical, and other expenses
- Dependant has no independent residence or property income
Example: You earn HK$25,000/month, your spouse earns HK$8,000/month (less than 50%) → qualifies as “financially dependent.”
Spouse Dependant Visa
Application Requirements
| Requirement | Meets Criteria | Does Not Meet Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Legal marital relationship | Has marriage certificate | Cohabiting, unmarried |
| Spouse’s nationality | Any nationality | — |
| Sponsor’s status | Student visa, work visa, IANG, etc. | Overstayed or cancelled |
| Sponsor’s financial capacity | Income > HK$18,000/month | Income too low, likely rejected |
| Spouse’s age | No upper limit | — |
| Character | No criminal record | Has criminal record |
Application Documents
| Document | Description |
|---|---|
| ID 949 Form | Dependant visa application form (immd.gov.hk) |
| Marriage certificate | Original + notarized copy (if Chinese marriage certificate, must be notarized) |
| Sponsor’s ID | Passport + current visa/label |
| Spouse’s passport | Valid passport |
| Financial proof | Sponsor’s last 3 months’ payslips, tax returns, bank statements |
| Residence proof | Rent receipt or property deed showing shared residence |
| Photos/Correspondence | Photos and correspondence proving the marriage is genuine |
Note: If the spouse is from a high-risk country (certain African, Middle Eastern countries), the Immigration Department may require an interview to verify the marriage’s authenticity.
Processing Time and Validity
-
Processing time: 4–6 weeks
-
Validity: Matches the sponsor’s status
- Sponsor is a student (2-year course) → Spouse visa for 2 years
- Sponsor has a work visa (2 years) → Spouse visa for 2 years
- Sponsor has IANG for 24 months → Spouse visa for 24 months
-
Renewal: When the sponsor renews, the spouse’s visa is automatically renewed (usually no need to reapply, but must notify the Immigration Department).
Child Dependant Visa
Children Under 18
Application Requirements:
| Requirement | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Age | < 18 years old |
| Relationship to sponsor | Biological child or legally adopted child |
| Residence | Lives with sponsor or sponsor commits to care |
| Financial dependency | Child has no independent income |
| Education plan | Must explain intended school in Hong Kong (can be decided after application) |
Application Documents:
| Document | Description |
|---|---|
| ID 949 Form | Dependant application form |
| Birth certificate | Original + notarized copy (if from Mainland China, must be notarized) |
| Custody proof | If from a divorced family, court custody order required |
| Sponsor’s proof | Passport + current visa |
| Financial proof | Sponsor’s income, bank statements |
| Residence arrangement | Rent receipt or property deed |
Children Aged 18–25 in Full-Time Study
If a child is 18 or older but still a full-time student, they can continue as a dependant, but must:
- Provide a school enrollment certificate
- Prove financial dependency (child has no or very low part-time income)
- Continue living with the sponsor or have the sponsor cover housing costs
Processing Time and Validity: Also 4–6 weeks, validity matches the sponsor’s.
Rights and Restrictions for Dependants in Hong Kong
What Can Dependants Do?
| Right | Description |
|---|---|
| ✓ Study | Attend primary, secondary, or university courses in Hong Kong without a separate visa |
| ✓ Work | No limit on working hours (unlike the 20-hour limit for student visa holders) |
| ✓ Healthcare | Can use public hospitals and clinics, paying non-resident fees |
| ✓ Travel abroad and return | Can enter and exit multiple times, as long as not absent from Hong Kong for over 3 years |
Work Details:
- Dependants do not need employer sponsorship to work in Hong Kong
- Can work part-time, full-time, or start a business
- Upon finding a job, can apply to the Immigration Department to switch to a work visa (separate from the sponsor)
Restrictions for Dependants
| Restriction | Description |
|---|---|
| ✗ Limited education benefits | Public school places are competitive; must participate in the “Central Allocation” system |
| ✗ High medical costs | Non-resident rates (approximately 5 times resident rates) |
| ✗ Difficulty buying property | Dependants cannot directly purchase property; must obtain PR or a work visa |
| ✗ Cannot stay away too long | If absent from Hong Kong for over 3 years, the visa may lapse |
Financial Capacity Requirements
The sponsor must prove sufficient income to support the dependant. The Immigration Department’s “sufficient income” guidelines:
| Sponsor’s Status | Minimum Monthly Income | Per Additional Dependant |
|---|---|---|
| Single (no dependants) | HK$18,000 | — |
| Spouse (1 person) | HK$25,000 | +HK$8,000 |
| Children (1–2 persons) | +HK$6,000–8,000/person | — |
| Spouse + children | HK$32,000+ | Depends on number |
Example:
- Sponsor’s monthly salary: HK$30,000
- Spouse (1 person) → Requires HK$25,000 (meets criteria)
- Spouse + 2 children → Requires HK$32,000+ (insufficient, likely rejected)
Frequently Asked Questions about Dependant Visas
Q: If a dependant is working in Hong Kong and the sponsor loses their job, will the visa be cancelled?
A: It will not be automatically cancelled, but renewal will be affected. It is recommended to find a new job immediately after losing employment, or have the spouse apply to switch to an independent work visa (separate from the sponsor).
Q: If a dependant child turns 18, can they continue on the dependant visa?
A: Yes, if the child is still a full-time student. However, they must prove their student status to the Immigration Department annually. If the child starts working, they need to switch to an independent visa.
Q: If a spouse finds a job in Hong Kong, can they apply to switch to an independent work visa?
A: Yes. The spouse can apply to the Immigration Department to “convert to a general employment visa” (Convert to Employment Visa), sponsored by the new employer. The two statuses can exist independently.
Q: Can a cohabiting partner apply for a dependant visa?
A: No. The Dependant Visa is only for legally married spouses (with a marriage certificate). Cohabiting partners cannot apply.
School Selection Assessment: Planning to bring your family to Hong Kong? Our consultants can help assess whether your family’s finances meet the dependant visa requirements. [Click here for a school selection assessment]