Originally Posted by
Left Hand Drive
(3) Since the handover in 1997, I don't believe any 'right of abode' to non-ethnic chinese is given anymore. i.e. the 3 stars on the back of the HK ID card. However, with a permanent ID card you have the 'right to land', unless it has all changed !
Not true. A Permanent ID Card with Right of Abode is given to foreigners after 7 years residence (see the link I gave above). The *** is nothing to do with Right of Abode (it signifies eligibility for a Hong Kong Re-entry permit, which, to a first approximation, means you are Chinese). Right to Land is what you revert to if having been given Right of Abode after 7 years you subsequently don't visit HK in any 36 month period; the only significant difference is that RTL holders can be deported and cannot vote.