Currently, popular ways to obtain Hong Kong identity include the Hong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, the Study Scheme, and the Entrepreneur Scheme. However, regardless of the method, the status obtained is that of a non-permanent resident of Hong Kong, not a permanent resident. To obtain permanent residency in Hong Kong, one must meet the requirement of residing continuously in Hong Kong for 7 years.

So what should one do with their mainland household registration if they meet the conditions to obtain permanent residency? How should assets and social security be handled?

Issues regarding mainland household registration.
The Hong Kong Immigration Department stipulates that after obtaining Hong Kong resident status through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, Study Scheme, Entrepreneur Scheme, etc., one can apply for permanent residency after meeting the 7-year requirement. Moreover, the Hong Kong government does not explicitly require the cancellation of mainland household registration upon obtaining permanent residency, so individuals can make choices based on their real-life situations.

Mainland household registration and permanent residency can coexist without affecting each other. However, if one does not cancel their mainland household registration, they cannot apply for a Home Return Permit and can only obtain a Hong Kong Permanent Resident Identity Card and a Hong Kong SAR passport. Therefore, when entering Hong Kong, you can use the permanent resident identity card; when entering mainland China, you continue to use the Hong Kong and Macau travel permit.
 

How to handle mainland household registration?

As mentioned above, obtaining Hong Kong permanent residency does not necessarily require the cancellation of mainland household registration. Therefore:

①If the mainland household registration is still valid, all assets can be arranged as usual;
②If you plan to cancel your mainland household registration, you can handle your assets before cancellation, such as transferring them to someone else's name;
③If you cancel your mainland household registration and apply for a Home Return Permit, and if you still have assets in mainland China, you will need to handle the change of registration.

Since we cannot directly prove that the person on the Hong Kong Identity Card or Home Return Permit is the same as the person on the original mainland Identity Card, we cannot use the Hong Kong Identity Card or Home Return Permit to handle the change of registration. If you want to deal with properties under the original mainland identity, one procedure must be completed, which is the "same person" notarization! With this notarization document, you can return to the relevant departments or institutions in mainland China to handle related procedures such as change of registration.
 

How to handle mainland social security?

After obtaining Hong Kong permanent residency while retaining mainland household registration, the mainland Identity Card can be used normally. If there are mainland enterprises that continue to pay social security, the applicant's social security contributions, benefits, retirement pensions, etc., will be the same as those of normal mainland residents and will not be affected by the Hong Kong permanent residency status.

Obtaining Hong Kong permanent residency, canceling mainland household registration, and applying for a Home Return Permit is equivalent to settling abroad, which leads to two situations.

1.If contributions are less than 15 years: you can apply for a refund or retain the account. The balance in the personal social security account can be refunded to the insured person, while ending the pension insurance relationship, but the insured person can also choose to retain the account.

2.If contributions are 15 years or more: the insured person can return to mainland China to retire and receive a pension upon reaching retirement age, and then live in Hong Kong.

By obtaining Hong Kong resident status through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, Study Scheme, Entrepreneur Scheme, etc., and converting to permanent residency after 7 years, as long as you do not apply for a Home Return Permit, you can retain your mainland household registration while holding Hong Kong permanent residency. Whether to apply for a Home Return Permit depends on personal needs.