Hong Kong Visa Victory for LGBT Couples




Hong Kong will recognise same-sex partnerships when processing dependent visa applications from foreign couples.

The Government announced the news on Tuesday. 

It comes months after a court ruled in favour of British lesbian, QT, who argued that the Government’s refusal to recognise civil partnerships and gay marriages when authorising spousal visas was discriminatory.  QT had entered into a civil union back home in the UK but found on applying to join her partner in Hong Kong that her application was denied as her legal marital status was not recognised.

Homosexuality was legalised in Hong Kong in 1991, but LGBTQ campaigners say that little else has been done to advance homosexual rights and are encouraging the Government to continue to implement real change. 

Unsurprisingly, the decision to recognise overseas same-sex marriages and civil unions has been backed by many of the financial institutions operating in Hong Kong.  They’ve argued that the new policy will make it easier to recruit employees. 




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