Businesses united in online call for Hong Kong government to address same-sex dependant visa issue

An online petition asking the government to grant dependant visas to same-sex partners whose unions are registered overseas has gained momentum, drawing participation from an increasing number of organisations.

The signature campaign was activated in the midst of a High Court case in which a lesbian couple is challenging the Immigration Department's refusal to recognise same-sex relationships in handling visa applications.

In a little over a week, the drive, organised by the non-profit Community Business, has gained 1,270 signatures.

Community Business chief executive Fern Ngai said depriving same-sex couples of dependant visas would cost the city top talent and damage its reputation in the long run.

"This in itself is a business issue," she said. "Hong Kong companies compete on a global stage and will want access to top talent worldwide.

"This issue can stop talent from coming to Hong Kong, or cause some to contemplate leaving" if they failed to obtain dependant visas for their partners.

The petition was to gauge views from the local business community and Ngai said quite a few people had approached them saying how the same problem had affected them.