BEIJING - Those mainland citizens with at least one natural parent who first obtained a Hong Kong Identity Card prior to December 31, 1980, will be able to apply for Hong Kong residency from May 15, according to a circular published by the Ministry of Public Security on Friday.

Hong Kong residency applications can be obtained at the exit and entry administration departments of local public security organs where the applicant has registered their permanent residence, or hukou, the circular said.

Starting from April 1, 2011, public security organs across the nation began to hear Hong Kong residency applications according to the time when at least one of an applicant's parents obtained a Hong Kong ID.