Hong Kong, officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China, is a vibrant and bustling city located on the eastern Pearl River Delta of China. With a population of over 7 million people, it is a very densely populated city. Hong Kong is a very popular destination for expats to travel and relocate to. What you may not know is that only Chinese nationals are able to obtain a Hong Kong Passport.
In this article, we’ll delve into the requirements for obtaining a Hong Kong SAR passport, the benefits, and more.
Despite its relatively small size, Hong Kong has a rich cultural heritage and a diverse population, with influences from both the East and the West. The city is known for its iconic skyline, towering skyscrapers, bustling street markets, delicious cuisine, and an endless array of activities and sites to keep you entertained. You can immerse yourself in the street scenes of Causeway Bay, take in unimaginable views of the harbor and neighboring islands from The Peak, visit Disneyland – one of the largest theme parks in Hong Kong, and behold the Tian Tan Buddha, one of the world’s tallest statues of a seated Buddha.
Hong Kong is also a major center for business and finance, and its economy is one of the most dynamic and competitive in the world. Whether you are interested in history, culture, food, shopping, or simply soaking up the energy of a dynamic city, Hong Kong is an exciting destination that has something to offer everyone.
Hong Kong Passport Benefits
The Hong Kong passport is strong, ranking 38th on the Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index. This ranking takes into account travel benefits, quality of life, and economic benefits.
Chinese nationals can apply for a passport from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Hong Kong passport holders can benefit from travel to 159 visa-free countries, such as the Schengen countries, including visa on arrival for 30 countries and electronic visas for 21 countries. You will be allowed to reside in Hong Kong indefinitely and enjoy the right to work and apply for public housing eligibility. You will also be granted access to basic education and healthcare.
Hong Kong Passport Cost
The cost of applying for a Hong Kong passport will vary based on the age of the applicant and the length of the passport.
For applicants aged 16 and older (valid for ten years):
- HK$370 (US$48) for a 32-page passport
- HK$460 (US$59) for a 48-page passport
For applicants under 16 (valid for five years):
- HK$185 (US$24) for a 32-page passport
- HK$230 (US$29.50) for a 48-page passport
You may also be required to pay additional fees if you choose to have your passport delivered to you and if the cheque or bank draft you submit is not drawn from a bank in the HKSAR or not in HKSAR currency.
There are different payment requirements depending on whether you choose to submit your application in person, by mail, or online. The following section will outline the requirements for each case.
Submitting directly to the Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions or the Immigration Divisions of the Mainland Offices
In this case, you must submit your application form with:
- A completed fee payment form
- A cheque or bank draft made payable to ‘The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’ (in Hong Kong or US dollars).
Mailing your application to the Immigration Department in Hong Kong
In this case, you must mail your application form with:
- A cheque or bank draft made payable to ‘The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’ (in Hong Kong or US dollars).
- A completed payment form (if you choose to collect your passport at the selected Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Mission or the Mainland Office)
Submitting your application online
You must pay the application fee when submitting the application using PPS or credit card (VISA, MasterCard, UnionPay, or JCB)
Submitting your application through the Immigration Department Mobile Application
You must pay the application fee when submitting the application by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, UnionPay, or JCB)
Submitting your application by post or drop-in
You must enclose a crossed cheque with your completed form.
Submitting your application through the Travel Document Submission Kiosk
You must pay the fee by EPS/FPS/Octopus at the kiosk.
Hong Kong Passport Eligibility
You can apply for a Hong Kong Passport if you fulfill each of the following requirements:
You are a Chinese citizen
- You are of Chinese descent
- You were born in Hong Kong or other parts of China
- You fulfill the criteria of Chinese nationality according to the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China
Note: If you have declared a change of nationality and are no longer officially a Chinese national, you are not eligible to apply for a Hong Kong passport.
You are a permanent resident of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)
- You are a Chinese citizen born in Hong Kong before or after the HKSAR was established.
- You are a Chinese citizen who has lived in Hong Kong for a continuous period of at least seven years before or after the HKSAR was established.
- You are of Chinese nationality born outside Hong Kong before or after the HKSAR was established to a parent who, at the time of your birth, was a Chinese citizen as either of the categories described above.
You hold a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card
Check out our article: Residency in Hong Kong: An Overview.
Application Process
For individuals applying from outside of Hong Kong
You must submit your application through your nearest Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Mission or the Immigration Divisions of the Mainland Offices.
Alternatively, you can mail your application directly to the Immigration Department in Hong Kong. For this option, you will need to present the original supporting documents and collect your passport in person from the Travel Documents (Issue) Section in Hong Kong, the selected Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions, or the Mainland Offices.
If you are able to collect your documents in person at the above-mentioned locations, you may be eligible to submit your application online or through the Hong Kong Immigration Department Mobile Application.
If the applicant is younger than 16 or is an unmarried person aged 16 or 17, the parent or legal guardian of the applicant must accompany them to collect their passport.
For individuals applying in Hong Kong
You can submit your application in person, through the Travel Document Submission Kiosk, by post, by drop-in, online, or through the Immigration Department Mobile Application. When applying in person, you must bring the original supporting documents for verification. If you submit your application online or by drop-in, you must bring copies of your original supporting documents.
In-person
If your previous HKSAR passport has been damaged or lost, or you want to amend the information in your passport, you will have to submit your application in person. You can make an appointment online, on the Immigration Department Mobile Application, or by phone. You are not required to make an application beforehand, but it does help to speed up the process, as walk-ins are assisted on a first-come-first-served basis.
Travel Document Submission Kiosk
Kiosks can be found at the Immigration Headquarters and at seven Immigration branch offices.
By post
Applications submitted by post must be sent to:
Travel Documents and Nationality (Application) Section
Immigration Department
4/F, Immigration Tower
7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai
Hong Kong
Internet/Immigration Department Mobile Application
For this application method, you must collect your new passport in person from the selected Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Mission, Immigration Office, or the Immigration Division of the Mainland Offices. A parent or legal guardian must accompany the applicant if they are younger than 16 or an unmarried individual aged 16 or 17.
Application forms
The relevant application forms can be downloaded from the Immigration Department of The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China website. You can also obtain them from the Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions or the Immigration Divisions of the Mainland Offices where you reside.
If you apply to replace a lost or damaged passport, you will need to complete an additional form. If you submit your forms by mail directly to the Immigration Department, you should include a completed “Fee payment form for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport to be collected outside Hong Kong” with your application.
Photograph requirements
Your application must include three recent photographs that:
- Are in color
- Have a white background
- Conform to the specifications laid out in this document.
Supporting documents
If you submit your application in person, you must bring the original supporting documents to your appointment. If you are mailing your application, you must include copies of the original supporting documents with your application forms, photographs, and proof of payment.
The supporting documents are outlined below.
For an applicant aged 16 or above
- Hong Kong permanent identity card or acknowledgment of application for a Hong Kong permanent identity card
- Your previous Hong Kong Document of Identity for Visa Purposes issued by the Hong Kong authorities (for application for a first-time passport, if applicable)
- Previous passport (if applying for a replacement passport)
Additional requirements for applicants aged 16 or 17
- Hong Kong identity card or valid travel document of a parent or legal guardian
- Birth certificate proving relationship to parent (not applicable if the applicant was born in Hong Kong)
- Court order proving custodial rights of legal guardian (if applicable)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Note: If the applicant is married, items 5 and 6 are not required. If the applicant was married in Hong Kong, the marriage certificate is not required.
Application for children under 16
- Child’s Hong Kong permanent identity card or acknowledgment of application for a Hong Kong permanent identity card
- Parent or legal guardian’s identity card or valid travel document
- Child’s birth certificate (not required if the child was born in Hong Kong)
- Court order proving custodial rights of legal guardian (if applicable)
- Previous HKSAR Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (if a first-time application for passport)
- Previous passport (if applying for a replacement)
Additional requirements for a first-time application from an individual born outside Hong Kong, Mainland Macau, or Taiwan
- Hong Kong identity card
- Birth certificate or official census paper
- Current travel documents or identification documents (if any)
- Parents’ Hong Kong permanent identity card(s) (if any)
- Parents’ travel documents showing any foreign status or citizenship at the time of the applicant’s birth (if any)
- Official documents issued by foreign authorities confirming the residential status of the applicant and their parents, including the date of acquisition of indefinite stay
- Official proof of applicant’s Chinese citizenship (if any)
Timeline
For applications submitted in person, it takes an average of five working days after receiving all necessary documents for the process to be completed. You can typically obtain your new HKSAR passport the next working day following the completion of the process by the Immigration Department. For applicants younger than 11 who do not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card, the process generally takes ten working days to complete.
For applications that aren’t submitted in person, it generally takes about seven or eight working days. For applications where passport information must be amended or the previous passport has been lost or damaged, the process may take longer.
With its diverse population, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant atmosphere, Hong Kong is a city that never fails to surprise and inspire its visitors. With so much to offer, obtaining a Hong Kong passport is a way to live in a city that offers exciting and unforgettable experiences.
Global Citizen Solutions: Who We Are and How We Can Help You
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique investment migration consultancy firm focused on finding the right residency or citizenship by investment program for individuals wishing to secure their future and become global citizens.
With offices in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Brazil, our multilingual team guides individuals and families from start to finish, providing expert advice considering freedom, mobility, taxation, and security. If you’re interested in obtaining a Hong Kong passport, contact us today to get your journey started.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Hong Kong Passport
1. How to renew a Hong Kong passport online?
To renew your Hong Kong passport online, you can submit your application online or through the Immigration Department Mobile Application. If you are applying to amend your personal information in your passport, or your previous passport has been lost, damaged, or is not available, you will not be able to submit your application for a new HKSAR passport online.
2. Can I renew my Hong Kong passport in the US?
Yes, you can renew your Hong Kong passport in the US. You will need to submit your application online, using the mobile application, or by mailing it directly to the Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Mission or the Immigration Division of the Mainland Offices in your area. Alternatively, you can submit your application by post directly to the Immigration Department in Hong Kong.
3. How to get a Hong Kong passport?
A person who is a Chinese citizen holding a valid permanent identity card of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and has the right of abode (ROA) in the HKSAR can apply for a Hong Kong SAR passport. You can submit your passport application from Hong Kong or overseas.
