HKSAR Passport
Encyclopedia
Basic Law
The term basic law is used in some places as an alternative to "constitution", implying it is a temporary but necessary measure without formal enactment of constitution. A basic law is either a codified constitution, or in countries with uncodified constitutions, a law given to have constitution...
of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, since the transfer of sovereignty on 1 July 1997, the passport has been issued by the Immigration Department
Immigration Department (Hong Kong)
The Immigration Department of the Government of Hong Kong is responsible for immigration control of Hong Kong. After the People's Republic of China assumed sovereignty of the territory in July 1997, Hong Kong's immigration system remained largely unchanged from its British predecessor model...
of the Government of Hong Kong
Government of Hong Kong
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, commonly the Hong Kong Government, is led by the Chief Executive as Head of the Government, who is also the head of the Hong Kong SAR...
under the authorization of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China. As the official languages of Hong Kong are Chinese and English, the passport is printed bilingually in both Chinese (traditional characters) and English.
Name
In English, the passport is sometimes referred to by its long-form name which appears on the cover (i.e. the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region People's Republic of China passport – a literal translation of the Chinese title 中華人民共和國香港特別行政區護照). Alternatively, the passport is commonly referred to as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport (the Hong Kong legislative ordinance concerning the passport is titled the "Hong Kong Special Administrative RegionPassports Ordinance (Chapter 539)", the Hong Kong SAR passport, the HKSAR passport or the Hong Kong passport.
Although a number of foreign authorities may refer to Hong Kong SAR passports as "Hong Kong passports" – "香港護照" in Chinese – few Hong Kong people do, in recognition of the historical complexity and range of travel documents for Hong Kong residents. Most frequently, the Hong Kong SAR passport is known as "特區護照" – a literal translation in English would be "SAR passport".
The authorities of the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
(commonly known as "Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
") refer to the Hong Kong SAR passport as the "Hong Kong passport" because the ROC government tries to avoid references to the political status of Hong Kong as an SAR of the People's Republic of China.
The Brazilian Consulate-General in Hong Kong uses the term "Hong Kong passport" in reference to both the Hong Kong SAR and British National (Overseas)
British National (Overseas)
British National , commonly known as BN, is one of the major classes of British nationality under British nationality law. Holders of this nationality are British nationals and Commonwealth citizens, but not British Citizens...
passports.
Historical background
The issuing of Hong Kong SAR passports began on 1 July 1997, following the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China.PRC citizens who have right of abode
Right of abode
The right of abode is an individual's freedom from immigration control in a particular country. A person who has the right of abode in a country does not need permission from the government to enter the country and can live and work there without restriction....
in the HKSAR and who hold Hong Kong permanent resident identity cards, whether or not they are holders of British National (Overseas)
British National (Overseas)
British National , commonly known as BN, is one of the major classes of British nationality under British nationality law. Holders of this nationality are British nationals and Commonwealth citizens, but not British Citizens...
passport or Hong Kong Certificate of Identity
Hong Kong Certificate of Identity
The Hong Kong Certificate of Identity was a formal travel document and passport, issued by the Hong Kong Government's Immigration Department until June 30, 1997...
or other travel documents, are eligible to apply for the Hong Kong SAR passport. Note that acquisition of British citizenship in the British Nationality Selection Scheme
British Nationality Selection Scheme
The British Nationality Selection Scheme was a process used to grant British citizenship to selected persons in Hong Kong between 1990 and 1997.-Basis of the scheme:...
itself does not affect the eligibility for a HKSAR passport. Nor does the holding of any foreign passport itself affect the eligibility for a HKSAR passport, provided that one remains a PRC citizen.
Under Hong Kong Basic Law
Hong Kong Basic Law
The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, or simply Hong Kong Basic Law, serves as the constitutional document of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China...
, the Government of Hong Kong
Government of Hong Kong
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, commonly the Hong Kong Government, is led by the Chief Executive as Head of the Government, who is also the head of the Hong Kong SAR...
is responsible for immigration control in the territory. The Hong Kong SAR passport is issued by the Immigration Department of Hong Kong under the authorisation of the Central People's Government (or the State Council). Its design is distinct from other types of People's Republic of China passport
People's Republic of China passport
The People's Republic of China passport , commonly referred to as the Chinese passport, is the passport issued to citizens of the People's Republic of China for international travel....
s and the holders enjoy visa-free entry to more countries than other PRC passports.
Hong Kong official travel documents prior to 1997 included the Hong Kong Certificate of Identity
Hong Kong Certificate of Identity
The Hong Kong Certificate of Identity was a formal travel document and passport, issued by the Hong Kong Government's Immigration Department until June 30, 1997...
(CI), British Dependent Territories Citizen (BDTC), British National (Overseas)
British National (Overseas)
British National , commonly known as BN, is one of the major classes of British nationality under British nationality law. Holders of this nationality are British nationals and Commonwealth citizens, but not British Citizens...
(BN(O)) and British Citizen (BC) passports. After 1997, BN(O) and BC passports are still valid but CIs and BDTC passports are no longer in use.
Eligibility and application
The eligibility criteria for application for a Hong Kong SAR passport include:- Chinese citizenshipNationality Law of the People's Republic of ChinaThe Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China regulates citizenship in the People's Republic of China . Such citizenship is obtained by birth when at least one parent is of Chinese nationality or by naturalization....
- Permanent residency in the Hong Kong SAR
- A valid Hong Kong permanent identity card.
Applications can be made online, in person or by post to the Immigration Department
Immigration Department (Hong Kong)
The Immigration Department of the Government of Hong Kong is responsible for immigration control of Hong Kong. After the People's Republic of China assumed sovereignty of the territory in July 1997, Hong Kong's immigration system remained largely unchanged from its British predecessor model...
in Hong Kong, though in all cases a personal interview is necessary, either at submission or at collection of the passport. Overseas applications can also be submitted to a PRC foreign mission for forwarding to the Immigration Department
Immigration Department (Hong Kong)
The Immigration Department of the Government of Hong Kong is responsible for immigration control of Hong Kong. After the People's Republic of China assumed sovereignty of the territory in July 1997, Hong Kong's immigration system remained largely unchanged from its British predecessor model...
in Hong Kong, though extra consular fees may be levied. Documents to be enclosed with applications are:
- The application form (ID843), duly completed and signed
- Photo copy of Hong Kong permanent identity card (only the side with the holder's personal particulars and photograph);
- One recent colour photograph (please see photograph requirements);
- A completed mailing label (ID839).
Fees as of 19 June 2006:
- For persons 16 years of age or over (Validity of passport is 10 years) – 32 pages — HK$ 370
- For persons under 16 years of age (Validity of passport is 5 years) – 32 pages — HK$ 185
In comparison with the British National (Overseas) passport
British passport
British passports may be issued to people holding any of the various forms of British nationality, and are used as evidence of the bearer's nationality and immigration status within the United Kingdom or the issuing state/territory.-Issuing:...
, the Hong Kong SAR passport's application fees are much lower. When applying in Hong Kong, a British National (Overseas) passport costs £128 (32 pages), £154.50 (48 pages) and £81.50 (child) – this equates to HK$1536, HK$1854 and HK$978 respectively. In comparison with other Chinese passports, when applying from Hong Kong, the People's Republic of China passport
People's Republic of China passport
The People's Republic of China passport , commonly referred to as the Chinese passport, is the passport issued to citizens of the People's Republic of China for international travel....
costs HK$430, whilst the Macao SAR passport costs MOP370/HK$359.
Illegal transfer of a Hong Kong SAR passport is a criminal offence in Hong Kong, punishable with a maximum imprisonment for 14 years and a maximum fine of HK$150,000 (for details see section 42 of the Immigration Ordinance, Cap. 115 of the Laws of Hong Kong).
Physical appearance
- This section is about the current biometric passport version. For a description of previous versions, see Physical features of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passportPhysical features of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passportSince the issuing of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport commenced on 1 July 1997 following the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong, the passport has undergone three different series, each time with a change in its physical features in order to improve its security...
.
In February 2007, the first ePassport was introduced. The design conforms with the document design recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization
International Civil Aviation Organization
The International Civil Aviation Organization , pronounced , , is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth...
. The new ePassport featured in the 2008 Stockholm Challenge Event and was a finalist for the Stockholm Challenge Award in the Public Administration categeory. The Hong Kong SAR ePassport design was praised on account of the "multiple state-of-the-art technologies [which] are seamlessly integrated in the sophisticated Electronic Passport System (e-Passport System)".
The cover of the new biometric passport remains essentially the same as that of previous versions, with the addition of the biometric passport
Biometric passport
A biometric passport, also known as an e-passport or ePassport, is a combined paper and electronic passport that contains biometric information that can be used to authenticate the identity of travelers...
logo at the bottom.
Inside front cover
On the inner front cover of the passport, below the national emblem of the People's Republic of China and above a picture of the Great Wall of ChinaGreat Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in northern China, built originally to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various nomadic groups...
are the following words:
On the reverse of the polycarbonate identification page insert is a blue image with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region emblem in the centre. At the top is a pattern of the words "中華人民共和國香港特別行政區 HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA". At the bottom is a picture of Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour is a natural landform harbour situated between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula in Hong Kong. The harbour's deep, sheltered waters and strategic location on the South China Sea were instrumental in Hong Kong's establishment as a British colony and its subsequent...
behind an outline of the Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in northern China, built originally to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various nomadic groups...
.
Identification page
Polycarbonate
PolycarbonatePhysical PropertiesDensity 1.20–1.22 g/cm3Abbe number 34.0Refractive index 1.584–1.586FlammabilityV0-V2Limiting oxygen index25–27%Water absorption – Equilibrium0.16–0.35%Water absorption – over 24 hours0.1%...
insert between the front cover and the first page.
The ePassport symbol appears in the top left corner of the page on the left hand side of the word "PASSPORT".
The background of the data section is an image of the Tsing Ma Bridge
Tsing Ma Bridge
The Tsing Ma Bridge is a bridge in Hong Kong. It is the world's seventh-longest span suspension bridge, and was the second longest at time of completion. The bridge was named after two of the islands at its ends, namely Tsing Yi and Ma Wan . It has two decks and carries both road and rail...
, whilst the background of the machine readable zone is an image of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is one of the two major convention and exhibition venues in Hong Kong, along with AsiaWorld-Expo. It is located in Wan Chai North, Hong Kong Island. Built along the Victoria Harbour, it is linked by covered walkways to nearby hotels and commercial...
next to the Golden Bauhinia Square
Golden Bauhinia Square
The Golden Bauhinia Square is an open area in Wan Chai North, Hong Kong. The square was named after the giant statue of a golden Bauhinia blakeana at the centre of the area, situated outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where the ceremonies for the handover of Hong Kong and the...
.
Using laser engraving
Laser engraving
Laser engraving, or laser marking, is the practice of using lasers to engrave or mark an object. The technique does not involve the use of inks, nor does it involve tool bits which contact the engraving surface and wear out...
technology, the holder's photograph is printed in black and white, with the holder's Hong Kong permanent identity card number printed vertically on the right-hand side of the portrait photograph. The passport is also machine readable, designed for immigration control points equipped with passport scanners. Details which are printed include:
- Travel document type: P (Passport)
- Code of Issuing State: CHN (People's Republic of China)
- Passport number
- Surname and Given Names: in Traditional Chinese and English
- Nationality: "CHINESE" (The nationality code is CHN as shown in the machine readable zoneMachine-readable passportA Machine Readable Passport is a travel document where the data on the identity page is encoded in optical character recognition format. Many countries began to issue machine readable travel documents in the 1980s....
) - Sex: denoted as "M" (male) or "F" (female)
- Place of birth: if born in China, name of province/autonomous region/municipality/special administrative region; if born in other countries, name of country
- Dates of birth, issuance and expiry: displayed in the format DD-MMM-YY
- Authority (of issue): "IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION" (in Traditional Chinese and English)
As a type of PRC passport, the code "CHN" (People's Republic of China) is used for both issuing state and nationality. This is the same as all other types of PRC passport, including the Macau SAR passport. (It is worth noting that during the British colonial era, a Hong Kong British Dependent Territories Citizen passport used "HKG" as the code of the issuing state and "GBD" as the nationality code).
Instead of printing the holder's signature on the identification/observation pages, space is reserved on the last page of the passport below the emergency contact information for the holder to complete his/her signature.
Security features
Enveloping the top right hand corner of the portrait photograph, and the surname, given names and nationality data sections is a kinegram, consisting of an amalgamation of the Chinese and Hong Kong flags, and the letters "HK香港".In the middle of the identification page is a multiple laser image consisting of two circles: in the left hand circle is another image of the holder's portrait photograph, at the bottom of which is the passport number; in the right hand circle is the Hong Kong regional flag (the red and white reverse gradually as the viewing angle is changed).
The Hong Kong permanent identity card number is printed at the bottom right hand side of the portrait photograph as a trapezium shape which gradually widens towards the bottom.
The three waves at the bottom of the portrait photograph, as well as the straight line separating the machine readable zone from the rest of the data page and the vertical straight line of the right hand column of Tsing Ma Bridge
Tsing Ma Bridge
The Tsing Ma Bridge is a bridge in Hong Kong. It is the world's seventh-longest span suspension bridge, and was the second longest at time of completion. The bridge was named after two of the islands at its ends, namely Tsing Yi and Ma Wan . It has two decks and carries both road and rail...
, contains micro-lettering of the holder's English name, Hong Kong permanent identity card number and date of birth.
The background of the identification page changes under ultraviolet light, when a scene of the Tsing Ma Bridge
Tsing Ma Bridge
The Tsing Ma Bridge is a bridge in Hong Kong. It is the world's seventh-longest span suspension bridge, and was the second longest at time of completion. The bridge was named after two of the islands at its ends, namely Tsing Yi and Ma Wan . It has two decks and carries both road and rail...
with nighttime fireworks becomes visible. The identification page also contains an engraving of a bauhinia, but with certain lines replaced by microlettering consisting of "HKSAR".
Inner pages
All the inner pages have seasonal flowers at the side, and different "華" characters in the centre (in English this means "Chinese"). As well as being printed in red at the bottom of each page, the passport number is perforated through the top section of all the odd-numbered pages. At the bottom of each page is a gold outline of the Great Wall of ChinaGreat Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in northern China, built originally to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various nomadic groups...
. A seasonal flower is printed across the middle of even-numbered and odd-numbered pages. When two pages are rolled up such that they meet each other, the seasonal flower on the right margin of odd-numbered page matches up with the flower on the left margin of the even-numbered page (e.g. pages 11 and 14), forming a complete bunch of flowers.
The observations page, located on page 1, contains a photograph of the holder. If the passport is issued through a Chinese foreign mission, the embassy/consulate will make an endorsement in the observations section stating so.
The explanatory notes on the passport are found on the second last page of the passport:
The last page of the passport has a section to be filled in by the holder with contact information in the event of an emergency, as well as a space for the holder to complete his/her signature.
Contactless biometric data chip
Below is information included in the contactless chip of the passport:- Name in Chinese and English
- Nationality (i.e. Chinese)
- Sex
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Hong Kong permanent identity card number
- Facial image
- Passport number
- Date of issue
- Date of expiry
- Issuing authority (i.e. Immigration Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region)
Fingerprints and iris scans are not included.
The explanation listed on the back cover of the passport, which contains the chip, is as follows:
Mainland China
The Hong Kong SAR passport is not accepted for travel between Hong Kong and Mainland China. Instead, those who are eligible for a Hong Kong SAR passport are also eligible to apply for a Home Return PermitHome Return Permit
A ‘Home Return Permit’ , also referred to as a ‘Home Visit Permit’ or ‘China Back Home Pass’ , is the colloquial name for the national identity document officially known as the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents issued to PRC citizens who are permanent residents of Hong Kong...
via the Public Security Bureau
Public Security Bureau
In the People's Republic of China, a public security bureau refers to the government offices while the smaller offices are called Police posts which are similar in concept to the Japanese Kōban system) present in each province and municipality that handles policing , public security, and...
of Guangdong Province (represented in Hong Kong by the China Travel Service). The issuing of such a Permit is entirely at the discretion of the PSB, and so the possession of a Hong Kong SAR passport does not necessarily guarantee the issuing of a Home Return Permit.
Macao SAR
The Hong Kong SAR passport is only accepted as a valid travel document for a maximum visa exempt stay of 7 days when the holder is transiting through Macao to a third country. Otherwise, a Hong Kong permanent identity card should be used, enabling visa-free entry for a maximum stay of one year.Taiwan
Hong Kong SAR passport holders who have either visited Taiwan previously or who were born in Hong Kong or MacaoMação
Mação is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 400.0 km² and a total population of 7,763 inhabitants.The municipality is composed of eight parishes, and is located in the Santarém District....
are able to obtain a 30 day entry permit online at the website of the National Immigration Agency
National Immigration Agency
National Immigration Agency or ' is the statutory agency under the Ministry of Interior which is responsible for immigration, entry and exit security, border services, citizenship, visas, and registration of foreigners transiting the Free Area of the Republic of China. The agency is headed by the...
which can be used for a single entry to Taiwan within three months of the application date. Once the permit has been granted online, the applicant must print it out to be presented at the border checkpoint
Border checkpoint
A border checkpoint is a place, generally between two countries, where travellers and/or goods are inspected. Authorization often is required to enter a country through its borders. Access-controlled borders often have a limited number of checkpoints where they can be crossed without legal...
with a Hong Kong SAR passport with at least 6 months' validity and a return flight/ferry ticket.
Hong Kong SAR passport holders can also obtain a 30 day entry permit upon arrival in Taiwan at the border checkpoint
Border checkpoint
A border checkpoint is a place, generally between two countries, where travellers and/or goods are inspected. Authorization often is required to enter a country through its borders. Access-controlled borders often have a limited number of checkpoints where they can be crossed without legal...
on presentation of their Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card as well as their Hong Kong SAR or British National (Overseas) passport, as long as they were born in Hong Kong. A fee of NT$300 is incurred for each application.
Alternatively, they can apply for an entry visa in advance through the Chung Hwa Travel Service
Chung Hwa Travel Service
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office is a de facto mission of the Republic of China in Hong Kong. The General Manager of Chung Hwa Travel Service is also the Director of the Hong Kong Affairs Bureau in the Mainland Affairs Council of the Executive Yuan.The founding director of the office was...
in Hong Kong at a cost of HK$75, which is valid for 3 months from the date of issuance, permitting the holder to enter Taiwan twice, each time for a maximum stay of 30 days.
Overseas
Hong Kong SAR passport holders can enter many countries visa-free, including all member states of the European UnionEuropean Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, Singapore, South Africa and South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. The official figure of the Hong Kong Immigration Department states that 143 countries and territories grant Hong Kong SAR passport holders either visa-free or visa-on-arrival treatment as of 25 May 2011.
With regards to Schengen Agreement
Schengen Agreement
The Schengen Agreement is a treaty signed on 14 June 1985 near the town of Schengen in Luxembourg, between five of the ten member states of the European Economic Community. It was supplemented by the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement 5 years later...
signatory states, Hong Kong SAR passport holders are also permitted to take up a paid activity (e.g. work) visa-free for a maximum of 90 days within a 180 day period in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Denmark, Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, Luxembourg, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, Norway, Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
and Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. In Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, another Schengen signatory state, Hong Kong SAR passport holders are able to exercise a "gainful occupation" for a maximum of 8 days during their 90 days visa-exempt stay without the need to apply for a special work visa. However, this 8 day visa exemption excludes gainful occupation in the primary or secondary construction industry, civil engineering, catering and hotel services, industrial and private cleaning industry, surveillance and security services and sex industry. Alternatively, if in possession of a long term residence permit issued by any other Schengen member state, the Hong Kong SAR passport holder can exercise a gainful occupation for up to 3 months visa-free in Switzerland (without the industry-specific restrictions listed in the 8 day visa exemption).
As Chinese citizens, those traveling on Hong Kong SAR passports are entitled to the consular protection offered by the People's Republic of China government while overseas. However, it is not uncommon for PRC authorities overseas to offer consular assistance to PRC citizens of Hong Kong origin traveling on their British National (Overseas) passport
British National (Overseas) passport
The British National passport is a British passport for the holders of the nationality British National . It is mainly held by residents of Hong Kong from 1987.-Physical appearance:...
s, as their British nationality is not recognised by the Chinese government. See also British consular protection enjoyed by BN(O) passport holders outside the PRC and the UK
British consular protection enjoyed by BN(O) passport holders outside the PRC and the UK
For information regarding whether BN passport holders can enjoy British consular protection inside the mainland China, please refer to the article Home Return Permit....
.
Hong Kong SAR passport holders are also able to enjoy travel convenience under some bilateral agreements concluded between the PRC and other countries (on PRC passports in general). For example, holders of PRC passport and that of HKSAR passport are exempt from the fee for Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
ese tourist visas.
Visa waiver reciprocity
In some cases, Hong Kong SAR passport holders are subject to visa requirements to countries whose nationals can enter Hong Kong visa-free. An example is the United States and IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
: American and Indian nationals can enter Hong Kong visa-free for a maximum period of 90 and 14 days respectively, though Hong Kong SAR passport holders are required to apply for a visa for any visit the US and India.
Also, Hong Kong SAR passport holders may be given less favourable visa-free conditions by certain countries, compared to the conditions offered by Hong Kong to those countries' nationals. For example, while Hong Kong gives free-of-charge visa-free entry to Australian nationals without the need to apply for any visa or authorisation prior to arrival, Australia requires Hong Kong SAR passport holders to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority
Electronic Travel Authority
Electronic visas are issued by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to some foreign nationals for entry into Australia. Unlike ordinary visas, when electronic visas are issued, no stamp or other documentation is affixed inside the traveller's passport; instead, the computer-based system...
authorisation prior to arrival and to pay AUS$20 for each online authorisation (some travel agents may charge an extra processing fee).
Conversely, in some situations, Hong Kong SAR passport holders enjoy better visa waiver conditions to countries whose nationals are subject to stricter conditions entering Hong Kong. Hong Kong SAR passport holders enjoy a visa-free stay of up to 90 days to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
, Croatia and Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
, although nationals of these countries are only given a maximum visa-free stay of 14 days in Hong Kong.
In some cases, Hong Kong SAR passport holders are offered visa-free access to countries whose nationals are unable to travel to Hong Kong visa-free for any length of time. An example is Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
, to which Hong Kong SAR passport holders can travel visa-free for a maximum period of 30 day. However, Sri Lankans must apply for a visa to travel to Hong Kong.
Future visa-free access
The Hong Kong SAR passport is ineligible for the Visa Waiver ProgramVisa Waiver Program
The Visa Waiver Program is a program of the United States Government which allows citizens of specific countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa. The program applies to the 50 U.S. states as well as the U.S...
of the United States at present. In the fiscal year of 2010, the adjusted visa refusal rate for US B-visas for HKSAR passports was 5.4%, which is higher than the 3% requirement for VWP qualification. Should the Hong Kong SAR passport visa refusal rate drop below the 3% requirement, and the US authorities judge Hong Kong to have co-operated sufficiently in border control and law enforcement intelligence exchange, it is possible that the Hong Kong SAR passport will qualify for the Visa Waiver Program in the future. It is worth noting that the refusal rate for British National (Overseas) passports was 5.0% in the same year. HKSAR passports have the nationality code HNK on US visas, while that for BN(O) passports is HOKO.
Comparison of visa-free access
The Immigration DepartmentImmigration Department (Hong Kong)
The Immigration Department of the Government of Hong Kong is responsible for immigration control of Hong Kong. After the People's Republic of China assumed sovereignty of the territory in July 1997, Hong Kong's immigration system remained largely unchanged from its British predecessor model...
cites the number of countries and territories offering visa-free access for Hong Kong SAR passport holders as 143 (this figure excludes countries and territories not officially recognised by the People's Republic of China, e.g. Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
and Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
). The British Consulate-General in Hong Kong states 119 as the number of countries and territories providing visa-free access to British National (Overseas) passport holders.
Hong Kong residents staying in the United Kingdom for 6 months or more and entering on a British National (Overseas) passport
British National (Overseas) passport
The British National passport is a British passport for the holders of the nationality British National . It is mainly held by residents of Hong Kong from 1987.-Physical appearance:...
are exempt from having to register with the police, whilst entry on a Hong Kong SAR passport does not exempt them from this administrative procedure, with a police registration fee of £34 payable. In this sense, Hong Kong SAR passports are treated in the same way as ordinary Chinese passports. For travel to Dominica
Dominica
Dominica , officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island nation in the Lesser Antilles region of the Caribbean Sea, south-southeast of Guadeloupe and northwest of Martinique. Its size is and the highest point in the country is Morne Diablotins, which has an elevation of . The Commonwealth...
, Grenada and Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
, entry on a British National (Overseas) passport permits a longer visa-free stay than on a HKSAR passport – 6 months compared to 21 days, 6 months compared to 3 months, and 3 months compared to 30 days respectively. Whilst entry on a HKSAR passport to Nauru
Nauru
Nauru , officially the Republic of Nauru and formerly known as Pleasant Island, is an island country in Micronesia in the South Pacific. Its nearest neighbour is Banaba Island in Kiribati, to the east. Nauru is the world's smallest republic, covering just...
requires a visa to be obtained in advance, a BN(O) passport holder can obtain a 30 day visa on arrival free of charge.
However, Hong Kong SAR passport holders enjoy better visa-free access to Australia than British National (Overseas) passport
British passport
British passports may be issued to people holding any of the various forms of British nationality, and are used as evidence of the bearer's nationality and immigration status within the United Kingdom or the issuing state/territory.-Issuing:...
s. Whilst both passports are eligible for the Electronic Travel Authority
Electronic Travel Authority
Electronic visas are issued by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to some foreign nationals for entry into Australia. Unlike ordinary visas, when electronic visas are issued, no stamp or other documentation is affixed inside the traveller's passport; instead, the computer-based system...
scheme, BN(O) passport holders can only apply for an ETA in person at an Australian visa office or through a travel agent/airline, whilst Hong Kong SAR passport holders can apply online at the ETA official website. Entry to Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
on a HKSAR passport permits a visa-free stay of 30 days whilst on a BN(O) passport a 30 day visa must be purchased on arrival at a cost of USD25. Similarly, HKSAR passport holders are eligible to obtain a visa on arrival in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
and the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
, whilst BN(O) passport holders are ineligible.
In comparison with other Chinese passports, the Hong Kong SAR passport provides considerably more visa-free access than the ordinary People's Republic of China passport, the Macao Special Administrative Region passport and the Republic of China passport
Republic of China passport
The Republic of China passport is the national passport issued to nationals of the Republic of China with household registration in the Taiwan Area and certain Overseas Chinese...
(the latter is often unrecognised as a travel document).
Working holiday visas
As a result of bilateral working holiday visaWorking holiday visa
A working holiday visa is a travel permit which allows travellers to undertake employment in the country issuing the visa for the purpose of supplementing their travel funds....
agreements made between the Government of Hong Kong
Government of Hong Kong
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, commonly the Hong Kong Government, is led by the Chief Executive as Head of the Government, who is also the head of the Hong Kong SAR...
and a number of other countries, Hong Kong SAR passport holders aged between 18 and 30 are eligible to apply for working holiday visas to Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. These visas allow their holders to spend a maximum of 12 months in the foreign country with the primary purpose of travelling, but also permitting supplementary short-term employment (and for some countries (e.g. South Korea), short-term study may in addition be allowed). On the basis of reciprocity, Australian, Canadian, German, Irish, Japanese, New Zealand and South Korean nationals are also able to apply for working holiday visas in Hong Kong under similar conditions.
Lai Changxing Incident
Lai ChangxingLai Changxing
Lai Changxing began as a Chinese businessman and entrepreneur from Jinjiang, Fujian, People's Republic of China. He was the founder and Chairman of the lucrative Yuanhua Group in the Special Economic Zone of Xiamen. At his height he has been credited with converting China from communism to...
, the suspect of a large smuggling and corruption scandal in Mainland China, used a HKSAR passport to enter Canada as a tourist in 1999. His HKSAR passport and Hong Kong permanent residency
Hong Kong Identity Card
The Hong Kong Identity Card is an official identity document issued by the Immigration Department of Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card is a class of HKID issued to Hong Kong residents who have the right of abode in Hong Kong SAR. According to the Registration of Persons Ordinance...
were revoked by the Hong Kong Government in 2002 on the grounds that he had obtained the residency by dishonest means.
"Place of birth" in HKSAR passports
On 16 April 2008, the Court of First Instance of the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region decided in an open court to public in the case of Aziz Akbar Butt v Director of Immigration (HCAL32-2007). The Applicant, Aziz Akbar Butt, argued that for HKSAR passport holders born outside the PRC, Hong Kong and Macao, it is not necessary for the Director of Immigration to label their "place of birth" as stated in the HKSAR passport to be the COUNTRY/STATE of birth. Rather, the city or province of birth may suffice. Aziz Akbar Butt, born in Pakistan and being a Hong Kong permanent resident, became a PRC citizen of Hong Kong on 8 January 2007, and holds a HKSAR passport. He claimed to have problems travelling to several countries because of the fact that his HKSAR passport states "Pakistan" (i.e. his country of birth) instead of 'Karachi' or "Sindh" (i.e. his specific place of birth within Pakistan) as his "place of birth". The Director of Immigration, on the other hand, asserted that it is in accordance with law and ICAO standards and in accordance with mainland passport that the "country of birth" should be specified for holders of the HKSAR passport born outside the PRC, Hong Kong and Macao.The Court of First Instance of the High Court decided that the Director of Immigration was wrong in using a policy to insert the country of birth as the "place of birth" in the applicant's passport in this instance.
http://legalref.judiciary.gov.hk/lrs/common/search/search_result_detail_frame.jsp?DIS=61035&QS=%2B&TP=JU
As a result of this court decision, the Director of Immigration cancelled the passport previously issued to Butt, and replaced it with a new passport at no cost, with his place of birth stated as "SINDH".
See also
- British nationality law and Hong KongBritish nationality law and Hong KongBritish nationality law as it pertains to Hong Kong has been unusual ever since Hong Kong became a British colony in 1842. From its beginning as a sparsely populated trading port to today's cosmopolitan international financial centre of over seven million people, the territory has attracted...
- British Overseas Territories CitizenBritish Overseas Territories citizenThe status of British Overseas Territories citizen relates to persons holding British nationality by virtue of a connection with a British Overseas Territory.-British Nationality Act 1981:...
- Exit & Entry Permit (Republic of China)
- Hong Kong Document of Identity for Visa Purposes
- Hong Kong Re-entry PermitHong Kong Re-entry PermitHong Kong Re-entry Permit are issued to Hong Kong residents by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for travel to the mainland China and Macau Special Administrative Region.-Eligibility:...
- Nationality Law of the People's Republic of ChinaNationality Law of the People's Republic of ChinaThe Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China regulates citizenship in the People's Republic of China . Such citizenship is obtained by birth when at least one parent is of Chinese nationality or by naturalization....
- Taiwan Compatriot Entry Permit
- Visa requirements for Chinese citizens of Hong KongVisa requirements for Chinese citizens of Hong KongAs a result of both bilateral visa abolition agreements and unilateral decisions to grant visa exemptions , Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders enjoy visa exemptions and simplified visa procedures to a large number of destinations worldwide...