Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport (Chinese: 香港特別行政區護照) is the official international travel document issued to Chinese citizen with the right of abode in the HKSAR and are holding Hong Kong permanent identity cards.

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The Cover of HKSAR Passport

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Inside of the HKSAR Passport

History

The issuance of Hong Kong SAR Passports began on 1 July 1997, following the transfer of sovereignty over the territory from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China. (For more information, see Transfer of the sovereignty of Hong Kong).

Chinese citizens with the right of abode (ROA) in the HKSAR and are holding Hong Kong permanent identity cards, whether or not they are holders of the BNO or Hong Kong Certificate of Identity or other travel documents, are eligible to apply for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport.

Under the Basic Law of Hong Kong, the SAR's government is responsible for immigration control. The document is issued by the Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and has a different status than other types of PRC passport issued to Mainland China, allowing Hong Kong residents visa-free entry to numerous countries.

Prior to 1997, citizens of Hong Kong used Certificate of Identity, British Dependent Territory Citizens' Passport as an official travel document.

Eligibility and Application

The eligible criteria to apply for a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR):

You are a Chinese citizen
Permanent residency of the HKSAR
Holder of a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card

Application can be made in person or by post to the immigration department in Hong Kong. Overseas appliations are also possible through the Chinese embassy/consulate-general or direct to the HKSAR Immigration Department by post. Documents to be enclosed are:

The application form (ID843), duly completed and signed

Photostat copy of your 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 from 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

Visa-free Access for HKSAR Passports

The following countries or regions have granted visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to HKSAR passport holders (as at 29th April 2006) [1]:

Asia

Taiwan Visa granted upon arrival

Europe

Denmark 90 days
Belgium 90 days
Lithuania 90 days
Iceland 90 days
Spain 90 days
Hungary 90 days
Liechtenstein 90 days
Greece 90 days
Croatia 90 days

Poland 90 days
Finland 90 days
France 90 days
Andorra 90 days
Latvia 90 days
United Kingdom 6 months
Bulgaria 90 days
Ireland 90 days
San Marino 90 days

Norway 90 days
Czech Republic 90 days
Netherlands 90 days
Slovenia 90 days
Slovakia 90 days
Austria 90 days
Italy 90 days
Cyprus 3 months
Estonia 90 days

Switzerland 90 days
Sweden 90 days
Portugal 90 days
Germany 90 days
Monaco 90 days
Luxembourg 90 days
Romania 90 days
Malta 3 months

America

Africa

Other

Australia Electronic Travel Authority

Usage and Restrictions

Visas are not required for Hong Kong SAR passport holders visiting countries such as the United Kingdom and other member states of the European Union, Japan and Canada.

According to the above website, Hong Kong passport holders are able to visit 136 countries without visa which exceeds the visa-free access of USA and Finland's passport. Both USA and Finland's passport, according to Henley's Global, have 130 visa-free access still now.

Hong Kong SAR Passport holders, are also able to enjoy the diplomatic treatment signed between the PRC and other nations. For example, Nepalese tourist visa are free for both Chinese and Hong Kong SAR passport holders.

As Hong Kong has abolished entry visa for many developing countries, the passport holders are eligible to be issued free visa at Jordanian ,Egyptian and Turkish borders while citizens of most nations need to pay around USD10-30 for the entry stamps.

The HKSAR passport holder is not yet eligible for the Visa Waiver Program of the United States of America. However, the HKSAR passport is eligible for the Electronic Travel Authority of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Just as for holders of British National (Overseas) passports, the authorities of Taiwan, or the Republic of China issue special landing permits for HKSAR passport holders visiting Taiwan. See Immigration arrangements for British passport holders from Hong Kong visiting the Republic of China (Taiwan) for more information.

As traveling to the mainland or to Macao would constitute internal travel, HKSAR passports are not used for that purpose. For such trips to the mainland, a Home Return Permit would be used. Normally, permanent residents of Hong Kong (regardless of nationality) will be granted visa-free entry into Macao on production of their Hong Kong Permanent Identity cards.

Illegal transfer of HKSAR passport(s) is a criminal offence. Any person who is guilty of the offence shall be liable to imprisonment for 14 years and to a fine of $150,000.

Types

There is currently one type of HKSAR passport. The standard passports have no biometric features.

The Hong Kong Immigration deparment is planning to introduce biometric passports in early 2007. Facial recognition markers are recommended by The International Civil Aviation Organization, but fingerprints and iris scans could be considered. Target for issue in 2007

Features

Cover

The HKSAR passport is blue in colour with the crest of the People's Republic of China. The word Passport in English and Chinese are found below the crest. Above are to words Hong Kong Special Administrative Region - People's Republic of China in Chinese and English.

Inside

The passport is designed for machine readable format for immigration control points equipped with machine reading facilities.

On the inside is the personal data page of the new passport is covered with a security laminate.

The logo of the HKSAR is printed in optically variable ink is placed to the right of the photograph. A larger bauhinia also appears to the left of the photograph.

The colour of the logos will change when viewed at an angle. A fluorescent bauhinia appears on the personal data page when viewed under ultra-violet light. The passport contains either have 32 or 48 pages.

Languages

The data page as well as the note requesting entry are printed in English and Chinese.

Passport Note

Most passports contain a note from the issuing state that is addressed to the authorities of all other states, identifying the bearer as a citizen of that state and requesting that he or she be allowed to pass and be treated according to international norms. The note inside of HKSAR passports states, in Traditional Chinese and English:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China requests all civil and military authorities of foreign countries to allow the bearer of this passport to pass freely and afford assistance in case of need.

Consular Protection

As PRC citizens, those traveling on HKSAR passports are entitled to the consular protection of PRC government officials overseas. However, it is not uncommon that the PRC authorities overseas offer consular assistance to PRC citizens of Hong Kong origin traveling on their British National (Overseas) passports. See also British consular protection enjoyed by BN(O) passport holders outside the PRC and the UK.

References

Legislative Council of Hong Kong briefing

A General Guide to HKSAR Passport