Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport, formally the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region People’s Republic of China Passport, sometime abbreviated as Hong Kong SAR passport, HKSAR passport or Hong Kong passport, is a type of passport of the People’s Republic of China issued to PRC citizens who hold Hong Kong Identity Card with the right of abode in Hong Kong. The passport cannot be used as a travel document for entry into mainland China; the Home Return Permit serves this specific purpose.
History
The issuing of Hong Kong SAR passports began on 1 July 1997, following the Transfer of the sovereignty of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People’s Republic of China.
PRC citizens who have right of abode in the HKSAR and who hold Hong Kong permanent resident identity cards, whether or not they are holders of the British National (Overseas) or Hong Kong Hong Kong Certificate of Identity 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 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 the Basic Law of Hong Kong, the Government of Hong Kong is responsible for immigration control in the territory. The Hong Kong SAR passport is issued by the Immigration Department of Hong Kong under the authorization of the Central People’s Government (or the State Council). Its design is distinct from other types of People’s Republic of China passports and the holders enjoy visa-free entry to more countries than other PRC passport.
Hong Kong official travel documents prior to 1997 included the Hong Kong Certificate of Identity, British Dependent Territories citizens Passport, British National (Overseas) and British citizen passports. After 1997, BN(O) and BC passports are still valid but CIs and BDTCs are no longer in use.
Eligibility and application
The eligibility criteria for application for a HKSAR passport include:
Chinese citizenship
Permanent residency in the Hong Kong SAR
A valid Hong Kong permanent identity card.
Application can be made in person or by post to the immigration department in Hong Kong. Overseas applications are also possible through a PRC embassy or
consulate-general. Documents to be enclosed are:
1. The application form (ID843), duly completed and signed
2. Photo copy of Hong Kong permanent identity card (only the side with the holder’s personal particulars and photograph);
3. One recent color photograph (please see photograph requirements);
4. A completed mailing label (ID839).
Fees as of 19 June 2006:
1. For persons 16 years of age or over (Validity of passport is 10 years) – 32 pages — HK$ 370
2. For persons under 16 years of age (Validity of passport is 5 years) – 32 pages — HK$ 185
Usage and restrictions
Hong Kong SAR passport holders may enter many countries visa-free, including UK and other member states of the European Union, Japan and Canada.[2] Official figure of the Hong Kong Immigration Department states that 139 countries and territories grant Hong Kong SAR passport holders either visa-free or visa-on-arrival treatment as of 3 June 2009.[3]
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 Nepalese tourist visas.
As Hong Kong allows visa-free entry for travelers from many countries, countries like Jordan, Egypt and Turkey reciprocally waive the fee for entry stamps, ranging from US$10 to 30, for those who enter on an HKSAR passport.
On the other hand, when visiting Taiwan, Hong Kong permanent residents who are born in Hong Kong can have landing permits applied beforehand, or can apply for a landing permit upon arrival, if they can show their Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card and their HKSAR/BNO passport. While holders of most western passports can enter Taiwan visa-free. See Entry Permit of HK and Macau Residents to the Taiwan Area.
The Hong Kong SAR passport is ineligible for the Visa Waiver Program of the United States at present.[4] In fiscal year 2008, the adjusted visa refusal rate for US B-visas for HKSAR passports was 4.4%[5], which is higher than the 3% requirement for the VWP. It is worth noting that the refusal rate for the British National (Overseas) passports is 3.3% in the same year. HKSAR passports have the nationality code HNK on US visas, while that for BN(O) passports is HOKO.
As for the United Kingdom, student and work permit visas are free of charge for BN(O) passport holders but an application fee is charged for HKSAR passport holders.[6] The UK requires all PRC nationals residing in the UK for more than 6 months to register with the police. As HKSAR passports holders are always PRC nationals, an additional police registration fee of £34 is payable. In this sense HKSAR passports are treated in the same way as ordinary PRC passports. This registration is not required for BN(O) passport holders and many other nationals.[7][8]
As travelling to the mainland or Macau is considered an internal travel, HKSAR passports are not used for that purpose. For trips to the mainland, a Home Return Permit would be used. A permanent resident of Hong Kong (Chinese national or not) may enter Macau on a Hong Kong permanent resident identity card alone, and is generally allowed to stay up to one year.
Illegal transfer of HKSAR passport(s) is a criminal offence in Hong Kong, punishable with imprisonment for 14 years and to a fine of HK$150,000 (for details see section 42 of the Immigration Ordinance, Cap. 115 of the Laws of Hong Kong).[9]
Electronic passport
Inside back cover of the HKSAR e-Passport with contactless chip embedded. The electronic HKSAR Passport was introduced in February 2007.
Data included in the contactless chip of the passport[10]:
1. Name in Chinese and English
2. Nationality (i.e. Chinese)
3. Sex
4. Date of birth
5. Place of birth
6. Permanent identity card number
7. Facial image
8. Passport number
9. Date of issue
10. Date of expiry
11. Issuing authority (i.e. Immigration Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region)
12. Fingerprints and iris scans are not included.
The explanation from back cover for the chip is as follows:
- This passport contains sensitive electronics. For the best performance please do not bend, perforate this page or expose this passport to extreme temperatures or excess moisture.
- Do not stamp here
Previous versions of the passport
1. First Version (1997-2002)
The first version of the HKSAR Passport was issued from
1 July 1997 until 31 Dec 2002. It was then replaced by the second version passport.
2. Second Version (2003-2007)
Starting from 1 Jan 2003, the second version of the passport was introduced with enhanced security features. Optically variable ink was used to print the words “HKSAR” along the periphery of the photo and “IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION” of the “Issuing authority” column on the personal data page.