Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport - Eligibility and Application

Eligibility and Application

The eligibility criteria for application for a Hong Kong SAR passport include:

• Chinese citizenship
• 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 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 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, 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 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).