HKSAR Passport

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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport (Traditional Chinese: 香港特別行政區護照) is the official international travel document issued to Chinese citizen who have the right of abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and hold Hong Kong permanent identity cards. The full name of the passport as it appears on the front cover is "Hong Kong Special Administrative Region People's Republic of China Passport" (Traditional Chinese: 中華人民共和國香港特別行政區護照).

Cover of the HKSAR e-Passport issued in 2007
Cover of the HKSAR e-Passport issued in 2007

Contents

[edit] History

The issuing of Hong Kong SAR Passports began on 1 July 1997, following the transfer of government 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, 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 Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport.

Under the Basic Law of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong SAR government is responsible for the immigration control of the SAR. The document is issued by the Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the authorisation of the Central People's Government (or the State Council), and is of a distinct type from other types of PRC passport issued to Chinese citizens who are not resident in Hong Kong or Macao, allowing Chinese citizens residing in Hong Kong visa-free entry to numerous countries.

Hong Kong official travel documents prior to 1997 included: Hong Kong Certificate of Identity, British Dependent Territories citizens Passport .

[edit] Eligibility and Application

The eligibility criteria for application for a HKSAR passport:

  • Chinese citizenship
  • Permanent residency of the HKSAR
  • A valid Hong Kong permanent identity card

See also who is eligible for a Hong Kong SAR passport [1].

Application can be made in person or by post to the immigration department in Hong Kong. Overseas applications 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

[edit] 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[2]. Hong Kong SAR passport holders are able to visit 134 countries & territories either visa-free or visa on arrival. [3]

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 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.

Just as for holders of British National (Overseas) passports, the authorities of Taiwan issue special landing permits for HKSAR passport holders visiting Taiwan. See Entry Permit of HK and Macao Residents (Republic of China on Taiwan)

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 in Hong Kong. Any person who is guilty of the offence shall be liable to imprisonment for 14 years and to a fine of HK$150,000.

[edit] Electronic Passport

The electronic HKSAR Passport will be introduced in February 2007. Application for an electronic passport starts on 5 Feb 2007.

Data included in the contactless chip of the passport[4]:

  • Name in Chinese and English
  • Nationality
  • Sex
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Permanent identity card number
  • Facial image
  • Passport number
  • Date of issue
  • Date of expiry
  • Issuing authority

Fingerprints and iris scans are not included.

The explanation from back cover for the chip is as follows:

  • 本護照含敏感的電子部件，為保持護照的最佳效能，請勿彎曲護照或在本頁打孔；切勿讓本護照接觸高低溫或受潮。
    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.
    請勿在此蓋印
    Do not stamp here

[edit] Previous Versions of the Passport

The Cover of 1st and 2nd Versions of the HKSAR Passport (1997-2007)
The Cover of 1st and 2nd Versions of the HKSAR Passport (1997-2007)
1st Version Personal Data Page (1997-2002)
1st Version Personal Data Page (1997-2002)

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.

Second Version (2003-2007)

Starting from 1 Jan 2003, the second version of the passport was introduced with enhanced security features. Optical 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.

[edit] Features

Cover

The cover of the HKSAR passport is dark blue in colour with the national emblem of the People's Republic of China in gold. The word Passport in Chinese and English are found below the crest. Above are the words Hong Kong Special Administrative Region People's Republic of China in Chinese (traditional characters) and English.

Size The passport size is 125 mm X 88 mm. There are currently 2 types of passports: a 32 page ordinary passport, and a 48 page passport.

Inside

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

Personal data is recorded on the last page of the passport, which is covered with a security laminate. Details include:

  • Surname and Given Names: in Chinese (above) and English (below)
  • Nationality: "CHINESE"
  • Sex: denoted as "M" (male) or "F" (female)
  • Place of birth: if born in China- name of province/autonomous region/municipality/SAR; if born outside China- name of country/region
  • Dates of birth, issuance and expiry: displayed in the format DD-MMM-YY
  • Authority (of issue): "IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION"

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.

Languages

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

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. In HKSAR passports, the passport note is contained right behind the front cover, which states in Chinese (Traditional characters) and English:

中華人民共和國外交部請各國軍政機關對持照人予以通行的便利和必要的協助
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.

[edit] 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 for PRC authorities overseas to 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.

[edit] Visa-free Access for HKSAR Passports

Around 134 countries and territories/regions throughout the world from the list below have granted the privilege of visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to HKSAR passport holders (134 countries and territories claimed by Immigration Department of Hong Kong as of 14 February 2007)[5]:

[edit] Asia

[edit] Europe

[edit] Americas

[edit] Africa

    • Flag of Comoros Comoros (visa issued upon arrival)
    • Flag of Kenya Kenya (visa is also possible issued on arrival)
    • Flag of Malawi Malawi (visa obtained at Lilongwe Int. Airport on arrival)
    • Flag of Mozambique Mozambique (visa can be obtained on arrival for touristic purpose)
    • Flag of Togo Togo 7 days (visa issued on arrival)

[edit] Oceania and others

[edit] See also

This article contains Chinese text.
Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Chinese characters.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Who is "eligible for a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport"
  2. ^ Passport, Visa & Health Requirements - NWA
  3. ^ http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/topical_4.htm
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^ Visa-free access for HKSAR passport holders
  6. ^ [2]
  7. ^ [3]
  8. ^ [4]
  9. ^ Australian Government's Electronic Travel Authority System
  • Book in Chinese: 張勇、陳玉田：《香港居民的國籍問題》（出版社：三聯書店（香港））

[edit] External Links

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