How to get a Hong Kong passport for foreigners?

Thinking about getting a Hong Kong passport as a foreigner? While Hong Kong issues its own passport, it does not have separate citizenship. To apply for a Hong Kong SAR passport, you generally need to be a Chinese citizen, a Hong Kong permanent resident, and a holder of a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card. This guide explains the key eligibility requirements, naturalisation process, passport application steps, dual citizenship considerations, and possible alternatives.

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Can foreigners get a Hong Kong Passport?

Yes, as a foreigner, you can obtain a Hong Kong passport, but you must be:

• a Chinese citizen;
• a permanent resident of the HKSAR; and
• a holder of a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card.

Hong Kong has its own passport, but the city doesn’t have its own citizenship. So you will first need to naturalize as a Chinese citizen to get a Hong Kong passport.

Simply put, if you're already a Chinese citizen, you can apply for a Hong Kong passport provided you meet the necessary criteria. If you're from another country and wish to apply for a Hong Kong passport, you must first go through the naturalisation process to become a Chinese citizen.

Eligibility for Hong Kong Permanent Residency

The eligibility criteria for Hong Kong Permanent Residency, also called the Right of Abode (ROA), is quite complex. And it will vary depending on each case, so it is recommended to talk to a immigration professional. But if you would like to check the general eligibility, here are some²:

For Chinese citizens:

• Chinese citizen born in Hong Kong
• Chinese citizen with 7 years and more of ordinary residence in Hong Kong
• Chinese citizen who one or both parents meet the above criteria at the time of birth of that person

For non-Chinese citizens:

• Non-Chinese citizen with 7 years of continuous residence in Hong Kong and has taken Hong Kong as his or her place of permanent residence
• Non-Chinese citizen, aged under 21, born in Hong Kong, to the parents who one or both parents has Hong Kong permanent resident status
• Non-Chinese citizen who used to have a right of abode in Hong Kong prior to the transfer of sovereignty to China on 1 July 1997, with subject to approvals

Hong Kong citizen vs Permanent Resident

Being a Hong Kong permanent resident is not the same as being a Hong Kong citizen.

While as a PR you still can enjoy several benefits like a citizen can, a permanent resident status isn’t really permanent. Your PR status will be revoked if you leave Hong Kong for more than 36 months. Plus, you cannot get a Hong Kong passport by just being a PR.

Naturalisation as a Chinese National

The process of naturalizing as a Chinese citizen is complicated, largely due to the country's conservative immigration policies. But it is not entirely impossible, and you will be eligible to apply for a Hong Kong passport after being naturalized.

Here are some general eligibility for who can apply for naturalisation as a Chinese national:³

• You are willing to abide by China’s constitution and laws
• You have near relatives who are Chinese nationals
• You have settled in China for sometime

Individuals however will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. There are certain aspects that can improve your chances:³

• You are currently a PR in Hong Kong
• Your habitual residence is in Hong Kong
• Your spouse and minor children are in Hong Kong
• You are paying tax rightfully
• You have good character
• You have sufficient knowledge of the Chinese language
• You intend to live in Hong Kong or mainland China after you get your citizenship
• Any other legitimate reasons to support your application

Application Process for Naturalisation as a Chinese National

Typically, while applying for naturalisation, the applicants are currently in Hong Kong. But you still can do it while you are outside Hong Kong. There is also an Online Application for Naturalisation as a Chinese National on the GovHK website.

If you choose to submit your application in person or by mail, follow these steps:

1. Prepare the required supporting documents, which may include your HKID, birth certificate, passport(s) or travel document(s), financial proof from your legal guardian (if under 18), proof of your relationship with a close relative who is a Chinese national, and any other requested documents.
2. You will need to download the following forms:

• For local applicants: Form ID874 (18 years old or over) or Form ID875 ( under 18 years old)
• For overseas applicants: Form ID922 (18 years old or over) or Form ID923 (under 18 years old), together with Form ID927 and Form ID929

1. Pay the application fee of 1,730 HKD by cheque or bank draft only, made payable to The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. If the fee is not paid in HKD or not drawn on a bank in Hong Kong, you must include a 100 HKD bank handling charge in the cheque or bank draft. If you plan to send your application by post, ensure that you also pay the postal fees before you send.
2. Submit everything in person or by post to the *Nationality Sub-section *of the Hong Kong Immigration Department

If you are currently not in Hong Kong, you can send your application to your local Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions (CDCM) or directly to the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

Application Process for Hong Kong SAR Passport (after naturalisation)

Once you’ve successfully become a Chinese national and hold permanent residency in Hong Kong, you can apply for a Hong Kong SAR passport.

Let’s walk through how you can apply for a Hong Kong passport as a foreigner:

Step 1: Collect all the required documents:

Depending on where you are when you apply and your age, the forms and supporting documents you’ll need might vary⁴. Applicants should bring along the original supporting documents if they are submitting their applications in person. In case of postal application, applicants should submit the application form, photographs and cheque together with photocopies of supporting documents on A4-size paper. Below are some basic required documents.

The applicant is currently in Hong Kong:

• Application form
• Portrait photograph that fits the requirements; children under 11 years old who do not hold HKID will need to provide an additional photograph.
• Hong Kong permanent identity card or acknowledgement of application for a Hong Kong permanent identity card
• Consenting parent or legal guardian's Hong Kong identity card or valid travel document(s): Required if the applicant is under 16, or 16–17 and single.
• Birth certificate: Required if the applicant is not born in Hong Kong.
• School document: Required for children under 11.
• Additional documents to prove that the applicant has been successfully naturalised as a Chinese national if you are not born in Hong Kong.

The applicant is currently NOT in Hong Kong:

• Application form
• Fee payment form
• Portrait photograph that fits the requirements; children under 11 years old who do not hold HKID will need to provide an additional photograph.
• Copies of Hong Kong permanent identity card or acknowledgement of application for a Hong Kong permanent identity card
• Consenting parent or legal guardian's Hong Kong identity card or valid travel document(s): Required if the applicant is under 16, or 16–17 and single.
• Birth certificate: Required if the applicant is not born in Hong Kong.
• School document: Required for children under 11
• HKSAR Document of Identity for Visa Purposes: Required for first-time applicant
• The previous HKSAR passport: Required if applicable.
• Additional documents to prove that the applicant has been successfully naturalised as a Chinese national if you are not born in Hong Kong.

Step 2: Submit your application

There are several methods you can submit your application like:

• Via internet: Access application for HKSAR passport through the GovHK website.
• Travel Document/ Personal Document Submission Kiosk or Drop-in at any one of the Immigration Offices: There are several kiosks or Immigration offices available across the cities. You should check their office hours before coming as some of them are online during office hours.
• By post: Send your application directly to the Hong Kong Immigration Department. Make sure to send it to the Travel Documents and Nationality (Application) Section. If you are not in Hong Kong, you can also submit your application to Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions, or directly mail to the Hong Kong Immigration Department. Make sure to pay sufficient post charges.
• In person: You can book an appointment to submit your HKSAR passport application through the GovHK website as well.

As a foreigner applying for a Hong Kong passport for the first time, you may not need to submit your application in person. If you prefer in-person communication, you can certainly do so.

In-person submission is required only if your previous passport has been lost, damaged, defaced, or if you need to amend personal details. This means that people who are making in-person appointments are likely existing Chinese nationals already.

Step 3: Pay your fees and wait for the results

You will be asked to pay the passport application fees at the time of application. You can pay online through PPS, FPS, Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay App, or credit card (VISA, Mastercard, UnionPay and JCB). Here’re some fees associated with a HKSAR passports⁷:

Step 4: Collect your passport

Notice specifying the period of collection and the instructions for picking up your new passport will be sent through SMS. It generally takes about 5 to 10 working days to process a Hong Kong SAR passport application⁴. Sometimes it might take up to 8 weeks to process a HKSAR passport application, depending on individual circumstances and the overall volume of applications at the time.

You’ll need to collect your new passport in person!⁵ In most cases, you’ll pick it up at the Immigration Office, CDCM, or a Mainland Office. Some eligible applicants may also be able to collect their passport at a Passport Collection Kiosk or a Personal Documentation Collection Kiosk at the Immigration Offices.

They will ask you to show your HKID and the original supporting documents (if you provided the photocopies during the application process), your existing HKSAR Passport, or a HKSAR Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (if any).

Make sure to take these documents with you before coming to collect your passport.

Dual Citizenship Considerations

The Chinese government does not recognize dual citizenships. Once you’ve successfully become a Chinese national, you will need to renounce your foreign citizenship. This is an important step! Only after officially renouncing your foreign nationality will you be eligible to apply for a Hong Kong SAR passport.

Alternatives to a Hong Kong Passport

If you don’t want to give up your original citizenship, you can still apply for permanent residency in Hong Kong. Many expats actually just go through the PR status instead of the full citizenship route. This means you can enjoy some of the rights and benefits typically reserved for citizens in Hong Kong, while still being able to travel with your original passport!

There are some permanent residents of Hong Kong who do not hold any nationality, often known as stateless. They aren’t eligible for the Hong Kong passport. Instead, they may be able to get the HKSAR Document of Identity for Visa Purposes⁶. This acts as the travel document, but it isn’t as powerful as the passport and may have more limited visa-free access.

You should have a clear direction as well as some alternatives to a Hong Kong passport by now. Always make sure that you verify the information of your immigration consultants or the Immigration Department for the latest policies as they tend to change overtime!

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Sources used for this article:

1. Immigration Department: Visa-free access or visa-on-arrival for HKSAR Passport
2. Immigration Department: Eligibility for the Right of Abode in the HKSAR
3. Immigration Department: Application for Naturalisation as a Chinese National
4. Immigration Department: Application for HKSAR Passport
5. GovHK: Online Application for HKSAR Passport
6. Immigration Department: Application for HKSAR Document of Identity for Visa Purposes
7. Immigration Department: Fees Table

Sources last checked on 10-Jun-2025.