Visa requirements for Chinese citizens of Hong Kong explained

As of 2024, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders have visa-free or visa on arrival access to 170 countries and territories, ranking the passport 18th in the world according to the Henley Passport Index.[1] It is ranked 16th by the Global Passport Power Rank.[2]

The official figure provided by the Hong Kong Immigration Department of countries and territories granting visa-free access to Hong Kong SAR passport holders was 171 as of 7 December 2023. (However, this figure excludes countries and territories which are not officially recognised by the People's Republic of China, such as Kosovo and Taiwan so the practical figure relevant to travellers is actually higher.)[3]

Due to its one country, two systems stance, the Government of Hong Kong can make a visa-waiver agreement for Chinese residents of Hong Kong with other countries. As a result of both bilateral visa abolition agreements (e.g. between Hong Kong and Russia[4]) and unilateral decisions to grant visa exemptions (e.g. Myanmar), HKSAR passport holders enjoy visa exemptions and simplified visa procedures to a large number of destinations worldwide. Whilst the visa exemptions are mostly only for short trips for pleasure or on business, a number of countries extend the visa exemption to short stays involving paid activities (e.g. Belgium and Luxembourg).

HKSAR passports are available to Chinese citizens who are also permanent residents of Hong Kong and hold a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card, many of whom also hold a British National (Overseas) passport by virtue of their previous status as British Overseas Territories citizens.

Greater China

JurisdictionVisa requirementNotes

Home Return Permit not required if Holding an HKSAR Passport for airside transit in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou

Visa free for holders of Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards for a stay of less than one year. Visa not required for 7 days for passengers in transit holding HKSAR passports.

Visa requirements

Visa requirements for holders of normal passports traveling for tourist purposes:

Territories

Visa requirements for Chinese citizens of Hong Kong for visits to various territories, disputed areas, partially recognised countries and restricted zones:

APEC Business Travel Card

Holders of an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) travelling on business do not require a visa to the following countries:[138]

1 - Up to 180 days
2 - Up to 90 days
3 - Up to 90 days in a period of 180 days
4 - Up to 60 days

Permanent residents with Chinese nationality (holders of HKSAR passport / BN(O) passport) are required to apply for a Mainland Travel Permit to enter Mainland China, to the exclusion of all other documents.

The card must be used in conjunction with a passport and has the following advantages:[139]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Global Passport Ranking.
  2. Web site: Global Passport Power Rank.
  3. https://www.immd.gov.hk/pdf/Full_List_of_Visa-free_Access_or_Visa-on-arrival_for_HKSAR_Passport_en.pdf
  4. http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/20090603.htm Visa-free access to Russia for HKSAR passport holders
  5. Web site: Visa-free access to Angola for HKSAR passport holders.
  6. Web site: Joint statement with the Hon Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister - Hong Kong . minister.homeaffairs.gov.au . 27 August 2020. 9 July 2020.
  7. Web site: Azerbaijan eVisa.
  8. Web site: Benin eVisa.
  9. Web site: Bhutan eVisa.
  10. Web site: Bolivia Online Visa.
  11. Web site: Burkina Faso eVisa.
  12. Web site: Cambodia eVisa.
  13. Web site: Cameroon eVisa.
  14. Web site: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada . Permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents: About the public policy . 8 June 2021.
  15. Web site: Amid Chinese crackdown, Ottawa widens door for young Hong Kong immigrants . Amanda . Connolly . Global News . 12 November 2020 . 19 January 2021.
  16. Web site: Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) . 15 April 2015.
  17. http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/zggmzhw/hzlxz/hzlvzjj_660526/ 护照/旅行证简介
  18. https://www.mohrss.gov.cn/fgs/FGSdifadongtai/201808/t20180828_300041.html 港澳台人员不再需要办理就业证
  19. Web site: DR Congo eVisa.
  20. Web site: CI eVisa.
  21. Web site: Djibouti eVisa.
  22. Extendable length of stay.
  23. Web site: Equatorial Guinea eVisa.
  24. Web site: Gabon eVisa.
  25. Exemption applies if traveling as tourists on a charter flight.
  26. Web site: Visa-free access to Georgia for HKSAR passport holders.
  27. Web site: Guinea eVisa.
  28. Web site: Indonesia e-VOA.
  29. Web site: 伊朗对中国公民实行单方面免签及赴伊朗注意事项 . 30 July 2019 . 30 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190730143254/http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/gyls/lsgz/fwxx/t1684452.shtml . dead.
  30. Web site: Jordan E-Services.
  31. Visa on arrival obtainable at most international ports of entry and at most international land border crossings (except King Hussein/Allenby Bridge crossing).
  32. Web site: Kenya eTA.
  33. Web site: K-ETA.
  34. Web site: Entry requirements – South Korea travel advice . GOV.UK . 3 December 2021 . en. Text was copied from this source, which is available under an Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright.
  35. Web site: Kuwait eVisa.
  36. Web site: Kyrgyzstan eVisa.
  37. Web site: entry point notice for travel to Kyrgyzstan.
  38. Web site: Libya eVisa.
  39. Web site: Mexico grants visa-free access to travellers from HK . 2024-05-15 . www.info.gov.hk.
  40. Web site: Mozambique eVisa.
  41. Web site: Myanmar eVisa.
  42. Web site: Nepal Online Visa.
  43. Web site: Paying the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy . immigration.govt.nz . Immigration New Zealand . 2021-02-01 . Many tourists, people on working holidays, and some students and workers coming to New Zealand must pay an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD $35..
  44. Web site: Information about: Australian Resident Visa . immigration.govt.nz . Immigration New Zealand . 2020-05-21 . Australian citizens and permanent residents can visit, work and live in New Zealand. You do not need a visa before you travel to New Zealand..
  45. Web site: Nigeria Immigration Services.
  46. Web site: Oman eVisa.
  47. Web site: PNG Easy Visitor Permit.
  48. Web site: Rwanda E-Services.
  49. Web site: Government of São Tomé and Príncipe grants entry visa to citizens of China – Macauhub . Macauhub.com.mo . 2022-03-06.
  50. Web site: Saudi Arabia eVisa.
  51. Web site: Seychelles Electronic Border System.
  52. Web site: Sierra Leone eVisa.
  53. Web site: South Sudan eVisa.
  54. Web site: SL eVisa.
  55. Web site: Suriname eVisa.
  56. Web site: Tajikistan eVisa.
  57. Obtainable at the Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport or at the Dili Sea Port.
  58. Web site: Togo eVisa.
  59. Web site: Enhanced travel convenience for HKSAR passport holders to Albania and Uganda.
  60. Web site: Uganda eVisa.
  61. News: Biden offers 'safe haven' to Hong Kong residents in U.S. after China crackdown. Reuters. 6 August 2021 . 6 August 2021. Martina . Michael . Hesson . Ted . Brunnstrom . David.
  62. News: US extends safe haven program for Hong Kong residents. CNN. 26 January 2023 . 27 January 2023. Hansler . Jennifer.
  63. Web site: Uzbekistan eVisa.
  64. Web site: Vietnam eVisa.
  65. http://mfaapsny.org/aps/council/visa.php Аҧсны Аҳәынҭқарра Адәныҟатәи Аускәа Рминистрра
  66. http://www.athosfriends.org/PilgrimsGuide/planning/ The Friends of Mount Athos – A Pilgrim's Guide to Mount Athos: Planning Your Visit
  67. http://www.mountathosinfos.gr/pages/agionoros/pilgrims_info.en.html Mount Athos Info, Αγιον Οροσ, Berg Athos, Ouranoupolis, Ουρανουπολη
  68. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/foreigners-now-need-russian-visa-to-visit-crimea/497173.html Foreigners Now Need Russian Visa to Visit Crimea
  69. http://www.cypnet.co.uk/ncyprus/tourism/tourist.html How to get to North Cyprus? – Passport, Visa & Entry Requirements
  70. http://www.unficyp.org/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=1608&tt=graphic&lang=l1 > Buffer Zone Permits
  71. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/denmark/entry-requirements Denmark travel advice
  72. http://www.gov.gg/doirequireanentryclearance Do I require an entry clearance/ VISA
  73. http://www.gov.im/categories/home-and-neighbourhood/immigration/an-overview-of-immigration-in-the-isle-of-man/ An overview of Immigration in the Isle of Man
  74. http://www.jan-mayen.no/visit.htm Jan Mayen Homesite, Edited By The Jan Mayen Crew
  75. Web site: Forskrifter om utlendingers adgang til Jan Mayen . no . Regulations on foreigners' access to Jan Mayen . lovdata.no . 7 March 2022 . https://archive.today/20220307005017/https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/1962-06-01-1 . 7 March 2022 . live.
  76. http://www.gov.je/Travel/InformationAdvice/Visitors/Pages/VisaPassport.aspx Visa and passport requirements for visitors
  77. http://www.mfa-ks.net/?page=2,158 Special Categories – Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Kosovo
  78. http://mfa-rso.su/node/55 О визах | Министерство иностранных дел
  79. http://mfa-rso.su/en/node/406 Procedure of the Entry to the Territory of the Republic of South Ossetia | Министерство иностранных дел
  80. Web site: Transnistria useful information, warnings, visas, border crossings, budget accommodation . 4 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131022114723/http://www.luxlana.net/Transdniestr.html . 22 October 2013 . dead . dmy-all .
  81. http://transnistria-tour.com/en/rules-and-tipps Rules and recommendations
  82. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/british-indian-ocean-territory?ta=entryRequirements&pg=4 British Indian Ocean Territory travel advice – GOV.UK
  83. http://www.eritrea.be/MoT.htm Ministry of Tourism – Tourism Service Center
  84. Web site: Ascension Island E-Visa System. 13 November 2018.
  85. Web site: Entry Visas. 13 November 2018. 22 December 2017. 19 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190619085843/https://www.ascension-island.gov.ac/entry-visas/. dead.
  86. Web site: Entry Visas | Ascension Island Government . 22 December 2017 . 19 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190619085843/https://www.ascension-island.gov.ac/entry-visas/ . dead .
  87. http://www.sthelenatourism.com/the-island/useful-info/ Useful info : St Helena Tourism
  88. http://www.tristandc.com/visitsadmin.php Tristan da Cunha Information for Visitors
  89. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/somaliland-puntland-and-somalia/practical-information/visas Practical travel information on Visas in Somaliland, Puntland & Somalia – Lonely Planet Travel Information
  90. Web site: VISA Application . www.somalilandgov.com . 3 February 2022 . https://archive.today/20061117003149/http://www.somalilandgov.com/Visa%20Application.htm . 17 November 2006 . dead.
  91. Web site: Republic of South Sudan Country Specific Information. Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. 19 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20131105150822/http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_5525.html#entry_requirements. 5 November 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  92. Web site: Entry Formalities to Andaman . 26 November 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120426085021/http://as.and.nic.in/TourismAND/TCorner/ForeignersNew.htm . 26 April 2012 .
  93. http://arunachaltourism.com/entry_formalities.php Arunachal Tourism
  94. Web site: Entry Formalities in Manipur . 4 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110809003009/http://manipurbhawan.nic.in/entryformalities.htm . 9 August 2011 . dead . dmy-all .
  95. Web site: 时时彩平台推广|时时彩平台推广官网【Pk彩票官方授权】 . manipurhub.com . 15 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190329112747/http://manipurhub.com/news/manipur/protected-area-permit-requirement-lifted-from-manipur-for-one-year/ . 29 March 2019 . dead.
  96. http://lakshadweeptourism.nic.in/web9.htm Tourism in Lakshadweep
  97. Web site: Kazakhstan Country Specific Information. Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. 18 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20131102170930/http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1150.html#entry_requirements. 2 November 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  98. Web site: Iran Country Specific Information. Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. 18 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20131203094257/http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1142.html#entry_requirements. 3 December 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  99. Web site: Malaysia Country Specific Information. Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. 18 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131128154523/http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_960.html#entry_requirements. 28 November 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  100. Web site: Maldives Country Specific Information. Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. 18 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20131202232123/http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_961.html#entry_requirements. 2 December 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  101. Web site: Israel Country Specific Information. Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. 18 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20131114103216/http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1064.html#entry_requirements. 14 November 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  102. http://www.pamirs.org/visas.htm the roof of the world
  103. http://www.traveltajikistan.com/visas/gbao.html Permit to visit Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO)
  104. http://tajiktourism.com/tajikistan-visa/ Tajikistan Visa
  105. Web site: Yemen Country Specific Information. Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. 19 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20131114101625/http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1061.html#entry_requirements. 14 November 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  106. Web site: Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve and Cartier Island Marine Reserve - Activities Allowed . 4 August 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121031132558/http://environment.gov.au/coasts/mpa/ashmore/activities.html . 31 October 2012 .
  107. http://www.clipperton.fr/incagen.html?geopolitique.htm~main Clipperton – Ile de La Passion
  108. Web site: Cook Islands Government Online . 31 January 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100114210537/http://www.cook-islands.gov.ck/faq.php . 14 January 2010 .
  109. Web site: Fiji Country Specific Information. Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State. 18 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20131102204202/http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1114.html#entry_requirements. 2 November 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  110. Web site: Foreign nationals holding ordinary passports exempt from visa requirements. Ministère des Affaires étrangères. 12 May 2014.
  111. http://www.niueisland.com/getting-niue Getting to Niue | Niue
  112. http://www.visitpitcairn.pn/visitpitcairn/visaslegalinfo/touristinfo/index.html Tourist Information | Visas & Legal Info | Pitcairn Island Tourism
  113. http://www.government.pn/visaInfo.php Pitcairn Islands
  114. Web site: Immigration Control Ordinance 2006 . . 5 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211106205311/http://www.government.pn/immigration%20ordinance.pdf . 6 November 2021 . live.
  115. Web site: Visiting - Baker Island National Wildlife Refuge . 12 May 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131017211743/http://www.fws.gov/bakerisland/visit.html . 17 October 2013 .
  116. Web site: Visiting Howland National Wildlife Refuge . 12 May 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131017212340/http://www.fws.gov/howlandisland/visit.html . 17 October 2013 .
  117. http://www.fws.gov/jarvisisland/
  118. Web site: Visiting Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. www.fws.gov . https://web.archive.org/web/20130607120346/http://www.fws.gov/johnstonisland/visit.html . 7 June 2013.
  119. Web site: Visiting Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge . 12 May 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131017212056/http://www.fws.gov/kingmanreef/visit.html . 17 October 2013 .
  120. Web site: Visiting Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge . 12 May 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140227230950/http://www.fws.gov/midway/visit.html . 27 February 2014 .
  121. Web site: Visiting - Palmyra National Wildlife Refuge. 12 May 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130522074332/http://www.fws.gov/palmyraatoll/visit.html . 22 May 2013 .
  122. Web site: Sistema de Calificación y Control de Residencia – Consejo de Gobierno de Galápagos . 29 June 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150221022358/http://gobiernogalapagos.gob.ec/cgggob/info/ . 21 February 2015 . dead . dmy-all.
  123. Web site: Visitor Permit.
  124. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/south-america/south-georgia-south-sandwich#entryRequirements South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (British Overseas Territory) travel advice – GOV.UK
  125. http://www.sgisland.gs/index.php/(v)Information_for_Visitors_to_South_Georgia?useskin=vis Information for Visitors – South Georgia Website
  126. Web site: Antarctic tourism . . 6 March 2022 . 6 March 2022 . https://archive.today/20220306141525/https://www.bas.ac.uk/about/antarctica/tourism/ . live.
  127. Web site: UK Government Web Archive .
  128. http://britishantarcticterritory.fco.gov.uk/en/tourism/ British Antarctic Territory – GOV.UK
  129. http://www.taaf.fr/Acces-a-l-Antarctique Activités et accès à l’Antarctique : rappel des procédures et sensibilisation à la sécurité des personnes et à la protection de l’environnement
  130. http://www.taaf.fr/Acces-aux-iles-australes Accès aux Terres australes françaises
  131. http://www.taaf.fr/Acces-aux-iles-Eparses Accès aux îles Eparses
  132. http://www.dna.gov.ar/DIVULGAC/INDEX.HTM Dna-Iaa – La Antártida
  133. http://www.antarctica.gov.au/living-and-working/predeparture/expeditioner-engagement-information Forms expeditioners must sign — Australian Antarctic Division
  134. http://www.heardisland.aq/about/frequently-asked-questions#visit_heard_island FAQ — Heard Island
  135. Web site: Peter I Øy - Norwegian Polar Institute . 12 May 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140118173059/http://www.npolar.no/en/antarctica/peter-I-oy.html . 18 January 2014 .
  136. Web site: Dronning Maud Land - Norwegian Polar Institute. www.npolar.no . https://web.archive.org/web/20140327172625/http://www.npolar.no/en/antarctica/dronning-maud-land.html . 27 March 2014.
  137. http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Foreign-Relations/Antarctica/3-New-Zealand-Procedures-for-Visitors-to-Antarctica/index.php Foreign Relations – Antarctica – New Zealand Procedures for Non-Governmental Visitors to Antarctica – NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  138. Web site: ABTC Economy Entry Information.
  139. Web site: APEC Business Travel Card.