The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Re-entry Permits are issued to Hong Kong residents for travel to the Mainland and Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR). If the applicant is a Hong Kong permanent resident or has been granted unconditional stay in Hong Kong, he/she may be eligible for the HKSAR Re-entry Permit.
There are two types of HKSAR Re-entry Permits:
(a) Single HKSAR Re-entry Permit, which is good for a single journey and valid for 6 months; and
(b) Multiple HKSAR Re-entry Permit, which is good for multiple journeys and valid for 5 years.
People Who Do Not Need an HKSAR Re-entry Permit
Under the Easy Travel Scheme, holders of Hong Kong identity cards bearing "***", "*" or "R" symbol or locally issued Hong Kong permanent identity cards, who are aged 11 or above, can travel from Hong Kong to the Mainland and Macao SAR and vice versa without producing a HKSAR Re-entry Permit or other travel documents at any Hong Kong immigration control point. They are also not required to fill in any arrival card or departure card.
Travel to/from the Mainland or the Macao SAR
When passing through Hong Kong immigration control points to or from the Mainland or the Macao SAR, Hong Kong residents do not need a HKSAR Re-entry Permit if they can produce the following documents:
Important Notes:
If all supporting documents required are provided upon submission of application in person, the application can normally be processed and the HKSAR Re-entry Permit issued to the applicant on the same day. If the applicant’s previous HKSAR Re-entry Permit is lost, damaged, defaced or is not available, he/she has to complete Form ID 645. The processing time may be longer.
Applications must be made in person at one of the Immigration Branch Offices (except the Travel Documents and Nationality (Application) Section). If an applicant is under 16 years of age, he/she must be accompanied by his/her parent or legal guardian.
List of Immigration Branch Offices for travel document applications
To shorten the queuing time, an appointment booking through the Internet (www.gov.hk/tdbooking), Immigration Department Mobile Application or by phone (2598 0888) should be made to submit the application. Applicants who have not made an appointment booking will be served in accordance with the walk-in quota system on a first-come-first-served basis until the quota is full.
There are two types of application forms. Applicants can download the forms through the following links.
One recent photograph of the applicant conforming to the following requirements is required:
The photograph will not be stuck onto the HKSAR Re-entry Permit, but will be turned into a digitised image. The quality of the image appearing on the permit will depend on the quality of the original photograph. Self-service photographic kiosks are provided in all Immigration Branch Offices.
Applicants should bring along the original supporting documents upon submission of the application. An application with insufficient supporting documents will not be processed and will be returned to the applicant. Additional documents or information may be required if necessary. Providing the correct supporting documents will facilitate the processing of the application.
Application for Persons Aged 16 or Above
Applicants should provide the following documents together with the application:
(a) Hong Kong identity card; and
(b) documentary evidence of their legal residence in the HKSAR (for new arrivals only).
Additional Requirements for Applicants Aged 16 or 17
(c) Section 4 of the application form (Form ID 73) completed and signed by the consenting parent or legal guardian to confirm his/her consent to the application;
(d) the Hong Kong identity card or valid travel document(s) of the consenting parent or legal guardian;
(e) birth certificate (not required if it is issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department) to prove the applicant's relationship with the consenting parent, or a court order (if appropriate) to prove that the consenting legal guardian has custodial rights in respect of him/her; and
(f) if the applicant is married, only his/her marriage certificate (not required if it is issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department) is required. Items (c) to (e) are not required.
Application for Children Aged under 16
The consenting parent or legal guardian should provide the following documents together with the child's application:
(a) the child's Hong Kong identity card (if appropriate);
(b) documentary evidence of the child's permanent residence in Hong Kong;
(c) the child’s birth certificate (not required if it is issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department) to prove the relationship between the child and the consenting parent; or a court order (if appropriate) to prove that the consenting legal guardian has custodial rights in respect of the child; and
(d) the Hong Kong identity card or valid travel document(s) of the consenting parent or legal guardian who makes the application on the child’s behalf.
Additional Requirements for Children Aged under 11
(e) the latest school document bearing the child's photograph authenticated by the school (e.g. student handbook or school record card bearing the child's name, date of birth and photograph) or other proofs of identity are required. If such school document and proof of identity is not available, a completed Form for Countersignature (Form ID 641) together with a photocopy of the Hong Kong identity card or valid travel document(s) bearing the countersignatory’s signature will be required.
Form for Countersignature (Form ID 641)
Points to Note
(a) Depending on the circumstances of individual applications, applicants may be required to produce photocopies of the documents.
(b) If the applicant is requesting a replacement HKSAR Re-entry Permit, the previous permit should be produced for cancellation upon application.
(c) If the previous HKSAR Re-entry Permit is lost, damaged or not available, the applicant should specify the circumstances of loss / damage or reason(s) for its unavailability in Form ID 645. A new HKSAR Re-entry Permit will be issued only after extensive enquiries.
The application fee will be collected at the time of application. Payment can be made by EPS, by Octopus, in cash, or by crossed cheque payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region". Post-dated cheque will not be accepted.
If all supporting documents required are provided upon submission of application, the HKSAR Re-entry Permit can normally be issued to the applicant on the same day.