In 2023, Hong Kong passport holders enlarged their visa-free countries list to 172. Currently ranking 19th globally, the HKSAR passport is gaining more and more strength. This and the government’s growing attention toward the HKSAR passport is encouraging more and more Chinese Hong Kong residents to renew their passports.
This complete overview will provide all the necessary information on how and where HK passport holders can conduct their passport renewal, both in Hong Kong and abroad. Stay with us to make your passport renewal process 100% trouble-free and learn how to get a photo for your HKSAR passport at home!
Hong Kong passport renewal—3.5 possible ways
An adult’s Hong Kong passport is valid for 10 (ten) years, while a child’s—5 (five) years. As a general rule, Chinese citizens and Hong Kong residents should renew their passports 6 (six) months before they expire.
Passport holders can apply for a renewal in 3 different ways: in person, online, or by using a self-service available at the passport collection kiosk. Here, we are going to describe these ways in more detail.
Hong Kong immigration offices
Applicants who feel more comfortable running official errands face-to-face are welcome to visit the Immigration Department with its headquarters in Wan Chai. Also, Hong Kong residents may use the services of immigration branch offices located in the city. It is crucial to make an appointment online before the visit.
To renew their HK passport in the selected immigration office, applicants need to prepare the following documents:
- a completed ID 841 form
- a photocopy of their Hong Kong identity card
- 3 (three) passport photos
- supporting documents (e.g., marriage certificate) if applicable.
The renewal process can also be conducted by post. Applicants must send all the above documents with the application fee paid to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government.
Hong Kong passport renewal online
Holders who prefer to renew their passports comfortably at home can do so through the online passport form. Passport renewals through the internet are available only for eligible adults above 17 (seventeen). For an online passport renewal, applicants need:
- a completed online form
- supporting documents (e.g., birth certificate) if applicable, and
- a biometric passport photo in JPG format, not larger than 5MB.
Chinese citizens and Hong Kong residents who are unmarried and below the age of 17 (seventeen) need to provide parental consent to renew their passports. Legal guardians of children aged 11 (eleven) or below also need to present the child’s birth certificate (or other proof of relationship) and a relevant school document for identity verification.
Travel document submission kiosk
Independent applicants can use self-service passport kiosks. These are stations usually located close to immigration offices—in Sha Tin, Fo Tan, or Tuen Mun, among others.
First, the machine scans the citizen’s HKSAR identity document. Then, the applicant provides biometric fingerprints and follows the guidelines displayed on the screen. The kiosks allow you to submit additional documents immediately and take a passport photo free of charge.
Passport mobile application stations
To make the passport renewal process more convenient and accessible, the Hong Kong Immigration Department introduced Passport Mobile Application Stations (PMAS). Advertised in the form of vehicles, these stations are supposed to bring passport services closer to the citizens and residents of Hong Kong.
Stationed in all 18 (eighteen) districts of the city, they help applicants conduct their passport renewal without the need to visit an office.
Although introduced for a limited time (13th July—10th September 2022), there is a high chance that PMAS will be around for longer, as they provide an additional service next to immigration offices and kiosks. Follow the government website for any further information.
All applicants who submit their form directly to the Immigration Department (by post, online or in-person) must collect their new passport personally at the immigration office in Hong Kong. For children’s passports, both the holder and the parent or a consenting legal guardian must be present during the collection.
Hong Kong passport: renewal overseas
Fortunately, renewing the Hong Kong passport is possible not only in China itself but also abroad. Holders of the HK passport currently residing in a foreign country can also smoothly renew their passports. The available options include:
- visiting the Hong Kong embassy or consulate in a given place;
- sending the application by post;
- completing it via the internet.
Since any Chinese national or Hong Kong permanent resident must pick up their passport in person, overseas applicants must choose a different option: to collect their passport at one of the Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions. This way, they do not need to travel to China but get their new passports in their current place of residence.
Hong Kong passport renewal in the U.S.
HK passport holders residing in the United States can renew their passports in the same ways as in their motherland (excluding the kiosks, which are available only in Hong Kong).
There are no additional requirements, nor is there a difference in the necessary documents. The only new thing is that applicants must choose their collection place. In the U.S., there are 5 (five) locations:
- The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Washington, D.C.
- Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York
- Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in San Francisco
- Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles
- Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Chicago.
Applicants need to make an appointment to collect their renewed HK passport. They can do so through the consulate’s website or by calling a respective office.
Important note: the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Washington, D.C., as well as the consulates in the U.S., are closed on general holidays (both American and Chinese).
PhotoAiD® for your HK passport renewal photo
A biometric passport photo is one of the crucial elements when renewing your passport. While in Hong Kong, applicants can use the photography service of travel document kiosks, Chinese citizens living in the U.S. need to prepare their passport photos independently.
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FAQ
The following section will support our thorough guide with frequently asked questions. Keep reading to make sure we have addressed all your inquiries and doubts.
How many photos are required with Hong Kong passport renewal?
The number of passport photos depends on the application form. If the HK passport renewal is conducted in-person or by post, applicants must attach 3 (three) biometric color photographs. For an application being submitted online, 1 (one) digital passport photo will suffice.
How to renew my Hong Kong passport in Los Angeles?
To renew a Hong Kong passport in Los Angeles, Chinese citizens can fill out their forms online, send them by post to the Immigration Department in Hong Kong, or visit the General Consulate in LA.
The address is 443 Shatto Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90020, United States. Applicants are required to make an appointment via phone at +1 213-807-8088.
How to renew my Hong Kong passport in the U.S. for urgency?
Chinese citizens or Hong Kong residents who need urgent services should visit the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C. (3505 International Pl NW, Washington, DC 20008, United States).
The embassy has also opened a special phone line for emergency cases only: (202) 669-8024.
Can I renew my Hong Kong passport in the U.S.?
Yes, Chinese citizens can renew their HK passports in the U.S. There are 3 ways to choose from:
– sending the application by post to the Immigration Department in Hong Kong;
– submitting an online application;
– visiting the Chinese embassy or consulate in the U.S.
How to renew a Hong Kong passport overseas?
Renewing the Hong Kong passport overseas is conducted in the same ways as in the country (apart from the kiosks). Citizens and residents of China can renew their HK passports by post, online, or by visiting the embassy or consulate in a given country.
How to renew a Hong Kong passport online?
As an eligible applicant (a Chinese national or resident above 17 holding an HKSAR permanent identification card), you can renew your HK passport online. To do it, individuals should visit the official government website, go to “application through the internet,” and follow the information provided.
For online applications, 1 (one) digital passport photo is required, and the fees need to be paid via online payment.
How long does it take to renew a Hong Kong passport?
The Immigration Department states that the processing time of HK passport renewal takes 5 (five) working days for adults and 10 (ten) working days for children under the age of 11 (eleven) in the case of personal appointment.
Applications received in other ways (via mail service or online) can take additional 2-3 days to process.
How to schedule an appointment for a Hong Kong passport renewal?
Applicants can schedule an appointment for Hong Kong passport renewal via an online booking system, through the Immigration Department Mobile Application, or via phone. The system operates 24 hours a day and can be contacted at (852) 2598 0888.
If a Chinese citizen or HK resident wishes to renew their passport abroad, making an appointment is possible by contacting the respective Chinese embassy or consulate.
Can I renew my HKSAR passport before the expiry date?
Yes, you can. Chinese citizens do not have to wait for their HK passport to expire—generally, they can start the renewal process 6 (six) or even 9 (nine) months before the expiry date.
Moreover, you are allowed to renew your Hong Kong passport anytime, provided that you have all necessary documents.
Closing thoughts
Whether in Hong Kong, the U.S., or any other foreign country, Chinese citizens can renew their passports swiftly by choosing one of the options made available by the Hong Kong Immigration Department. The applicants can submit their forms online, by post, in the travel document submission kiosks (only in HKSAR), or abroad in the Chinese embassy or consulate. Usually, supporting documents will be required and asked for in the instructions.
And if you are looking for a convenient and fast way to take your passport photo—without leaving your home—try PhotoAiD®. Download the app on your mobile phone, relax, and create your perfect biometric photograph within seconds! Then, leave it all to our experts. A 100% compliance guarantee or 200% refund!
Roxana is a writer with 3+ years of experience. As a Master in psycholinguistics, she blends her passion for language and communication with insights from diverse cultures, making her content resonate with a broad audience.
