The Hong Kong passport, also known as the HKSAR passport, is issued to Chinese citizens and permanent residents in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China. Its holders can enjoy a variety of benefits while traveling internationally, such as obtaining fast entry permits. In this passage, we are going to talk about where HKSAR passport holders can travel without visas, with visa-on-arrival, electronic visas, etc.
Hong Kong Passport Visa Free Countries List
There are currently 147 HKSAR passport visa-free countries and territories, which can be checked on the official website of Hong Kong Immigration Department. The visa-exempt access is only available for short-term visits for tourism, business, or transit. Those who want to work, live, and study should obtain a long-term visa or residence permit. Please note that even if you are allowed to travel without a visa, whether you can enter the country is determined by the immigration authorities at the port of entry. The duration of stay and entry requirements vary from state to state, so you are supposed to check the newest rules with the local embassy, consulate, or officially recognized representatives of the destination. Check the below list:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Aruba
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bermuda
- Caribbean Netherlands
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- British Virgin Islands
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Cabo Verde
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- Colombia
- Cook Islands
- Croatia
- Curaçao
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Falkland Islands
- Faroe Islands
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- French Guiana
- French Polynesia
- French West Indies
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland
- Grenada
- Guam
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Iran
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kiribati
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mayotte
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Montserrat
- Morocco
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Niue
- North Macedonia
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Norway
- Oman
- Palestine
- Panama
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Réunion
- Romania
- Russia
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Martin
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
How Strong Are HKSAR Passports?
According to Guide Consultants, the Hong Kong passport ranks 18th in 2024 among passports worldwide. The ranking indicates the strength of the passport, measuring according to the number of destinations one can travel to without a pre-arranged visa, including no visas, visa-on-arrival (VOA), and electronic travel authorization (eTA). HKSAR passport is recognized as one of the top-ranking powerful passports as it grants easy access to 172 countries and regions.
What Documents Are Needed for Visa-Free Travel?
Although visas are not required, travelers still have to present some information and documents to prove their citizenship, identity, purpose of traveling, etc. The required documents for visa-exempt trips are different in each country. Here are some general requirements.
- A valid HKSAR passport. The remaining validity is subject to the destination’s specific rules and regulations, preferably at least 6 months. Remember to renew your Hong Kong passport if it’s about to expire.
- Proof of financial capability to fund your trip, such as bank statements, payslips, etc.
- Confirmed ticket of returning or onward trip.
- Confirmed booking of accommodation.
- Travel insurance to cover the duration of stay.
What Countries Issue Visa on Arrival to Hong Kong Passport Holders?
A visa on arrival (VOA) is issued at the port of entry of the destination, such as airports, sea ports, or land checkpoints. HKSAR passport holders can obtain a VOA after arriving in 25 countries and territories. Applicants must also satisfy the entry requirements, otherwise, they might be rejected for entry. It is necessary to note that the visa-on-arrival is only issued at specific entry points in some countries, so please check the exact information before setting out. Check the full list below:
- Bahrain
- Bolivia
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Comoros
- Guinea-Bissau
- Indonesia
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Madagascar
- Maldives
- Mauritania
- Mozambique
- Nepal
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Rwanda
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Saudi Arabia
- Seychelles
- Somalia
- Saint Helena
- Taiwan
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
What Countries Issue e-Visa to Hong Kong Passport Holders?
14 countries and territories issue eVisas for Hong Konger citizens. The eVisa, also known as an electronic visa, is applied and issued online. The application process is similar to a traditional physical visa stamp or sticker. Once approved, applicants will receive an email with the eVisa attached. It can be printed out or directly shown on the mobile phone to the officer at the entry point. Check the full list below:
- Azerbaijan
- Bhutan
- Cameroon
- Ivory Coast
- Djibouti
- Equatorial Guinea
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Georgia
- Guinea
- Kenya
- Kyrgyzstan
- Nigeria
- Sierra Leone
- South Sudan
- Tajikistan
- Togo
- Uganda
- Vietnam
What Countries Issue eTA for Hong Kong Passport Holders?
eTA refers to Electronic Travel Authorization. It is not an official visa but an entry permit. It acquires basic and essential information about travelers for the sake of national security and border control, such as personal information, purpose of traveling, and estimated stay. Currently, 7 HK visa-free countries provide eTA to HK citizens, which should be obtained online before traveling. Check the full list below:
- Australia
- Canada
- Kenya
- New Zealand
- Norfolk Island
- Sri Lanka
- Taiwan
Where Can Hong Kong Citizens Enter Visa-Free with an APEC Card?
The APEC card, also called APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC), is issued to citizens of members of the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) Scheme, including Hong Kong. It aims to boost the mobility of international business travelers by saving their time and simplifying the entry procedures. Hong Kong citizens, with ABTC, can travel in and out multiple times between the 19 participating economies without a visa. Moreover, there might be special service lanes for fast entry and exit clearance when pre-clearance is granted at your destination. Check the below countries:
- Australia
- Brunei
- Chile
- Indonesia
- Japan
- South Korea
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Peru
- Philippines
- Russia
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Vietnam
What Countries Require a Regular Visa for Hong Kong Passport Holders?
Currently, 38 countries require visas for Hong Kong passport holders. Applicants should apply from the local embassy or consulate of the destinations by filling out the application form, providing required documents (i.e. passport, visa photos, itinerary, and financial proof), submitting biometrics, and having an interview. There might be extra requirements according to where you intend to visit and visa type. The processing time ranges from several weeks to months, so it is advised to file the application as soon as possible before traveling. Check the full list below:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- American Samoa
- Angola
- Armenia
- Bangladesh
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- China
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Republic of the Congo
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- El Salvador
- Eritrea
- Ghana
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- India
- Iraq
- Liberia
- Libya
- Mali
- Marshall Islands
- Nauru
- North Korea
- Pakistan
- Paraguay
- Puerto Rico
- Senegal
- Solomon Islands
- Sudan
- Syria
- Gambia
- Turkmenistan
- United States Virgin Islands
- United States
- Eswatini
BNO Visa-Free Countries List
Previous British overseas territories citizens by connecting to Hong Kong were able to register as British nationals (overseas) before 1 July 1997 and obtained a British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) passport. BNO passport holders can enter the UK and stay for up to 6 months without a visa. However, they are subject to immigration controls and do not have UK residency. Moreover, 117 countries provide visa-free access. The duration of stay varies from nation to nation. It is necessary to check the entry requirements and travel restrictions in advance. Check the full list below:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Cape Verde
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominica
- Ecuador
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Gambia
- Germany
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kiribati
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Lesotho
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Netherlands
- Nicaragua
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- San Marino
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Ukraine
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- Zambia
FAQ
📌Does a Hong Kong passport need a visa to Italy?
No. Schengen area is one of the Hong Kong passport visa-free countries, so HK citizens can visit Italy, part of the area, without visas and stay for up to 90 days during a 180-day period.
📌Does a BNO passport count as a Hong Kong passport?
No. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced on January 29, 2021, that the BNO passport is no longer recognized as a valid travel document for immigration clearance and identification since January 31, 2021.
Summary
Hong Kong passport, as one of the top-ranking powerful passports in the world, provides convenient access to 172 countries and territories. 147 of them are HK visa-free countries while the other 25 offer visas on arrival. Travelers must satisfy the entry requirements and abide by the immigration regulations whether a visa is needed or not. To gain entry smoothly, it is suggested to consult the local embassy or consulate and make a full preparation before your trip.
Dolores Xiao