Canadian Passport Renewal in HK [Full Guide]

Travelers with valid Canadian passports can travel to Hong Kong without visas and stay for up to 90 days for the purpose of tourism and business. However, what if your passport is expiring, damaged, lost, or stolen during your stay in Hong Kong? In this article, we will explain completely how to renew a Canadian passport in HK.

Requirements for Canadian Passport Renewal

The Canadian passports can only be renewed under the following conditions.

• It is an adult passport issued at the age of 16 or above and within the last 15 years of the renewal application.
• It is valid for 5 or 10 years.
• There has been no change to personal information since the last issuance.

Supposing that you are holding a child’s passport or you want to change your name, date of birth, place of birth, or gender identifier on the new passport, you are supposed to apply for a new one. It is necessary to get all required documents ready before heading for passport renewal depending on your age.

For Adults

• Completed Renewal Application form.
• Your most recent passport.
• 2 identical passport photos and one with your name, address, and the date of taking photos on the back. Even if you renew from outside Canada, your ID pictures must comply with Canadian photo requirements. AiPassportPhotos allows you to make a 100% acceptable photo at home.
• Proof of payment.

Under 16 Years Old

The validity of the child’s passport is up to 5 years. Children under 16 must apply for a new passport when the old one expires and the following documents are needed.

• Completed Child Passport Application form.
• Proof of your child’s Canadian citizenship.
• Proof of parentage or legal guardianship (if applicable).
• Documents of custody of, mobility of, or access to the child.
• Current Canadian passport or other travel document.
• 2 identical passport photos and one with your name, address, the date of taking photos, and a guarantor’s signature on the back.
• Proof of payment.

When Should I Renew My Passport?

When to renew depends on what you use it for. Below, we have listed some common scenarios where Canadians need to renew their passports.

👉 Passport Renewal for International Travel

Entry requirements vary from country to country. Travelers with an expired or about-to-expire passport will be rejected for entry or even boarding the airplane. Most countries require foreign nationals to hold passports valid for at least 6 months, 3 months, or 1 month. Canadians entering HKSAR must have a passport with remaining validity of at least one month upon the data of leaving HK. Therefore, it is necessary to renew it when it does not satisfy the entry requirements.

👉 Passport Renewal for Identification

The passport is a certified identity document inside or outside Canada as long as it is valid. As it takes about 31 days to get a new passport, Canadians staying abroad should renew it about 1 month before expiration. Please note that you cannot use it as identification while your renewal application is being processed because you have to submit it.

How to Renew Canadian Passports in HK?

Passport renewal is much simpler than new applications because you are exempt from a guarantor, proof of Canadian citizenship, and certified identification. Canadians staying in Hong Kong should renew their passports at the Hong Kong – Consulate General of Canada through the following steps. Let’s walk you through step by step.

Step 1: Complete the Passport Renewal Form

Gather information on the passport holder, most recent Canadian passport, Canadian citizenship, period of validity, references, and emergency contact. You are recommended to fill it out online and print it out. Don’t forget to sign each page of the form. If your passport remains valid but lost or stolen, an extra Declaration Concerning A Lost, Stolen, Inaccessible, Damaged Or Found Canadian Travel Document should be included. 

Step 2: Gather Necessary Documents

Prepare all necessary documents and information according to the Requirements for Canadian Passport Renewal. Make sure all documents are in English or French. Otherwise, you should submit the original copy as well as an official translation. 

Step 3: Find Two (2) references

You have to provide the personal information of 2 persons as references in the application form. They must have been 18 years old and have known you for no less than 2 years, but they could not be your relatives or family members. Make sure they agree to provide their contact information because the authorities might contact them to verify your identity.

Step 4: Pay Renewal Fees

How much it costs depends on the services and application methods, which will be introduced later. The payment should be fulfilled before sending out the applications. You can pay online or in person at the Canadian consulate in Hong Kong. Remember to keep the payment receipt as a record.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Canadians living outside Canada and the US should submit the renewal application form and supporting documents to the local Government of Canada office abroad. The Hong Kong – Consulate General of Canada is located on the 9th Floor, Berkshire House, 25 Westlands Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong. You are supposed to book an online appointment for passport renewal first.

Step 6: Collect the Passport

The consular officers will inform you when your renewed passport is ready. In Hong Kong, you are supposed to make an appointment for passport pick-up.

Canadian Passport Renewal Cost & Processing Time in HK

The total costs include passport fees and extra service fees which are listed below.

Generally speaking, it takes about 20 business days to process your application after receiving it. If you have to travel urgently, please call the consulate at (852) 2867 7348 for help.

How to Apply for a New Child Passport in HK

Child passports cannot be renewed. You have to apply for a new child passport after expiration or a new adult passport when the child passport holder turns 16. Here is a step-by-step instruction on the new Canadian child passport application in Hong Kong.

Step 1: Check Eligibility

You are eligible to apply on behalf of your child(ren) if you:

• are the mother/father of the child (on the condition that you’re not separated or divorced).
• are the parent with custody of the child (on the condition that you’re separated or divorced).
• are a legal guardian of the child.

Step 2: Prepare Documents

General requirements include:

• A completed Child Abroad Passport Application form. Don’t sign the form even if you are the child’s parent or legal guardian. A signature is also not required for children under 16.
• Proof of your child’s Canadian citizenship, such as an original birth certificate or a citizenship certificate.
• Proof of parentage, such as a detailed birth certificate showing the parent(s)’s name (either issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial vital statistics office or a non-Canadian government).
• Proof of legal guardianship, such as an adoption order or a court order (if applicable).
• All documents referring to the child’s custody, mobility, or access, such as a copy of the divorce judgment or order in the case of divorcement.
• Existing valid Canadian passport or other travel document of the child.
• 2 identical passport photos compliant with the official guidelines and one with the child’s name, address date of taking the photo, and the guarantor’s signature on the back. If you have no idea where to take a qualified Canadian passport photo in HK, you can turn to AiPassportPhotos. The guarantor must have known you for 2 years or longer and must know of your child. He/she could be the other parent or legal guardian who is not applying.

Step 3: Make an Appointment

Canadian citizens must make an online appointment for passport renewal in Hong Kong. Choose “Passport/Citizenship Services” and then “Child passport application (0-15 years of age)”. Please note that one appointment is accepted for only one application. If you are applying for more than 1 child, please select the “Family passport application” service while booking an appointment.

Step 4: Submit the Application

Arrive for the appointment at the scheduled date and time. It is suggested to arrive 10-15 minutes earlier. Make sure to fill out all forms and prepare all documents before attending. You will submit applications and pay the application fees at the Hong Kong – Consulate General of Canada. The consulate opens from 8:30 to 17:00 (Monday to Thursday) or 8:30 to 1712:30:00 (Friday) except for public holidays.

Step 5: Collect the Child Passport

Make an appointment and choose “Passport Pick-up” service after receiving the notification that your new passport is ready. Take a certified identification to collect it.

How to Replace a Child Passport with an Adult Passport in HK

When a Canadian citizen turns 16, it is time to apply for a new adult passport. Please follow the steps below to replace a child’s passport with an adult passport in HK. 

Step 1: Check Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for your first adult passport when your most recent passport was issued when you are under 16 and you reach 16 as it expires. You can apply without your parent’s company and must sign the application on your own.

Step 2: Prepare Documents

The requirement for the replacement is the same as that for first-time adult passport applications. You have to provide a variety of documents to prove your identity and citizenship, such as:

• A completed Adult Passport Application form. Sign each page on your own.

• Proof of Canadian citizenship, such as a birth certificate, an original paper citizenship certificate, or a printed copy of a citizenship e-certificate.
• A valid Canadian child’s passport or other travel document.
• An identity document, such as a Canadian passport, driver’s license, health card, Certificate of Indian Status, military ID, etc (either original or a photocopy of both sides with the guarantor’s signature).
• 2 identical passport photos compliant with the official guidelines and one with the child’s name, address date of taking the photo, and the guarantor’s signature on the back.
• Extra proof if you have changed your name, want to omit your place of birth on your passport, or want to change the gender identifier.

Step 3: Make an Appointment

Go to the HK Consulate Appointment System. Read the Disclaimer and choose “Passport/Citizenship Services”. Select “Adult passport application (age 16 or over)” for appointment type”. Pick a desired date and time from the available slots and verify your identity. Sometimes you will see a notice saying that all available appointments were booked for the week/month. Therefore, it is suggested to schedule it at least one week in advance.

Step 4: Submit the Application

Take all documents to attend the appointment at the Hong Kong – Consulate General of Canada. Make sure your guarantor has signed your application, one of your passport photos, and all copies of your supporting identity documents. Don’t forget to include information about 2 references in your application form. Either reference and guarantor cannot be the same person. Additionally, if you pay online before arriving for the appointment, remember to print out the payment receipt. If you want to pay in person at the counter, bring a credit card or debit card from a local bank. Cash is not accepted.

Step 5: Collect the Adult Passport

The authority will inform you to collect your passport in about 30 days. Follow their instructions to book a prior appointment and take a certified ID to pick up the booklet.

Canadian Passport Fee & Processing Time

The child’s passport is not allowed to be renewed. Each time it expires, you have to pay CAD 100 to get a new child’s passport until the owner has reached 16.

Adult passport fees differ according to the period of validity you choose. A 5-year passport costs CAD 190 while a 10-year one costs CAD 260.

The regular processing time outside Canada takes 20 business days (about one month). To get the new passport quickly, you are suggested to schedule an appointment to submit the application in advance and an appointment to collect the passport as soon as you receive the notification.

FAQ

👉 Can I renew my Canadian passport overseas online?

No. Canadian citizens are not allowed to renew passport online outside Canada.

👉 What to do if I lost my passport overseas?

Report the loss to local police and apply for a replacement from a local embassy or consulate.

👉 Can I come back to Canada with an expired passport?

No. You should renew it. If you have to return to Canada urgently, contact the nearest Government of Canada office abroad for urgent services.

👉 Can I travel with an expired passport?

No. An expired passport is no longer valid. Therefore, you should pay attention to the expiry date on your passport and obtain a new one in advance in case of delaying your trip. 

Summary

All travelers must hold a valid passport to travel internationally. Canadian citizens are no exception. If your passport expires or will expire during your stay in Hong Kong, you should renew your passport in HK. If your child reaches 16 and the child’s passport expires, he/she should replace it with an adult’s. If the child remains under 16, you should get another new child’s passport for him/her.