You are ready to travel internationally but find that your HK passport will expire soon. Therefore, it is better for you to renew it before your trip in case the expired passport delays your trip. Hong Kong government is encouraging more Chinese Hong Kong residents to renew their passports by offering some convenient and easy ways. In this article, you will learn all the necessary information on how and where HK passport holders can renew their passports, both in Hong Kong and abroad.
How to Renew a Hong Kong Passport
Since the Hong Kong government is concerned about the convenience of citizens, it offers different ways for residents to apply for a passport renewal, such as online or Immigration Department Mobile Application, in person at Hong Kong immigration offices, or by using a self-service available at the passport collection kiosk, by post or drop-in. Here, we will describe these passport renewal methods in more detail.
Passport Renewal at Hong Kong Immigration Offices
The earliest and most basic way for you to renew your passport is to visit Immigration Headquarters or any of the Immigration Branch Offices face to face, where the officials carefully and patiently guide you on how to renew your passport.
- You need to make an online appointment before the visit, choosing the nearest immigration office and the appropriate date and time. Here you will have 20 minutes to make an appointment.
- On the appointment day, you’d better get there 30 minutes before the scheduled time.
- When you go to the immigration office, you must submit the following documents:
- Provide a completed form ID 841.
- Provide 3 printed passport photos.
- Provide a copy of your Hong Kong identity card.
- And other supporting documents, such as marriage certificates, if needed.
- Pay for passport renewal with cash or cards.
You should keep all the documents above separate and clean, which means you can’t fold, staple all the documents, or write on the back of the photo. Otherwise, they won’t accept your documents because of unqualified documents or damaged photos. If you wish to renew a passport due to loss, damage or modification of personal details, you must only submit a replacement application in person at the counter. Fsor children under 16 and unmarried persons aged 16 or 17, they must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian in person to obtain a passport renewal.
Passport Renewal at Travel Document Submission Kiosk
Independent and eligible applicants can use self-service passport kiosks to submit passport replacement applications. These stations are usually located close to Immigration Branch offices. To renew your passport, you must read and follow the instructions on screen carefully.
- Place your HK identity card into a card reader or Acknowledgement of application for a Hong Kong permanent identity card(ROP140/140A) to let the machine scan the citizen’s HKSAR identity.
- You need to perform fingerprint verification on the machine.
- You can take live photos at a kiosk, or you can upload a scanned photo.
- Enter application data or scan the completed application form.
- Verify documents and sign your name on them.
- Pay the application fee by EPS / Octopus / FPS, and get the collection notice and receipt before you leave the office.
- You can choose to collect a new passport in person at Passport Collection Kiosk, get it by SMS mail.
Passport Renewal Online
Of course, if you don’t want to go out and renew your passport, you can apply for passport renewal online at home. You will have 20 minutes to submit an online application. Follow the steps below to help you quickly complete the online application.
- Launch the website on your browser.
- Select the application type for HKSAR passport replacement.
- Fill in basic personal details, such as the applicant’s name, date of birth and HK permanent identity card number.
- Upload a digital passport photo in JPEG format with 5Mbytes or less.
- Attach some supporting documents, such as the uploaded file format is accepted for 2Mbytes or less in JPEG, GIF, TIF or PDF format.
- Confirm the written information if they are all correct.
- Pay the passport renewal fee.
- Wait for your new passport for 5-8 working days.
Renew Hong Kong Passport Overseas
Yes, you can renew your Hong Kong passport abroad by visiting the Hong Kong Embassy, sending the application by post, or completing it online. The steps for replacing your passport are almost the same in Hong Kong. You can collect your passport at one of China’s diplomatic and consular missions, so you don’t need to come back to China to get a new passport.
Hong Kong Passport Photo Requirements
Applicants must submit passport photos with a plain white background for passport renewal. See the photo requirements below:
- The photo should show your full and clear facial features, with no hair covering your eyes or eyebrows.
- The photo size must be 40mm (width) X 50mm (height). The size from chin to crown should be 32mm to 36mm.
- No shadow on your face, and avoid too light or too dark photos.
- No glasses to avoid flash reflections on the face.
- You need to avoid heavy makeup.
- You should make a difference between you and the white background, so don’t dress too dark or too light-coloured.
- If you upload it online, the uploaded digital passport photo should be JPEG in 5Mbytes or less.
How to Make Hong Kong Passport Photos Online
If you don’t want to go to a photo shop to take a passport photo, you can make it yourself at home. After you ask your friend or family member to take a photo for you, you upload it to AiPassportPhotos online passport photo tool to get a compliant one. Let AI technology help you crop the correct size automatically and change the background color in seconds. And get your passport photo 100% acceptable online.
Step 1: Take a photo using your cellphone or a camera. Make sure to follow the official HK passport photo requirements.
Step 2: Upload your photo to AiPassportPhotos. The passport photo maker will start scanning your picture and crop the compliant passport photo for you within seconds.
Step 3: Preview and download the online passport photo. Download the passport photo for free if you are satisfied with the result.
Step 4: Download a single version or a printed version on the resulting page.
How Long Is the Passport Valid?
According to the Hong Kong passport rules, an adult’s passport is valid for 10 years, while a child’s passport is 5 years. Hong Kong residents should renew their passports six months before they expire.
How Strong is the Hong Kong Passport?
The Hong Kong passport is highly powerful, offering extensive global mobility. It grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 170 countries and territories, including major destinations across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. This makes it exceptionally advantageous for both leisure and business travelers, ensuring a high degree of travel freedom and international accessibility. Read this article to learn everything about Hong Kong passport visa-free countries in 2024.
Closing Thought
There are many ways to renew your passport in Hong Kong. You don’t need to leave your home 100% hassle-free. With the online passport application and AiPassportPhotos photo editor, you can take your passport photo at home with comfort.
Dolores Xiao