Are you currently in Canada and your Hong Kong Sar Passport is due to expire? Canada has implemented measures to support Hong Kong residents to come. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about going back to Hong Kong and dealing with the renewal of HK passport. You can renew it right here in Canada in several ways.

When to renew the HKSAR passport

Usually, HK passport renewal can be started 9 months before the date of expiration, but if you need to renew your passport sooner, you can submit relevant documents for approval. For example, if you want to apply for a visa that requires months of passport validity after your stay in the destination country, you can renew your HK passport earlier than usual. Besides, the renewal process may take weeks. Make sure you take the processing time into consideration and that your new passport is issued before your departure.

How to renew Hong Kong Sar passport overseas

As we mentioned in the beginning, there is no need to renew your HKSAR passport in Hong Kong. You can simply renew Hong Kong passport overseas and there are numerous ways to do it. Check out the following procedures:

Apply by post

Renewing your passport by post is easy. Just make sure you have collected the proper documents. Follow these steps:

1.  Gather the necessary documents as follows:

  • A filled out form ID 841.
  • Photocopies of HKIC.
  • Photocopies of your passport which is going to expire.
  • 3 passport photos. The photos should be recent and in color. Don’t attach them to your application with a stapler or a paper clip.
  • A check or money order issued to the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This is for the passport renewal fee.

2.  After you have all the required documents, put them in an envelope and mail it to a nearby Embassy of China. Remember to check the postage rate so that your mail won’t be delayed.

Apply online

If you are more than 17 years old, you are eligible to renew your HK passport online through the Immigration Department website. Renewing your passport online is convenient, quick and recommended. Here are the steps:

immigration department website
  • Then, go to GovHK: Online Application for HKSAR Passport and click the green button saying “Application through the Internet for HKSAR Passport”.
  • Follow the instructions and fill in the personal information required including your Chinese name, HK permanent identity card number, etc.
complete required information
  • Upload your digital passport photo and other necessary documents. The documents should be in the format of JPEG, GIF or TIF while the photo file should be within 5 GB.
  • Make the payment online. Either Mastercard or Visa is acceptable.

Please be cautious when you fill in the information on the website because you may have to start over if there is a mistake and the fee will not be refunded.

Apply in person

Alternatively, you can choose to renew your passport in person in Canada if the location is convenient for you. Follow the below steps:

1.  Make an appointment with the Embassy of China in Ottawa, Canada.

  • Telephone: +1-613-4550117
  • E-mail: ottawa@csm.mfa.gov.cn

2.  Gather necessary documents.

3.  Go to the Embassy of China in Ottawa on the scheduled date and time. All applications for HKSAR renew passport should be submitted to the office in Ottawa.

● Address: 515 St. Patrick Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 5H3

● Working hours:

9:00 am – 12:00 am, Monday to Friday (except Chinese and Canadian public holidays)

For application submission: 9:00 am – 11:30 am

For payment and collection: 9:00 am – 12:00 am

Generally speaking, you can go directly to the Embassy during working hours, but it is best you make an appointment in advance.

HKSAR passport renewal for child

If you are renewing a HKSAR passport for your child in Canada, the options you have are similar to the adults. Both online and offline methods are available for applicants under 17 years old. You can choose the way that is suitable for you. However, the documents required for children applicants are different and you may apply for them as if it is for the first time. In the following passage, we are going to talk about the documents required for Hong Kong passport renewal overseas, including documents for children applicants.

Required documents for HKSAR passport renewal

The documents required for HKSAR passport renewal depend on the applicants’ age. The younger you are, the more documents you may be asked to provide. Refer to the below table:

Age of Applicants
Required Documents18 or above16 or 17 (Married)16 or 17 (not married)15 or under10 or under
completed application form
recent passport photo in color
HK identity card or valid travel documents (if he is not an HK resident) of a consenting parent or a legal guardian
Birth Certificate of the minor
Marriage Certificate (if the applicant got married in HK, it is not required.)
School documents certified by a chop of the school

Hong Kong passport photo requirements

Before you submit your HK passport photo, you need to make sure the photo meets the official requirements, or your application for renewal may be rejected. Here are the standards:

  • The photo size should be 50 mm (height) x 40 mm (width)
  • A plain white background is required.
  • The applicant should face the front. The height from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin is around 35 mm.
  • For online submission, the requirement is 1200 x 1600 pixels. The file size should be within 5MB. The resolution must be 600 dpi and the file format must be JPEG.
  • Head coverings, accessories and heavy makeup are not allowed.
  • Daily clothes are suggested. You should wear a color contrast to the background, such as black or red.
hksar passport photo

Getting an HK passport photo that meets the above standards can be tricky. You can either go to a photo studio to have someone take the photo for you, or you can simply generate a compliant photo at home through AiPassportphotos, an online HKSAR passport photo maker. Once you upload a photo taken by yourself, it will automatically resize and change the background of the photo to a compliant standard, making sure your digital passport photo is ready for both submission and printing. Plus, it is completely free. It saves you much time, effort and cost.

Hong Kong SAR passport renewal processing time

The process for renewing a Hong Kong SAR passport usually takes 5 working days after all the documents and fees are accepted. Online applications may take 2 to 3 more working days. However, for applicants who apply in Canada, extra time is needed for dispatching the renewed passports. It depends on the delivery service provided by Hong Kong Post. Therefore, if you have travel plans, keep in mind to allow enough time for the passport renewal process and delivery.

Hong Kong passport renewal fee

HKSAR renew passport fee depends on the applicant’s age and the type of passport book you want. There are 2 types of passport books. The regular one has 32 pages while the larger one has 48 pages. See the below table:

Age of ApplicantsValidityType of Passport BookFees
16 or above10 yearsRegularHK$370
16 or above10 yearsLargeHK$460
under 165 yearsRegularHK$185
under 165 yearsLargeHK$230

FAQ

How long is a HKSAR passport valid for?

If you are 16 years old and older, the HKSAR passport you apply for is valid for 10 years. If you are under 16 years old, the passport is valid for 5 years.

Does HK allow dual citizenship?

No. Hong Kong does not recognize dual citizenship.

Does a HKSAR passport need a visa to Canada?

No. HKSAR passport holders do not necessarily need a visa to Canada. However, they need to obtain an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) to visit Canada.

Can you renew Hong Kong ID card overseas?

No. If you are abroad and your Hong Kong ID card is invalid, you have to return to Hong Kong for renewal or replacement within 30 days.

How do I make an appointment for HKSAR passport renewal?

You can make an appointment for HKSAR passport renewal online through the website or moible app of Immigration Department.

Conclusion

Renewing your HKSAR passport in Canada can be an easy task once you understand the process and requirements. We have demonstrated the online and offline procedures. Choose one that is suitable for your circumstances and follow the instructions. Please be reminded that in case your old passport is lost or damaged, these procedures will not apply. You need to deal with the loss or damage in person at a Hong Kong immigration office.

By Dolores Xiao

I am a content creator and marketer with over 5 years of professional writing experience. I hold a bachelor's degree in communications and have a natural curiosity about technology, as evidenced by my technology blog. As an avid traveler, I draw upon adventures in over 10 countries to inject unique cultural perspectives into my articles and social media campaigns. I thrive on developing engaging content that informs and inspires audiences.