Who is eligible for a HKSAR Re-entry Permit in 2026?
Two groups of Hong Kong residents qualify for a HKSAR Re-entry Permit: Chinese citizens who have either acquired the right of abode or been granted unconditional stay in Hong Kong, and residents who are not of Chinese nationality, have been granted unconditional stay, but cannot obtain a national passport or travel document of any other country or region. The Hong Kong Immigration Department sets out this eligibility on its Travel Documents page in the Frequently Asked Questions section, and this article reflects that official page as of October 2026. The permit exists for one purpose: travel to the Mainland and the Macao Special Administrative Region.
Who does not need one at Hong Kong immigration control?
Many residents who qualify never apply, because another document already gets them through the checkpoint. At Hong Kong immigration control points travelling to or from the Mainland or Macao SAR, a Hong Kong resident does not need a Re-entry Permit if they can produce:
- For residents aged 11 or above: a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card issued locally, or a Hong Kong Identity Card bearing the
*,***orRsymbol. - For minors aged below 11: a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card issued locally and a valid HKSAR passport.
Two conditions sit alongside that exemption. For entering or departing the Mainland, the traveller must meet the documentation requirements of the Mainland authorities, such as a Home Visit Permit. For entering or departing the Macao SAR, a Hong Kong permanent resident aged below 11 who does not hold a valid HKSAR Re-entry Permit must produce a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card and a valid HKSAR passport for identification.
Because eligibility depends on your own status rather than on a checklist you can self-assess, treat this as general information about published rules and not as advice on your case; confirm against the Immigration Department's latest published requirements or take professional advice before you rely on it.
Why would a resident still apply?
The permit covers a gap that identity cards do not. A resident who is not of Chinese nationality and has unconditional stay but cannot obtain any national passport or travel document has no passport to pair with an identity card, and residents below 11 who travel without a valid HKSAR passport fall into the exemption gap above. Chinese citizens with the right of abode or unconditional stay may also want one as a standalone document for repeated Mainland and Macao travel.
Single or multiple: which type fits your travel pattern?
Two types are issued, and the difference is the number of journeys and the validity period, not the eligibility rules.
| Type | Validity | Journeys |
|---|---|---|
| Single Re-entry Permit | 6 months | One journey |
| Multiple Re-entry Permit | 5 years | Multiple journeys |
If you cross to the Mainland or Macao regularly, the multiple permit removes the need to reapply each time. If you need one trip, the single permit matches that use.
How do you apply, and where?
You can submit an application in Hong Kong or in the Mainland. In Hong Kong, applications go to the Travel Documents and Nationality (Application) Section or any Immigration Branch Office, and you can make an appointment through the 24-hour telephone booking system at (852) 2598 0888, online at the GOV.HK travel document booking service, or through the Immigration Department Mobile Application.
What documents and photographs does the application need?
One recent photograph is required. It must show the applicant full face and without a hat, be smaller than 55 × 45 mm and larger than 50 × 40 mm, and have a plain light-coloured background. Self-service photographic kiosks are available at the Travel Documents and Nationality (Application) Section and all Immigration Branch Offices.
For a child under 11, the Form for Countersignature (Form ID 641) is only needed if you cannot produce the latest school document bearing the child's photograph authenticated by the school, or other proof of identity. Any person aged 18 or above who knows the child can act as counter-signatory, except the child's parent or guardian. The counter-signatory does not need to attend in person, but a completed Form ID 641 must be submitted with a photocopy of the counter-signatory's Hong Kong identity card or valid travel document bearing their signature.
How long does processing take, and when is the fee paid?
Processing depends on where you apply and how you submit.
- In Hong Kong, in person: if all supporting documents are provided at submission, the application can normally be processed and issued to the applicant on the same day.
- In Hong Kong, by post or drop-in: an extra two to three working days may be required, and the time spent mailing the application is excluded. Working days are Monday to Friday excluding general holidays.
- Collection: applicants can generally collect the new permit on the next working day after the Immigration Department completes processing.
- In the Mainland: a replacement application normally takes 4 to 6 weeks upon receipt of all necessary documents and photograph, excluding the time for forwarding the application.
If a previous Re-entry Permit is lost, damaged, defaced or is not available, the applicant must complete Form ID 645, and processing may take longer. The application fee is collected at the time of collection, and payment can be made by EPS, Octopus, FPS, Mainland e-wallets (Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay App only), cash, or a crossed cheque payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region". Post-dated cheques are not accepted, and applications sent by post or drop-in should not include cash or a cheque. The fee amount is set out in the Immigration Department's published fee table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Re-entry Permit if I already hold a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card?
Usually not for the Hong Kong side of the journey. If you are 11 or above and hold a valid locally issued Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card, or a Hong Kong Identity Card bearing *, *** or R, you can pass through Hong Kong immigration control to or from the Mainland or Macao SAR without one. You still have to meet the Mainland authorities' own entry and departure documentation requirements.
Can a non-Chinese national get a HKSAR Re-entry Permit?
Yes, if they have been granted unconditional stay in Hong Kong and cannot obtain a national passport or travel document of any other country or region. This is the second eligibility group listed by the Immigration Department, separate from the Chinese-citizen group.
Is a Re-entry Permit the same as a HKSAR Passport?
No. A Re-entry Permit is issued for travel to the Mainland and the Macao SAR, while a HKSAR Passport is applied for by Chinese citizens who hold a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card and have the right of abode, and is stated to be valid for all countries. A HKSAR passport holder can also keep and travel on a foreign passport, which is regarded in Hong Kong and other parts of China as a travel document only.
How long is each type valid?
The single Re-entry Permit is valid for 6 months for one journey, and the multiple Re-entry Permit is valid for 5 years for multiple journeys. Frequent travellers usually choose the multiple permit to avoid repeat applications.
Can I apply for my child under 11 without a school document?
Yes, but you then need the Form for Countersignature (Form ID 641). You can avoid it by producing the latest school document bearing the child's photograph authenticated by the school, such as a student handbook or school record card with the child's name, date of birth and photograph, or other proof of identity. The counter-signatory must be 18 or above, know the child, and cannot be the child's parent or guardian.
What happens if my previous Re-entry Permit was lost?
You must complete Form ID 645, and the Immigration Department warns that processing may take longer than the standard time.