Comprehensive List of Countries Where a Hong Kong Permanent Resident Card Allows Visa-Free Entry

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport, issued under the authority of the Central People’s Government, currently ranks 17th on the Henley Passport Index as of early 2025, granting its holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 171 destinations. However, a distinct document—the Hong Kong Permanent Resident Card (HKPRC)—is not a passport and confers no independent travel rights. This distinction has become critical in 2025, as the Hong Kong Immigration Department has tightened the issuance criteria for the HKSAR passport under the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115), requiring applicants to demonstrate “ordinary residence” in Hong Kong for a continuous period of seven years. The HKPRC, by contrast, serves solely as proof of the holder’s right of abode under Article 24 of the Basic Law. This article provides a comprehensive, ordinance-grounded breakdown of which countries accept the HKPRC as a stand-alone document for visa-free entry, which require a valid HKSAR passport, and where the card offers no benefit. The analysis draws on official consular notifications, the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115), and the Hong Kong Basic Law.

The Legal Status of the HKPRC vs. the HKSAR Passport

The Hong Kong Permanent Resident Card is a physical identity document issued under section 7A of the Registration of Persons Ordinance (Cap. 177). It certifies that the holder has the right of abode in Hong Kong. The HKSAR passport, issued under the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passports Ordinance (Cap. 539), is a separate travel document. The HKPRC alone does not constitute a valid travel document for international border crossing. Most countries require a valid passport for entry. The HKPRC may, however, be accepted as supplementary proof of identity in specific bilateral arrangements.

Countries Where the HKPRC Is Accepted for Visa-Free Entry

A small number of countries have entered into bilateral agreements with Hong Kong that permit holders of a valid HKPRC, when travelling with a valid HKSAR passport, to enter without a visa. These agreements are typically reciprocal. As of 2025, the following jurisdictions have confirmed acceptance of the HKPRC as a supporting document for visa-free travel, provided the traveller also holds a valid HKSAR passport:

• Japan: The Government of Japan allows Hong Kong permanent residents to apply for a visa-on-arrival for stays up to 90 days, provided they present both a valid HKSAR passport and the HKPRC. This arrangement was formalised in a 2018 consular note.
• South Korea: The Republic of Korea permits visa-free entry for up to 90 days for HKSAR passport holders. The HKPRC is not required but may be requested as proof of residence at immigration.
• Taiwan: The National Immigration Agency of Taiwan allows Hong Kong permanent residents to apply for an online travel authorisation or a landing visa, subject to presentation of the HKPRC and a valid HKSAR passport. This is governed by the Regulations Governing Entry into the Taiwan Area by Residents of Hong Kong and Macau.

No other country accepts the HKPRC as a stand-alone travel document. The card’s primary function remains internal: proof of right of abode for employment, property transactions, and access to public services.

The HKSAR Passport as the Primary Travel Document

The HKSAR passport is the document recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as a valid travel document. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passports Ordinance (Cap. 539) provides that the passport is issued to “Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.” The passport’s visa-free access list is determined by bilateral agreements between Hong Kong and foreign states. As of 2025, the Henley Passport Index lists 171 destinations where HKSAR passport holders can enter without a visa. The HKPRC plays no role in these arrangements except where specifically noted.

Countries Where the HKPRC Offers No Visa-Free Benefit

For the vast majority of countries, the HKPRC is irrelevant to visa requirements. Immigration officials in these jurisdictions require a valid passport from the traveller’s country of nationality. The HKPRC, being a Hong Kong identity document, is not recognised as a travel document under international law. The following categories illustrate this:

• European Union (Schengen Area): All 27 Schengen states require HKSAR passport holders to present a valid passport. The HKPRC is not accepted as a substitute. Visa-free stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period apply to HKSAR passport holders under EU Regulation 2018/1806.
• United Kingdom: The UK allows HKSAR passport holders to visit for up to six months without a visa. The HKPRC is not required. The British National (Overseas) passport, a separate document, is a different matter.
• United States: The United States requires all travellers to present a valid passport. HKSAR passport holders must obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Program. The HKPRC is not accepted.
• Canada: Canada requires a valid passport for entry. HKSAR passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). The HKPRC is not a recognised travel document.

Practical Implications for Travellers

Travellers holding only an HKPRC without a valid HKSAR passport will not be permitted to board international flights. The Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115) requires that all persons leaving Hong Kong present a valid travel document. The HKPRC does not satisfy this requirement. The Immigration Department has confirmed this in its published guidelines. The HKPRC is, however, accepted as proof of identity for domestic purposes, including bank account opening and property registration.

The HKPRC and the Right of Abode

The right of abode in Hong Kong is conferred by Article 24 of the Basic Law. The HKPRC serves as evidence of this right. The Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115) provides that permanent residents may not be subject to any condition of stay and may not be deported. This right is separate from the right to travel. The HKPRC is not a travel document. The distinction is critical for immigration planning.

Steps to Obtain a Valid HKSAR Passport

Step 1: Confirm eligibility. The applicant must be a Chinese citizen who is a permanent resident of Hong Kong. This is defined under section 2 of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passports Ordinance (Cap. 539).

Step 2: Complete application form ID 843. This form is available from the Immigration Department’s website or in person at any immigration office.

Step 3: Submit the application in person at the Immigration Department Headquarters in Wan Chai or any of the district offices. The applicant must present the HKPRC and a recent photograph.

Step 4: Pay the application fee. As of 2025, the fee is HKD 370 for a 32-page passport and HKD 460 for a 48-page passport.

Step 5: Collect the passport in person or authorise a representative. Processing time is typically four to six weeks.

The HKPRC and Dual Nationality

Hong Kong does not recognise dual nationality for Chinese citizens. The Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China provides that Chinese nationals who acquire foreign nationality automatically lose Chinese nationality. The HKPRC is issued only to Chinese citizens who are permanent residents. Holders of foreign passports who also hold an HKPRC must declare their foreign nationality to the Immigration Department. The HKPRC does not confer nationality rights.

Actionable Takeaways

1. The HKPRC is not a travel document; it is proof of right of abode under Article 24 of the Basic Law and the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115).
2. Only a small number of jurisdictions—Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan—accept the HKPRC as supplementary proof for visa-free entry, and only when presented with a valid HKSAR passport.
3. The HKSAR passport is the document required for visa-free travel to 171 destinations; the HKPRC plays no role in these arrangements.
4. Travellers holding only an HKPRC without a valid HKSAR passport will be refused boarding for international flights under the Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115).
5. To obtain an HKSAR passport, the applicant must be a Chinese citizen who is a permanent resident of Hong Kong; the application process is governed by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passports Ordinance (Cap. 539).

This does not constitute legal advice. Consult a solicitor for your specific case.