Everything You Need to Know About Applying for a Hong Kong Home Return Permit as a Dual Citizen

In late 2024, the China National Immigration Administration (CNIA) announced a significant streamlining of the application process for the Hong Kong Home Return Permit (回鄉證). Effective from 1 January 2025, the new policy permits eligible dual citizens to apply for the permit directly through designated China Travel Service (CTS) offices in Hong Kong and select mainland cities, without the prior requirement to formally renounce their foreign nationality. This change directly affects the estimated 340,000 Hong Kong permanent residents who hold a second passport, according to the 2021 Hong Kong Population Census thematic report. For these individuals, the Home Return Permit is not a travel document for tourism; it is the single gateway to mainland China for business, family visits, property management, and inheritance. The 2025 rule change removes a decades-old administrative bottleneck, but the application process remains layered with documentary requirements and nationality law implications under the Hong Kong Basic Law and the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China (NPC Decision of 1996). This article provides a procedural roadmap for dual citizens navigating this updated system.

The Legal Foundation: Nationality and the Permit

The NPC Decision of 1996 and the Basic Law

The Hong Kong Home Return Permit is governed by the Decision of the National People’s Congress on the Application of the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the 1996 NPC Decision). This decision establishes that a Hong Kong resident who is a Chinese citizen by birth or descent remains a Chinese national, even if they hold a foreign passport. The legislation provides that such foreign passports are not recognised as evidence of nationality within the Hong Kong SAR.

The court procedure is clear: a Hong Kong permanent resident who holds a foreign passport does not lose Chinese nationality automatically. The 1996 NPC Decision, read together with Article 24 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, defines a Chinese citizen as a person of Chinese descent born in Hong Kong or other parts of China. For dual citizens, the Home Return Permit application is the administrative mechanism that confirms their status as a Chinese national for the purpose of travelling to the mainland.

What the 2025 Change Actually Changes

Before 1 January 2025, a dual citizen applying for a Home Return Permit was required to submit a formal declaration renouncing their foreign nationality. This declaration, processed by the Hong Kong Immigration Department, was a prerequisite for CTS to process the permit. The 2025 CNIA circular removed this step. The procedure now is that the applicant must still declare their Chinese nationality on the application form, but they are no longer required to provide proof of renunciation.

The legislation provides that the permit itself does not confer or revoke nationality. It is a travel document issued to Chinese citizens resident in Hong Kong. The 2025 change is an administrative simplification, not a change in nationality law. The Hong Kong Immigration Department retains the authority to investigate cases of suspected dual nationality fraud.

Step-by-Step Application Procedure for Dual Citizens

Step 1: Determine Eligibility and Gather Documents

The court procedure is that you must be a Hong Kong permanent resident who is a Chinese citizen. The legislation provides that a Hong Kong permanent resident who holds a foreign passport is still a Chinese citizen for the purposes of the permit. The following documents are required:

• Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card: The original and a photocopy.
• Hong Kong Passport: If you hold one, provide a copy of the bio-data page. If you do not hold a Hong Kong passport, you must provide a certified copy of your birth certificate or proof of Chinese descent.
• Foreign Passport: You must declare all foreign passports you hold. The 2025 procedure requires that you submit a photocopy of the bio-data page of each foreign passport, but you are not required to surrender it.
• Application Form: Complete Form RO-1 (for adults) or RO-2 (for minors), available at any CTS office or online via the CTS Hong Kong website.
• Photographs: Two recent passport-size photographs (48mm x 33mm) with a white background, meeting the CNIA photo standards.

The legislation provides that if you have changed your name, you must provide supporting documents such as a marriage certificate or deed poll.

Step 2: Submit the Application at a CTS Office

The application must be submitted in person at a designated CTS office. As of 2025, there are 12 CTS offices in Hong Kong, with locations in Wan Chai, Kowloon Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Sha Tin. The procedure is that you must book an appointment online via the CTS Hong Kong website. Walk-in applications are not accepted.

The legislation provides that the processing time is 12 working days for a standard application. An express service is available for an additional fee, reducing the processing time to 5 working days. The standard fee as of 2025 is HKD 390 for adults.

Step 3: Attend the Interview and Provide Biometrics

At the appointment, a CTS officer will review your documents and conduct a brief interview. The court procedure is that the officer will ask you to confirm your Chinese nationality and your Hong Kong permanent resident status. The legislation provides that you must provide your fingerprints (thumbprints for both hands) and a digital photograph.

The interview is not a legal proceeding. The officer is verifying identity and eligibility, not adjudicating nationality. If the officer has doubts about your eligibility, they may refer your case to the Hong Kong Immigration Department for further investigation.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Pitfall 1: Failing to Declare All Foreign Passports

The most common reason for application rejection is incomplete disclosure of foreign passports. The legislation provides that you must declare every foreign passport you hold, even if it is expired or has been lost. The CNIA cross-references its database with the Hong Kong Immigration Department’s records. If an undeclared passport is discovered, the application will be rejected, and you may be banned from applying for a permit for 12 months.

The procedure is to list all foreign passports on the application form, including passport numbers and issuing countries. If you have lost a passport, provide a police report or a statutory declaration.

Pitfall 2: Incorrectly Declaring Your Nationality

The application form asks you to declare your nationality as “Chinese.” If you hold a foreign passport, you must still declare “Chinese” as your nationality for the purposes of the permit. The legislation provides that declaring “Chinese” is not a renunciation of your foreign nationality. It is a factual statement of your status under Hong Kong law.

The court procedure is that if you declare “Chinese,” you are confirming that you are a Chinese citizen under the 1996 NPC Decision. If you declare a foreign nationality, the application will be rejected because the permit is only issued to Chinese citizens.

Pitfall 3: Using an Expired Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card

Your Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card must be valid at the time of application. If your card has expired, you must renew it at the Immigration Department before applying for the Home Return Permit. The procedure is that a temporary identity card (a green slip) is not accepted as proof of permanent residence.

Renewal and Replacement Procedures

Renewal Before Expiry

The Home Return Permit is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 18. The legislation provides that you can apply for renewal up to 6 months before the expiry date. The procedure is identical to a new application, but you do not need to submit a new declaration of nationality if your circumstances have not changed.

The court procedure is that if your permit has been lost, stolen, or damaged, you must apply for a replacement. You must provide a police report for a lost or stolen permit. The replacement fee is HKD 200.

Change of Personal Details

If you change your name or your appearance changes significantly, you must apply for a new permit. The legislation provides that a name change requires supporting documents such as a marriage certificate or deed poll. A significant appearance change (e.g., after facial surgery) requires a new photograph and may require a new biometric scan.

Actionable Takeaways

1. Declare all foreign passports on your application form — failure to do so will result in a 12-month ban from applying for a Home Return Permit.
2. Book your CTS appointment online at least two weeks in advance — walk-in applications are not accepted, and appointment slots fill quickly during peak periods.
3. Renew your permit at least three months before expiry — the 12-working-day processing time does not include weekends or public holidays, and a lapsed permit can delay mainland travel plans.
4. Keep a certified copy of your application form and receipts — these documents are your proof of application and are required if you need to escalate a delay with the CNIA.
5. If you hold a foreign passport, do not surrender it — the 2025 procedure does not require renunciation, and your foreign passport remains valid for travel outside mainland China.

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