China Visa RequirementsFor Hong Kong passport holders
HKSAR passport holders traveling to mainland China on their HKSAR passport require a visa. However, most HKSAR permanent residents use the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Home Return Permit, known as the ๅไนก่ฏ) which is the standard travel document for entering mainland China, not the HKSAR passport.
Hong Kong passport holders require a visa to enter China.
For HKSAR permanent residents of Chinese nationality: obtain a Home Return Permit from the Immigration Department of Hong Kong. This is the standard document for mainland travel and does not require a separate visa. For holders traveling on the HKSAR passport without a Home Return Permit: apply for a mainland China visa at the China Visa Application Service Center in Hong Kong. Required documents include the HKSAR passport, completed application form, photos, and supporting documents. Fee: approximately USD 140 for a standard single-entry visa. Multi-entry visas are also available at different fees.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
HKSAR Passport
Valid HKSAR passport.
Completed China Visa Application Form
Form V.2013 available at the China Visa Application Service Center.
Recent Passport-Size Photograph
Color photo with white background meeting Chinese visa specifications.
Proof of Travel Itinerary
Flight bookings and hotel reservations for China visit.
Proof of Accommodation
Hotel reservation or invitation letter from a Chinese host with ID copy.
Visa Application Fee
Approximately USD 140 for a single-entry visa.
Home Return Permit (if applicable) Recommended
HKSAR permanent residents of Chinese nationality should obtain a Home Return Permit (ๅไนก่ฏ) instead of applying for a visa.
Current Travel Situation
Hong Kong to China: What You Need to Know
This is one of the most nuanced entries in the database. Under "One Country, Two Systems," Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, but it maintains a separate immigration and customs territory. HKSAR permanent residents who are Chinese nationals hold a Home Return Permit (ๅไนก่ฏ, Hui Xiang Zheng) specifically for travel to mainland China. This is the practical travel document used by the vast majority of HK residents. Non-permanent residents of Hong Kong, or permanent residents who have lost or not yet obtained their Home Return Permit, traveling to mainland China on their HKSAR passport must apply for a visa at the Visa Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Hong Kong. The HKSAR passport itself is not recognized as sufficient for visa-free entry to the mainland.
How to Get There
Macau is a separate SAR and HKSAR holders can visit Macau without a visa (Macau is treated separately). Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and the Greater Bay Area are the most common mainland destinations from Hong Kong.
Money & Banking
Mainland China uses the Chinese Yuan (CNY/RMB). Costs vary enormously by city and region. Budget CNY 300-700 per day for comfortable mid-range travel. WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate digital payments in mainland China; international credit cards have limited acceptance outside major hotels.
Practical Tips
By air from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG): direct flights to Beijing (PEK/PKX), Shanghai (PVG/SHA), and dozens of other Chinese cities. By rail: the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link connects Hong Kong West Kowloon to Guangzhou in 1 hour and to cities across China's high-speed rail network. By road: cross the Shenzhen-Hong Kong border at Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To, and other crossing points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do HKSAR passport holders need a visa for mainland China?
It depends on your resident status. HKSAR permanent residents of Chinese nationality typically use a Home Return Permit (ๅไนก่ฏ) for mainland China travel, not the HKSAR passport. Those traveling on an HKSAR passport without a Home Return Permit need a visa.
What is the Home Return Permit (ๅไนก่ฏ)?
The Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (ๅไนก่ฏ, Hui Xiang Zheng) is the standard document for HKSAR permanent residents of Chinese nationality to enter mainland China. It is issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department and does not require a separate visa. Apply at the Immigration Tower in Wan Chai.
If I use my HKSAR passport without a Home Return Permit, what visa do I need?
Apply for a mainland China visa at the Visa Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Hong Kong, or through the China Visa Application Service Center. Cost is approximately USD 140 for a standard single-entry visa.
What is the "One Country, Two Systems" framework?
Under the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, Hong Kong operates as a Special Administrative Region with a high degree of autonomy until at least 2047. This includes a separate customs territory, currency, legal system, and immigration policy. However, travel between Hong Kong and mainland China is treated as crossing into a separate jurisdiction.
What are the main border crossings between Hong Kong and mainland China?
By rail: the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link from West Kowloon Station connects to Guangzhou in 1 hour and the national high-speed rail network. By road: Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To, and Sha Tau Kok boundary crossings. By ferry: cross-boundary ferry terminals to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and Macau.
What currency is used in mainland China?
The Chinese Yuan (CNY, also called Renminbi/RMB). The Hong Kong Dollar is not accepted on the mainland. WeChat Pay and Alipay (linked to mainland bank accounts or with foreign card top-up) dominate payments in China. International credit cards are accepted at major hotels.
What are the top destinations in mainland China for visitors?
Beijing (Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven), Shanghai (Bund, Yu Garden), Guilin and Yangshuo (karst mountains), Xi'an (Terracotta Army), Chengdu (giant pandas), Zhangjiajie (glass-bottom bridge and mountain scenery), and the Yangtze River cruise.
What visa do non-permanent residents of Hong Kong need for mainland China?
Non-permanent residents of Hong Kong (e.g., foreign domestic helpers, expatriates) traveling to mainland China on their foreign passport follow that passport's visa rules. Those using an HKSAR passport (non-permanent residents) need a visa from the China Visa Application Service Center.