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Hong Kong (SAR China) to China visa requirements

Q: What is the Home Return Permit?

It is the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, a card-style travel document used by eligible Hong Kong and Macao residents to enter and leave mainland China.

Q: How long is it valid and how much does it cost?

For Chinese-citizen Hong Kong residents, the regular Home Return Permit is valid for 10 years for applicants aged 18 or above and 5 years for applicants under 18. CTS lists standard fees of HK$390 for adults and HK$260 for children.

Q: What if my permit expired, was lost, or I never obtained one?

Apply for renewal or replacement through CTS. If you urgently need to travel from Hong Kong to the mainland, CTS may handle a one-time PRC Exit-entry Permit for eligible cases; it is not the same as the 7-day electronic temporary pass.

Q: What is the 7-day electronic temporary pass?

It is an NIA online pass for Hong Kong, Macao, or Taiwan residents who have already been in mainland China and need urgent domestic air or rail travel after losing, damaging, or forgetting their permit. It does not replace the entry permit for travel from Hong Kong to the mainland.

Q: I am a non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent resident. What do I use?

Since 10 July 2024, eligible non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents can apply for the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens), valid for 5 years with multiple entries and stays up to 90 days each for short-term purposes. It does not authorize work, study, or journalism without the proper visa or stay/residence document.

A Hong Kong SAR passport alone is not the document for entering mainland China. Hong Kong residents normally need a Mainland Travel Permit / Home Return Permit (回乡证), while eligible non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents use the non-Chinese-citizen Mainland Travel Permit. Hong Kong residents can clear Hong Kong immigration with Hong Kong identity or re-entry documents, but mainland checkpoints require the documents specified by mainland authorities, such as the Home Return Permit. For Hong Kong permanent residents who are Chinese citizens, the normal document is the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, commonly called the Home Return Permit (回乡证), applied for through China Travel Service in Hong Kong and issued by the mainland exit-entry authorities. It is valid for 10 years for applicants aged 18 or above and 5 years for applicants under 18; CTS lists standard processing at 12 working days, urgent processing at 5 working days where accepted, and standard first/renewal fees of HK$390 for adults and HK$260 for children. Since 10 July 2024, non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents may apply for the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens) for short-term purposes such as investment, visiting relatives, tourism, business, seminars, and exchanges; it is valid for 5 years, allows multiple entries with stays up to 90 days each, takes 20 working days, and costs HK$260 for a first application in Hong Kong. The non-Chinese permit does not authorize work, study, or journalism without the proper visa or stay/residence document. If a Hong Kong resident's Home Return Permit is lost, invalid, or never obtained and urgent mainland travel is needed, CTS may handle a one-time PRC Exit-entry Permit valid for three months and one entry-exit; this is separate from the 7-day electronic temporary pass introduced on 20 March 2025, which is for mainland domestic air/rail travel after a permit is lost, damaged, or forgotten, not a substitute entry document.

VISA REQUIREDTOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-21

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →Hong Kong (PR)Living in Hong Kong (SAR China) as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-21

Visa type

Mainland Travel Permit / Home Return Permit (回乡证) or non-Chinese-citizen Mainland Travel Permit; HKSAR passport alone is not the mainland entry document

Maximum stay

Chinese-citizen permit holders are not under a visitor-stay cap; non-Chinese permit holders: up to 90 days per entry

per entry

Entries

Multiple while permit remains valid; PRC Exit-entry Permit fallback is one-time

from issue date

Visa fee

Home Return Permit standard: HK$390 adult / HK$260 child; non-Chinese permit first application: HK$260

consular fee only

Processing time

Home Return Permit: 12 working days standard, 5 working days urgent where accepted; non-Chinese permit: 20 working days

standard track

Validity

Home Return Permit: 10 years age 18+ / 5 years under 18; non-Chinese permit: 5 years

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm the correct document route

Chinese-citizen Hong Kong residents use the Home Return Permit. Non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents use the non-Chinese-citizen Mainland Travel Permit. A Hong Kong SAR passport may support an application, but it is not a standalone mainland entry document.

· Required· Permit route

/02

Book with China Travel Service

Use the CTS Hong Kong appointment system for Home Return Permit or non-Chinese permit applications, then attend the selected service centre in person.

· Online appointment· CTS Hong Kong

/03

Prepare identity and nationality documents

For a Home Return Permit, bring Hong Kong identity documents, compliant photos, proof of Chinese nationality where required, and a valid Hong Kong travel document if requested. Non-Chinese applicants need a Hong Kong permanent identity document, a valid ordinary passport, and nationality proof.

· HKID· Nationality proof

/04

Submit biometrics and pay the fee

Attend the CTS office, submit the application and supporting documents, provide required biometrics, and pay the applicable fee: HK$390 adult / HK$260 child for a standard Home Return Permit, or HK$260 for the non-Chinese permit first application.

· In person· HK$260-390

/05

Collect the permit card

CTS lists 12 working days for standard Home Return Permit processing and 20 working days for the non-Chinese permit. Collect the card using the receipt and identity document.

· 12 or 20 working days

/06

Travel with the permit

Present the permit card at the mainland checkpoint and use self-service channels where eligible. Do not rely on the HKSAR passport alone for mainland entry.

· Permit card· Checkpoint

/07

Use temporary routes only when eligible

For urgent travel from Hong Kong after a Home Return Permit is lost, invalid, or never obtained, ask CTS about the one-time PRC Exit-entry Permit. The 7-day electronic temporary pass is for domestic air/rail checks inside mainland China, not for first entry from Hong Kong.

· Fallback only

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

14 items

Personalized checklist

Hong Kong (SAR China) -> China · Mainland Travel Permit / Home Return Permit (回乡证) or non-Chinese-citizen Mainland Travel Permit; HKSAR passport alone is not the mainland entry document

0 / 14 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredHong Kong permanent identity card or other eligible Hong Kong identity document