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Visa requirements for Chinese citizens of Hong Kong

Administrative entry restrictions From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Visa requirements for Chinese citizens of Hong Kong
This article is about visa requirements for holders of HKSAR passports. For entry requirements for British Nationals (Overseas), see Visa requirements for British Nationals (Overseas).

As of 2025, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders have visa-free or visa on arrival access to 169 countries and territories, ranking the passport 17th in the world according to the Henley Passport Index.[1] It is ranked 11th by the Global Passport Power Rank.[2] In practice, some countries and territories unfamiliar with the HKSAR passport, particularly in Latin America, would subject holders to visa requirement as ordinary Chinese passport holders, as HKSAR passport uses CHN as the machine identification code and cannot be automatically distinguished from ordinary Chinese passports.

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Cover of the latest version of an HKSAR biometric passport

The official figure provided by the Hong Kong Immigration Department of countries and territories granting visa-free access to Hong Kong SAR passport holders was 173 as of 4 February 2025. (However, this figure excludes countries and territories which are not officially recognised by the People's Republic of China, such as Kosovo, Taiwan and Somaliland, territories deemed to be under Chinese rule, such as Mainland China and Macao, as well as UN observer states, such as Palestine and Vatican City so the practical figure relevant to Hong Kong passport holders is actually much higher.) [3]

Due to the one country, two systems policy, the Government of Hong Kong can make a visa-waiver agreement for Chinese residents of Hong Kong with other countries. As a result of both bilateral visa abolition agreements (e.g. between Hong Kong and Russia[4]) and unilateral decisions to grant visa exemptions (e.g. Myanmar), HKSAR passport holders enjoy visa exemptions and simplified visa procedures to a large number of destinations worldwide. Whilst the visa exemptions are mostly only for short trips for pleasure or on business, a number of countries extend the visa exemption to short stays involving paid activities (e.g. Belgium and Luxembourg).

HKSAR passports are available to Chinese citizens who are also permanent residents of Hong Kong and hold a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card, many of whom also hold a British National (Overseas) passport by virtue of their previous status as British Overseas Territories citizens.

Visa requirements map

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Visa requirements for Chinese citizens of Hong Kong holding ordinary passports
  Hong Kong
  Mainland Travel Permit travel
  Visa not required
  Visa on arrival
  eVisa
  Visa available both on arrival or online
  Visa required

Greater China

Summarize
Perspective
More information Jurisdiction, Allowed stay ...
Jurisdiction Visa requirement Allowed stay Notes
China China (Mainland) Freedom of movement with Mainland Travel Permit or Chinese Travel Document only, HKSAR passport is only suitable for transit in Mainland China[5]
 Unlimited (discretionary) Entry to Mainland China cannot be on a HKSAR passport. However, all eligible for a HKSAR passport are also eligible to apply for a separate Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, otherwise and previously known as a Home Return Permit, or a Chinese Travel Document if the HKSAR passport holder does not reside in Greater China and is not in possession of a current MTP, allowing the holder to enter and stay in mainland China for indefinite period until its expiry for any purpose. Issuance of the MTP, however, is not guaranteed for all Chinese citizens of Hong Kong and is at the sole discretion of the Bureau of Exit and Entry Administration of the Ministry of Public Security of China.
 Macao Visa not required[6] 1 year (HKPIC or Re-entry Permit)

7 days (Passport)

 Visa free for holders of Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards for a stay of less than one year. Visa not required for 7 days for passengers in transit holding HKSAR passports.
 Taiwan[7] eVisa (Online Entry Permit） 30 days One of the below must apply to the applicant:
  • Born in Hong Kong/Macao
  • Not born in Hong Kong/Macao but has travelled to Taiwan as a permanent resident of Hong Kong or Macao after 1983
  • Bearer of a valid Entry and Exit Permit

Permit is good for one entry to Taiwan within 3 months of the successful application. Confirmation letter must be printed and presented to Taiwan authorities upon arrival. Free of charge.

Single-entry eVisa (Entry and Exit Permit) 3 months Applicant must not have any passports other than the Hong Kong passport, the Macao passport or the British National (Overseas) passport. Issuance of the permit is not guaranteed for all Hong Kong citizens and is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Additionally, if the applicant was born in the Chinese mainland, he/she must prove renunciation of Mainland Chinese household registration by providing one the following documents:

Fee: NT$600

Multiple-entry eVisa (Entry and Exit Permit) 3 months Applicant must not have any passports other than the Hong Kong passport, the Macao passport or the British National (Overseas) passport.

Additionally, if the applicant was born in the Chinese mainland, he/she must prove renunciation of Mainland Chinese household registration by providing one the following documents:

Fee: NT$1000 (1 year) NT$2000 (3 years)

Visa on arrival 30 days One of the below must apply to the applicant:
  • Born in Hong Kong/Macao
  • Not born in Hong Kong/Macao but has travelled to Taiwan as a permanent resident of Hong Kong or Macao after 1983
  • Bearer of a valid Entry and Exit Permit

Passport must be valid for 3 months or above, with proof of return ticket for within 30 days of arrival.
Fee: NT$300

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Visa requirements

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Perspective

Visa requirements for holders of normal passports traveling for tourist purposes:

More information Country, Allowed stay ...
Country Visa requirement Allowed stay Notes (excluding departure fees)
 Afghanistan Visa required[8]
 Albania Visa not required[9] 90 days
  • Permanent ID Card valid in lieu of valid passport. Maximum stay of 90 days within any 180 days periods.
 Algeria Visa required[10]
 Andorra Visa not required[11] 90 days
  • 90 days within any 180 days period.
 Angola Visa not required[12][13] 30 days
 Antigua and Barbuda Visa not required[14] 30 days
 Argentina Visa not required[15] 90 days
 Armenia Visa not required[16] 180 days
 Australia Electronic Travel Authority[17] 90 days
  • 90 days on each visit in 12-month period if granted.
  • Starting from 21 August 2020, Hong Kong passport holders are eligible for applying 5 years student and temporary skilled visas after the enforcement of the national security law. After meeting the requirement of the 5 years stay, eligible visa holders can apply for permanent residence in the same manner like other nationalities.[18]
 Austria Visa not required[19] 90 days
 Azerbaijan eVisa / visa on arrival[20][21] 30 days
 Bahamas Visa not required[22] 3 months
 Bahrain eVisa / Visa on arrival[23] 14 days
 Bangladesh Visa required[24]
 Barbados Visa not required[25] 90 days
 Belarus Visa not required[26] 30 days
 Belgium Visa not required[27] 90 days
 Belize Visa not required[28]
 Benin Visa not required[29][30] 14 days
  • Must have an international vaccination certificate.
 Bhutan eVisa[31][32]
 Bolivia Online Visa / Visa on arrival[33] 30 days[34]
  • Dual nationality is recognized by Bolivia; however, this status must first be approved by Bolivian Immigration. Passengers holding dual nationality should ensure that they arrive and depart Bolivia on the same document, even when the other document may enjoy visa-exemption status.
 Bosnia and Herzegovina Visa not required[35] 90 days
  • 90 days within any 6-month period.
 Botswana Visa not required[36] 90 days
  • 90 days within any year period.
 Brazil Visa not required[37] 90 days
 Brunei Visa not required[38] 14 days
 Bulgaria Visa not required[39] 90 days
 Burkina Faso eVisa / Visa on arrival[40][41]
 Burundi Visa on arrival[42] 1 month
 Cambodia eVisa / Visa on arrival[43][44] 30 days
 Cameroon eVisa[45][46]
  • Your chosen embassy will examine your file and make a decision. If the file is accepted, there are two options:
    • The visa is granted at our embassy. Such applicants will receive an electronic message for an appointment. The Applicant(s) must bring the original documents used in the pre-enrolment together with the passport, which mush have at least a minimum of 6 months validity. The visa will be affixed inside your passport.
    • An electronic authorization with a QR code will be provided to collect electronic parameters of those who cannot come to the embassy. Such people would be able to travel to Cameroon with a printed authorization. They will also have to bring along the original documents used for the pre-enrolment. Their parameters will be collected at the entry check point into Cameroon e.g. Airport or Sea port or any border post, and a six- month validity visa will be stamped into your passport.
 Canada Visa not required[47] 6 months
  • Starting from 2021, Canada rolled out a new scheme for Hong Kong residents migrating to the country after the enforcement of the national security law. 3 years work permits will be available for those who were graduated from either a recognised Canadian or overseas post-secondary institution in the last ten years. In addition, two streams for permanent residency were provided - (1) persons who have graduated from a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada. (2) persons who have worked in Canada for at least 12 months full time, or an equal amount of part-time hours. If approved, their spouse or partner as well as children can also apply to come with them.[48][49] Applicants will be eligible for applying Canadian Permanent residency in Canada.
  • eTA required if arriving by air.[50]
 Cape Verde Visa not required[51] 90 days
  • Online registration called EASE required, otherwise there is additional charge on arrival. It is advised to fill the form 3 days before arrival.
 Central African Republic Visa required[52]
 Chad Visa required[53]
 Chile Visa not required[54] 90 days
 Colombia Visa not required[55] 90 days
 Comoros Visa on arrival[56] 45 days
 Republic of the Congo Visa required[57]
 Democratic Republic of the Congo eVisa[58][59] 7 days
 Costa Rica Visa required[60]
  • 90 days visa free if hold a valid, multiple-entry visa or residence permit issued by Canada, the United States or only residence permit issued by the European Union member countries, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland or the United Kingdom
 Côte d'Ivoire eVisa[61][62] 3 months
 Croatia Visa not required[63] 90 days
 Cuba eVisa[64][65] 90 days
 Cyprus Visa not required[66] 90 days
  • 90 days within any 180 day period.
 Czech Republic Visa not required[67] 90 days
 Denmark Visa not required[68] 90 days
 Djibouti eVisa[69][70] 31 days
 Dominica Visa not required[71] 6 months
 Dominican Republic Visa not required[72] 90 days
 Ecuador Visa not required[73] 90 days[74]
 Egypt Visa not required[75] 3 months
 El Salvador Visa required[76]
 Equatorial Guinea eVisa[77][78]
 Eritrea Visa required[79]
 Estonia Visa not required[80] 90 days
 Eswatini Visa required[81]
 Ethiopia eVisa / Visa on arrival[82] up to 90 days
 Fiji Visa not required[85] 4 months
 Finland Visa not required[86] 90 days
 France and territories Visa not required[87] 90 days
 Gabon eVisa[88][89] 90 days
 Gambia Visa required[90]
  • In addition to a visa, an entry clearance must be obtained from the Gambian Immigration prior to travel.[91]
 Georgia Visa not required[92][93] 30 days
 Germany Visa not required[94] 90 days
  • 90 days within any 180 day period in the Schengen Area.
  • Hong Kong citizens can apply for automatic customs clearance upon entry.
 Ghana Visa required[95]
 Greece Visa not required[96] 90 days
 Grenada Visa not required[97] 3 months
 Guatemala Visa required[98]
 Guinea eVisa[99][100] 90 days
 Guinea-Bissau Visa on arrival[101] 90 days
 Guyana Visa not required[102] 90 days
 Haiti Visa not required[103] 3 months
 Honduras Visa required[104]
  • No visa required if holding valid visa of US, Canada, or Schengen Member State.
 Hungary Visa not required[105] 90 days
 Iceland Visa not required[106] 90 days
 India Admission refused[107]
  • Issue of tourist visa currently suspended; Business visa can still be applied
  • Hong Kong holders of the BN(O) passport can still apply for the tourist visa[108]
 Indonesia Visa not required[109] 30 days[110]
 Iran Visa not required[111] 21 days[112]
 Iraq Visa required[113]
 Ireland Visa not required[114] 90 days
 Israel Electronic Travel Authorization[115][116] 90 days
 Italy Visa not required[117] 90 days
  • 90 days within any 180 day period in the Schengen Area
  • Hong Kong citizens can apply for automatic customs clearance upon entry.
 Jamaica Visa not required[118] 30 days
 Japan Visa not required[119] 90 days
 Jordan eVisa / Visa on arrival[120][121] 30 days
  • Not available at all entry points.[122]
 Kazakhstan Visa not required[123] 14 days
 Kenya Electronic Travel Authorization[124][125] 90 days
  • Applications can be submitted up to 90 days prior to travel and must be submitted at least 3 days in advance.
  • eTA fee is USD 32.50.
  • Proof of reservation at the hotel where visitors plan to stay is required (if staying with friends, an invitation letter is also acceptable).
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if coming from endemic countries.
 Kiribati Visa not required[126] 1 month
 North Korea Visa required[127]
 South Korea Electronical Travel Authorization[128][129] 90 days
  • HKSAR passport has right to get E-ETA free till 2025.
  • Chinese citizens of Hong Kong can enter South Korea as a short term visit (e.g., tours, visiting relatives or friends, attending simple meetings) up to 90 days without a visa. You must have an onward or return ticket. It is illegal to work on a tourist visa, whether as a teacher or in any other capacity.[130]
  • You must be in possession of a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) to enter Korea visa-free. You can complete your K-ETA application up to 24 hours before boarding your flight and it will be valid for 3 years from the date of approval. There is a small, non-refundable charge.[130]
 Kuwait eVisa / Visa on arrival[131][132] 3 months
 Kyrgyzstan Visa not required[133] 30 days
 Laos eVisa / Visa on arrival[136] 30 days
 Latvia Visa not required[140] 90 days
 Lebanon Free visa on arrival[141] 1 month
  • 1 month extendable for 2 additional months.
  • Granted free of charge at Beirut International Airport or any other port of entry if there is no Israeli visa or seal, holding a telephone number, an address in Lebanon, and a non refundable return or circle trip ticket.
 Lesotho Visa not required[142] 90 days
 Liberia Visa required[143]
 Libya eVisa[144][145]
 Liechtenstein Visa not required[146] 90 days
 Lithuania Visa not required[147] 90 days
 Luxembourg Visa not required[148] 90 days
 Madagascar Visa on arrival[149] 60 days
 Malawi Visa not required[150] 30 days
 Malaysia Visa not required[151] 90 days
 Maldives Free visa on arrival[152] 30 days
 Mali Visa required[153]
 Malta Visa not required[154] 90 days
 Marshall Islands Visa required[155]
 Mauritania eVisa[156][157] 30 days
 Mauritius Visa not required[158] 180 days
 Mexico Visa not required[159] 90 days[160]
 Micronesia Visa not required[161] 30 days
 Moldova Visa not required[162] 90 days
  • 90 days within any 180 day period.
 Monaco Visa not required[163] 90 days
  • 90 days within any 180 day period.
 Mongolia Visa not required[164] 14 days
 Montenegro Visa not required[165] 90 days
 Morocco Visa not required[166] 30 days
 Mozambique eVisa / Visa on arrival[167][168] 30 days
 Myanmar eVisa[169][170] 28 days
 Namibia Visa not required[171] 3 months
 Nauru Visa required[172]
   Nepal Online Visa / Visa on arrival[173] 90 days[174]
 Netherlands Visa not required[175] 90 days
  • 90 days within any 180 day period in the Schengen Area.
  • Hong Kong citizens can apply for automatic customs clearance upon entry.
 New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority[176] 3 months
  • International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy must be paid upon requesting an Electronic Travel Authority.[177]
  • Holders of an Australian Permanent Resident Visa or Resident Return Visa may be granted a New Zealand Resident Visa on arrival permitting indefinite stay (pursuant to the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement), subject to meeting character requirements and obtaining an Electronic Travel Authority prior to departure.[178] Such travellers are not required to pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.[177]
 Nicaragua Visa not required[179] 90 days
 Niger Visa not required[180] 14 days
 Nigeria eVisa[181][182] 90 days
 North Macedonia Visa not required[183] 90 days
 Norway Visa not required[184] 90 days
 Oman Visa not required / eVisa[185][186] 14 days / 30 days
 Pakistan Visa required[187]
 Palau Free visa on arrival[188] 30 days
 Panama Visa not required[189] 30 days
 Papua New Guinea eVisa[190][191] 60 days
 Paraguay Visa required[192]
 Peru Visa not required[193] 183 days
 Philippines Visa not required[194] 14 days
 Poland Visa not required[195] 90 days
  • 90 days regardless of time spent in other Schengen countries.
 Portugal Visa not required[196] 90 days
 Qatar Visa not required[197] 30 days
 Romania Visa not required[198] 90 days
 Russia Visa not required[199] 14 days
  • For a maximum total stay of 90 days within one calendar year period
 Rwanda eVisa / Visa on arrival[200][201] 30 days
 Saint Kitts and Nevis Visa not required[202] 3 months
 Saint Lucia Visa not required[203] 42 days
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Visa not required[204] 3 month
 Samoa Visa not required[205] 90 days
 San Marino Visa not required[206]
 São Tomé and Príncipe eVisa / Visa on arrival[207] 15 days.[208]
  • Holders of a visa issued by the United States do not require a visa.
 Saudi Arabia eVisa / Visa on arrival[209][210] 90 days
 Senegal Visa required[211]
 Serbia Visa not required[212] 14 days
 Seychelles Electronic Border System[213][214] 3 months
  • Application can be submitted up to 30 days before travel.
  • Visitors must upload a reservation confirmation(s) for each visitor's location of stay in Seychelles.
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if coming from endemic countries.
  • Payment of the fee (EUR 10) by credit or debit card.
  • Valid for one journey only and it expires once exit the country.
 Sierra Leone eVisa[215][216] 3 months
 Singapore Visa not required[217] 30 days
 Slovakia Visa not required[218] 90 days
 Slovenia Visa not required[219] 90 days
 Solomon Islands Visa required[220]
  • Pre-arranged visa can be picked up on arrival.
 Somalia Visa on arrival[221] 30 days
 South Africa Visa not required[222] 30 days
 South Sudan eVisa[223][224]
  • Obtainable online.
  • Printed visa authorization must be presented at the time of travel.
 Spain Visa not required[225] 90 days
 Sri Lanka Visa not required / eVisa[226][227] 30 days / 60 days
  • The standard visitor visa allows a stay of 60 days within any 6-month period.[228]
  • Visa fees (for Standard visitor visa):
  • e-Visa categories will be charged an additional USD 18.50 service fee.
  • If transiting from any of the Sri Lankan airports, An e-Visa is exempted (2 day transit period).
 Sudan Visa required[229]
 Suriname Visa not required[230][231] 90 days
  • An entrance fee of USD 50 or EUR 50 must be paid online prior to arrival.[232]
  • Multiple entry e-Visa is also available.[233]
 Sweden Visa not required[234] 90 days
  Switzerland Visa not required[235] 90 days
 Syria Visa required[236]
 Tajikistan eVisa[237][238] 60 days
  • e-Visa holders can enter through all border points.
 Tanzania Visa not required[239] 3 months
 Thailand Visa not required[240] 30 days
 Timor-Leste Visa on arrival[241] 30 days
  • A tourist visa costs US$30 and can normally be issued to the holder of a valid HKSAR passport on arrival at Dili International airport or Dili seaport, provided entry into Timor-Leste is regarded as being for a legitimate purpose. The visa will be valid for a single entry ONLY and will allow you to stay for up to 30 days.[242]
 Togo eVisa[243][244] 15 days
  • Passengers must have return tickets. They may apply to extend for another 90 days.
 Tonga Free visa on arrival[245] 31 days
 Trinidad and Tobago Visa not required[246]
 Tunisia Visa not required[247] 90 days
 Turkey Visa not required[248] 3 months
 Turkmenistan Visa required[249]
 Tuvalu Free visa on arrival[250] 1 month
 Uganda Visa not required[251][252] 90 days[253]
 Ukraine Visa not required[254] 14 days
 United Arab Emirates Visa not required[255] 30 days
 United Kingdom Electronic Travel Authorisation[256] 6 months
 United States Visa required[257]
  • Chinese citizens of Hong Kong who do receive a visa are normally issued with 10-years multiple-entry combination B1/B2 visas, and each entry can stay for a maximum of 6 months (the period of stay is subject to the border immigration officer)
  • On 5 August 2021, President Joe Biden directed the Department of Homeland Security to implement a "deferral of removal" for up to 18 months for Hong Kong residents currently in the United States, in response to Beijing's implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. Eligible Hong Kongers can apply for a work permit.[258] On 15 January 2025, the Biden administration extended the deferral of removal of Hong Kong residents who are present in the United States for another 24 months.[259]
 Uruguay Visa not required[260] 3 months
 Uzbekistan Visa not required[261] 10 days
  • Must arrive by air. Otherwise an electronic visa is available.[262]
 Vanuatu Visa not required[263] 30 days
 Vatican City Visa not required[264]
 Venezuela Visa not required[265] 90 days
 Vietnam eVisa[266][267] 90 days
  • e-Visa is valid for 90 days and multiple entry.
 Yemen Visa not required[268] 30 days
 Zambia Visa not required[269] 90 days
 Zimbabwe Visa not required[270] 3 months
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Territories

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Perspective

Visa requirements for Chinese citizens of Hong Kong for visits to various territories, disputed areas, partially recognised countries and restricted zones:

More information Visitor to, Notes (excluding departure fees) ...
Visitor toVisa requirementNotes (excluding departure fees)
Europe
 Abkhazia Visa required[271]
Mount Athos Special permit required Special permit required (4 days: 25 euro for Orthodox visitors, 35 euro for non-Orthodox visitors, 18 euro for students). There is a visitors' quota: maximum 100 Orthodox and 10 non-Orthodox per day and women are not allowed.[272][273]
Republic of Crimea (Russia) Crimea Visa not required Visa issued by Russia is required, HK SAR Passport is exempted from a visa to enter Russia for 14 days.[274]
 Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Visa not required 3 months[275]
United Nations UN Buffer Zone in Cyprus Access Permit required[276] Access Permit is required for travelling inside the zone, except Civil Use Areas.
 Faroe Islands Visa not required[277]
 Gibraltar Visa not required[278]
 Guernsey Visa not required[279]
 Isle of Man Visa not required[280]
Norway Jan Mayen Permit required Permit issued by the local police required for staying for less than 24 hours[281] and permit issued by the Norwegian police for staying for more than 24 hours.[282]
 Jersey Visa not required[283]
 Kosovo Visa not required[284] 90 days
 South Ossetia Visa not required Multiple entry visa to Russia and three-day prior notification are required to enter South Ossetia.[285][286]
 Transnistria Visa not required Migration card issued upon arrival.[287][288]
Africa
 British Indian Ocean Territory Special permit required Special permit required.[289]
 Eritrea outside Asmara Travel permit required To travel in the rest of the country, a Travel Permit for Foreigners is required (20 Eritrean nakfa).[290]
 Mayotte Visa not required[291] 90 days
 Réunion Visa not required[291] 90 days
 Ascension Island Admission refused[292][293] From May 2015, the Ascension Island Government does not issue entry visas including eVisas to Chinese citizens of Hong Kong.[294]
 Saint Helena Visitor's Pass required Visitor's Pass granted on arrival valid for 4/10/21/60/90 days for 12/14/16/20/25 pound sterling.[295]
 Tristan da Cunha Permission required Permission to land required for 15/30 pounds sterling (yacht/ship passenger) for Tristan da Cunha Island or 20 pounds sterling for Gough Island, Inaccessible Island or Nightingale Islands.[296]
 Somaliland Visa on arrival 30 days for 30 US dollars, payable on arrival.[297][298]
 Sudan Travel permit required All foreigners travelling more than 25 kilometres outside of Khartoum must obtain a travel permit.
Sudan Darfur Travel permit required Separate travel permit is required.[299]
Asia
 India PAP/RAP PAP/RAP required Protected Area Permit (PAP) required for all of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand. Restricted Area Permit (RAP) required for all of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep and parts of Sikkim. Some of these requirements are occasionally lifted for a year.[300][301][302][303][304]
 Kazakhstan Special permission required Special permission required for the town of Baikonur and surrounding areas in Kyzylorda Oblast, and the town of Gvardeyskiy near Almaty.[305]
Iran Kish Island Visa not required Visitors to Kish Island do not require a visa.[306]
Malaysia Malaysia:

Sabah Sabah and Sarawak Sarawak

 Visa not required These states have their own immigration authorities and passport is required to travel to them, however the same visa applies.[307]
Maldives Maldives Permission required With the exception of the capital Malé, tourists are generally prohibited from visiting non-resort islands without the express permission of the Government of Maldives.[308]
 Palestine Visa not required[309] Arrival by sea to Gaza Strip not allowed.[310]
Tajikistan Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province OIVR permit required OIVR permit required (15+5 Tajikistani Somoni) and another special permit (free of charge) is required for Lake Sarez.[311][312][313]
United Nations Korean Demilitarized Zone Restricted zone
United Nations UNDOF Zone and Ghajar Restricted zone
 Yemen Special permission required Special permission needed for travel outside Sana'a or Aden.[314]
Caribbean and North Atlantic
 Anguilla Visa not required[315] 3 months
 Aruba Visa not required[316] 30 days
 Bermuda Visa not required[317] lesser than 6 months
Netherlands Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba Visa not required[318] 30 days
 British Virgin Islands Visa not required[319] 30 days
 Cayman Islands Visa not required[320] 60 days for tourism / 10 days for business
 Curacao Visa not required[321] 30 days
France French Guiana Visa not required[322] 90 days
France French West Indies Visa not required French West Indies refers to Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy.[323]
 Greenland Visa not required[277] 90 days
 Montserrat Visa not required[324] 90 days
 Puerto Rico Visa required[325]
 Saint Pierre and Miquelon Visa not required[291] 90 days
 Sint Maarten Visa not required[326] 3 months
 Turks and Caicos Islands Visa not required[327] 90 days
 U.S. Virgin Islands Visa required[328]
Oceania
 American Samoa Visa required[329]
Australia Ashmore and Cartier Islands Special authorisation required Special authorisation required.[330]
France Clipperton Island Special permit required Special permit required.[331]
 Cook Islands Visa not required[332] 31 days[333]
Fiji Lau Province Special permission required Special permission required.[334]
 French Polynesia Visa not required[335] 90 days
 Guam Visa not required[336] Visa free for holders of both Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards and HKSAR Passport for a stay of less than 45 days. Visa required if without Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards.
 New Caledonia Visa not required[291] 90 days
 Northern Mariana Islands Visa not required[336] Visa free for holders of both Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards and HKSAR Passport for a stay of less than 45 days. Visa required if without Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards.
 Niue Visa on arrival[337] 30 days[338]
 Pitcairn Islands Visa not required 14 days visa free and landing fee US$35 or tax of US$5 if not going ashore.[339][340][341]
United States United States Minor Outlying Islands Special permits required Special permits required for Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Atoll, Palmyra Atoll and Wake Island.[342][343][344][345][346][347][348]
 Wallis and Futuna Visa not required[291] 90 days
South America
Galápagos Pre-registration required Online pre-registration is required. Transit Control Card must also be obtained at the airport prior to departure.[349]
South Atlantic and Antarctica
 Falkland Islands Visa not required[350] A visitor permit is normally issued as a stamp in the passport on arrival, The maximum validity period is 1 month.[351]
 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Permit required Pre-arrival permit from the Commissioner required (72 hours/1 month for 110/160 pounds sterling).[352][353]
Antarctica Special permits required for  British Antarctic Territory,  French Southern and Antarctic Lands,  Argentine Antarctica, Australia Australian Antarctic Territory, Antártica Chilena Province Chilean Antarctic Territory, Australia Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norway Peter I Island, Norway Queen Maud Land, New Zealand Ross Dependency.[354][355][356][357][358][359][360][361][362][363][364][365]
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APEC Business Travel Card

Summarize
Perspective
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  Full members of the scheme
  Transitional members (United States, Canada)

Holders of an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) travelling on business do not require a visa to the following countries:[366]

1 - Up to 180 days
2 - Up to 90 days
3 - Up to 90 days in a period of 180 days
4 - Up to 60 days

Permanent residents with Chinese nationality (holders of HKSAR passport / BN(O) passport) are required to apply for a Mainland Travel Permit to enter China Mainland China, to the exclusion of all other documents.

The card must be used in conjunction with a passport and has the following advantages:[367]

  • No need to apply for a visa or entry permit to APEC countries, as the card is treated as such (except by  Canada and  United States)
  • Undertake legitimate business in participating economies
  • Expedited border crossing in all member economies, including transitional members

Non-visa restrictions

This section is transcluded from Non-visa travel restrictions. (edit | history)

Many countries have entry restrictions on foreigners that go beyond the common requirement of having either a valid visa or a visa exemption. Such restrictions may be health related or impose additional documentation requirements on certain classes of people for diplomatic or political purposes.

Blank passport pages

Many countries require a minimum number of blank pages to be available in the passport being presented, typically one or two pages.[368] Endorsement pages, which often appear after the visa pages, are not counted as being valid or available.

Vaccination

Main articles: Vaccination requirements for international travel, International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, and Vaccine passports during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Cover of the new International Certificate of Vaccination issued by the Bureau of Quarantine in the Philippines since 2021

Many African countries, including Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo, South Sudan, Uganda, and Zambia, require all incoming passengers older than nine months to one year[369] to have a current International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, as does the South American territory of French Guiana.[370]

Some other countries require vaccination only if the passenger is coming from an infected area or has visited one recently or has transited for 12 hours in those countries: Algeria, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Lesotho, Libya, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.[371][372]

Passport validity length

Very few countries, such as Paraguay, just require a valid passport on arrival.

However many countries and groupings now require only an identity card – especially from their neighbours. Other countries may have special bilateral arrangements that depart from the generality of their passport validity length policies to shorten the period of passport validity required for each other's citizens[373][374] or even accept passports that have already expired (but not been cancelled).[375]

Some countries, such as Japan,[376] Ireland and the United Kingdom,[377] require a passport valid throughout the period of the intended stay.

In the absence of specific bilateral agreements, countries requiring passports to be valid for at least 6 more months on arrival include Afghanistan, Algeria, Anguilla, Bahrain,[378] Bhutan, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Curaçao, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Gabon, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel,[379] Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru,[380] Philippines,[381] Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Vietnam.[382]

Countries requiring passports valid for at least 4 months on arrival include Micronesia and Zambia.

Countries requiring passports with a validity of at least 3 months beyond the date of intended departure include Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Honduras, Montenegro, Nauru, Moldova and New Zealand. Similarly, the EEA countries of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, all European Union countries (except Ireland) together with Switzerland also require 3 months validity beyond the date of the bearer's intended departure unless the bearer is an EEA or Swiss national.

Countries requiring passports valid for at least 3 months on arrival include Albania, North Macedonia, Panama, and Senegal.

Bermuda requires passports to be valid for at least 45 days upon entry.

Countries that require a passport validity of at least one month beyond the date of intended departure include Eritrea, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Macau, the Maldives[383] and South Africa.

Maximum passport age

Countries of the Schengen area require non-EU passports to be less than 10 years old upon entry.[384] A number of holders of British passports, which until September 2018 could be issued with a validity period of up to 10 years and nine months if the previous passport was not expired, were unable to travel to the EU subsequent to Brexit due to this restriction.[385]

Criminal record

Some countries, including Australia, Canada, Fiji, New Zealand and the United States,[386] routinely deny entry to non-citizens who have a criminal record, while others impose restrictions depending on the type of conviction and the length of the sentence.

Persona non grata

The government of a country can declare a diplomat persona non grata, banning them from entering the country or expelling them if they have already entered. In non-diplomatic use, the authorities of a country may also declare a foreigner persona non grata permanently or temporarily, usually because of unlawful activity.[387]

Israeli stamps

Kuwait,[388] Lebanon,[389] Libya,[390] and Yemen[391] do not allow entry to people with passport stamps from Israel or whose passports have either a used or an unused Israeli visa, or where there is evidence of previous travel to Israel such as entry or exit stamps from neighbouring border posts in transit countries such as Jordan and Egypt.

To circumvent this Arab League boycott of Israel, the Israeli immigration services have now mostly ceased to stamp foreign nationals' passports on either entry to or exit from Israel (unless the entry is for some work-related purposes). Since 15 January 2013, Israel no longer stamps foreign passports at Ben Gurion Airport. Passports are still (as of 22 June 2017) stamped at Erez when passing into and out of Gaza.[citation needed]

Iran refuses admission to holders of passports containing an Israeli visa or stamp that is less than 12 months old.

Biometrics

See also: Countries applying biometrics

Several countries mandate that all travellers, or all foreign travellers, be fingerprinted on arrival and will refuse admission to or even arrest travellers who refuse to comply. In some countries, such as the United States, this may apply even to transit passengers who merely wish to change planes rather than go landside.[392]

Fingerprinting countries/regions include Afghanistan,[393][394] Argentina,[395] Brunei, Cambodia,[396] China,[397] Ethiopia,[398] Ghana, Guinea,[399] India, Japan,[400][401] Kenya (both fingerprints and a photo are taken),[402] Malaysia upon entry and departure,[403] Mongolia, Saudi Arabia,[404] Singapore, South Korea,[405] Taiwan, Thailand,[406] Uganda,[407] the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

Many countries also require a photo be taken of people entering the country. The United States, which does not fully implement exit control formalities at its land frontiers (although long mandated by its own legislation),[408][409][410] intends to implement facial recognition for passengers departing from international airports to identify people who overstay their visa.[411]

Together with fingerprint and face recognition, iris scanning is one of three biometric identification technologies internationally standardised since 2006 by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for use in e-passports[412] and the United Arab Emirates conducts iris scanning on visitors who need to apply for a visa.[413][414]

See also

Notes

  1. [N 1]
    • Panghok - Taichang (Vietnam)
    • Lantui - Baka (China)
    • Meuang mom - Wan Pong (Myanmar)
    • Tanalaeng Dry Port - Nongkai (Thailand)
    • Nonghaed - Nam kanh (Vietnam)
    • Pakxan - Bungkan (Thailand)
    • Nam phao - Cau treo (Vietnam)
    • Na pao - Cha lo (Vietnam)
    • Nam ngeun - Huay konl (Thailand)
    • Namheuang - Nakaseng (Thailand)
    • Phoudou (Thailand)
    • Nam soy - Na meo (Vietnam)
    • Phoukeua - Kontoum (Vietnam)
    • Lalai (Vietnam)
    • Pangmone - Phayao (Thailand)
    • Daktaock - Nam Giang (Vietnam)
    • Savannakhet Airport
  2. [N 2]
    • Vientiane
    • Savannakhet
    • Bokeo
  3. [N 3]
    • Vientiane
    • Savannakhet
    • Khammouane
    • Bokeo
  4. [N 4]
    • Samliemkham (Thailand and Myanmar)
    • Khamsavath - Nongkai (Thailand)
    • Daensavan - Lao bao (Vietnam)
    • Veunkham - Nong nok khian (Cambodia)
    • Vang tao - Chongmek (Thailand)
    • Boten - Bo han (China)

References

External links

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