My Home Return Permit experience...

[mwong9413]

Also, using your Home Return Permit, do you have to enter China via Hong Kong, or can you fly directly into China?

I just got my HRP renewed this year. I will take ~ 2 weeks for them to issue it to you. You cannot enter HK with a HRP. This document is issued by the Mianland authories and is only a valid document in Mainland China. When you enter HK you use your HKID, or a foreign passport if you have one.

[unexpected]

A couple of things.

1. When I went to China, I just went through Immigration as usual. I've flown into Beijing and Shanghai with no problems. Mainland and HK Immigration checkpoints are independent of each other.

2. I think getting the HRP is a process loosely based on what the regulations state, the emotional state of the staff at CTS, the alignment of the planets, etc. I went to their office 3 times to get it. The first time I was told they needed to verify my eligibility to apply. The second time was after they called me and said I was allowed to apply, so I went and applied and received the stub. The third time was 2 week later to pick up the HRP. Total time was around a month and a half(ish).

Also, this is one of those times where the old saying rings true that, "you can catch more bees with honey than with vinegar." Don't make a fuss, just be polite on your part. It is a long process and a lot of people want the HRP and everyone knows this or the line wouldn't be this long. Oh, and about the photo, they can and are allowed to reject your photos for any reason. The benefit of the photos taken at the kiosk is that a digital version is forwarded to their computers so they don't have to scan the photo you provided.

Regardless of my experience, the HRP is worth it. It's good for 10 years, and for unlimited entries. It is a lot cheaper than getting PRC visas.

[jtyh]

"you can catch more bees with honey than with vinegar."

I totally agree. My case is the same as the OP. They knew pretty well that I'm holding a Philippine passport and that I was only on a short stay in Hong kong during my application. She didn't give me a hard time. Well, it probably helped that I can converse in Cantonese with her.

The crowd was big and the line was long when I applied, but the line moves fast, so no complaints at all.

[myhamster]

mwong9413, unexpected, and jtyh...

Did any of you have a Hong Kong Passport? The news I've been hearing is that a HKID is no longer sufficient for a HRP (Home Return Permit). A few people have said that a HK Passport is needed in addition to HKID. Did you guys have one?

Thanks for sharing.

[unexpected]

I showed them 3 things. My HKPIC, my HKSAR passport, and my foreign passport. The HKPIC might not suffice and most likely because HK Immigration has previously issued ***/AO to people who don't qualify for it. But if you hold a HKSAR passport, then it's a good indication that you're a Chinese citizen and have ROA in HK.

[mwong9413]

mwong9413, unexpected, and jtyh...

Did any of you have a Hong Kong Passport? The news I've been hearing is that a HKID is no longer sufficient for a HRP (Home Return Permit). A few people have said that a HK Passport is needed in addition to HKID. Did you guys have one?

Thanks for sharing.

Yes you are correct. After the handover in ~04-05, the HKSAR passport was the main document that immigration had looked at in order to determine that the person is a Chines Citizen of HK. Prior to 04-05 the HKPIC was sufficient enough to apply for the HRP.

[mwong9413]

That is why now I want to apply for the SAR passport because this is the only think that can determine my status. The (***) stars business is no use and detemining your nationality.

[jtyh]

mwong9413, unexpected, and jtyh...

Did any of you have a Hong Kong Passport? The news I've been hearing is that a HKID is no longer sufficient for a HRP (Home Return Permit). A few people have said that a HK Passport is needed in addition to HKID. Did you guys have one?


Thanks for sharing.

Yes. I presented my HKID, HKSAR passport and my foreign passport, just like unexpected did. I believe that's pretty much the requirement nowadays.

[M Khan]

Forgive my ignorance, but I don't understand why people present their foreign passports to CTS, together with their HKID and HK passport, when applying for an HRP. Aside from demonstrating that you have managed to obtain / retain / regain another nationality, in contravention of the rules for possessing Chinese nationality, I can't see what this is supposed to achieve. I would be grateful if someone could shed some light on this.

[PDLM]

I was wondering the same thing.