【Home Return Permit Renewal 2026】Online booking, fees, required documents, expired card renewal and replacement guide

Before heading north for shopping, travel, visiting family or work, many people remember to book transport and accommodation, but often overlook the most basic step: checking the validity of their Home Visit Permit. If your Home Visit Permit has expired, has less than six months’ validity remaining, or a child’s Home Visit Permit is about to expire, it is best to arrange renewal or replacement as early as possible, so you do not discover at the last minute that the document cannot be used, disrupting your plans.

This time, the 10Life insurance comparison platform has compiled information on Home Visit Permit renewal, replacement after expiry, online appointment procedures, required documents, fees, processing time, photo requirements and application notes for children, as well as a brief explanation of replacement arrangements in case of loss or damage, so you can check everything in one go before setting off.

The Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, commonly known as the “Home Return Permit”, is a commonly used travel document for Hong Kong residents travelling to and from the Mainland. The validity period is generally divided by age:

• Persons aged 18 or above: generally eligible for a Home Return Permit with a validity period of 10 years
• Persons under 18: generally eligible for a Home Return Permit with a validity period of 5 years

As children’s Home Return Permits have a shorter validity period, parents planning family trips northbound or visits to relatives should pay particular attention to whether their children’s travel documents are still valid.

If any of the following situations arise, it is usually necessary to arrange renewal, replacement, or reissuance:

• The Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents is valid for less than 6 months
• The Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents has expired
• Personal information has changed, such as a name change or updated identity card details
• A child’s Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents has expired
• Identity documents have been updated or no longer meet current requirements
• The Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents is damaged or lost

If you already have a trip to the Mainland planned in the near future, you should make an appointment as early as possible. Even if an expedited application is available, the actual collection date may still be affected by approval, the completeness of the documents, and public holidays.

If you are still in Hong Kong and discover that your Home Visit Permit has expired, you can generally apply for a new one under the replacement document application process. The applicant must first complete an online appointment and fill in the application details, then bring their Hong Kong Identity Card, the expired Home Visit Permit, a compliant photograph and the photo check receipt to the Document Services Centre on the appointment date to complete the application.

If your departure date is approaching, you may enquire whether an expedited application can be arranged. Expedited applications generally take around five working days, but whether this applies, whether additional proof is required, or whether special approval is needed, should be subject to the latest arrangements of China Travel Service.

If you only discover that your Home Visit Permit has expired upon arrival at the checkpoint, you should immediately consult checkpoint staff or the relevant immigration department about the available arrangements. The handling method may vary by checkpoint, time period and individual case, and it may not necessarily be possible to deal with it on the spot. Therefore, the safest approach is still to check the validity of your documents before departure.

When applying for a renewal of a Home Visit Permit or a replacement after expiry, the following documents are generally required:

• Hong Kong permanent identity card or Hong Kong identity card with a Chinese name
• Old Home Visit Permit or expired Home Visit Permit
• A recent colour passport photo with a white background taken within the past six months
• Photo “qualified inspection barcode” or photo inspection receipt
• Other supporting documents required depending on individual circumstances

If applying for a replacement due to damage or loss, you may also need to submit the damaged Home Visit Permit, proof of loss, or relevant loss-report documents. If the applicant is a non-Hong Kong permanent resident, a Hong Kong permanent resident of non-Chinese nationality, or has a more complex identity document situation, the required documents may vary. It is advisable to check the latest official requirements before applying.

At present, applying for a Home Return Permit generally requires making an online appointment in advance and completing the application details. Applicants may book a time and place for processing via the China Travel Service website or mobile app.

The general steps for making an online appointment are as follows:

1. Go to the China Travel Service Home Return Permit appointment page
2. Select the applicable application category, such as first-time application, renewal upon expiry, replacement for loss, replacement for damage, etc.
3. Complete the applicant’s details
4. Select the processing location and date
5. Confirm the appointment details and complete the booking

When making the appointment, carefully check the document number, date of birth and personal details. If the information does not match, it may affect the appointment or processing procedure.

Applicants can currently make Home Return Permit appointments through the China Travel Service online booking system. If you have activated a “iAM Smart” account, you may also check whether the system supports identity authentication or importing personal data via “iAM Smart”, thereby simplifying the process of completing the application form.

However, “iAM Smart” mainly assists with online booking and data entry, and does not mean that the entire process can be completed online or that an in-person visit is unnecessary. Applicants will generally still need to attend the document service centre in person at the appointed time to submit documents, verify information and complete the relevant procedures.

When making an appointment, please carefully check the HKID number, date of birth, application type and document service location. If the information does not match, it may affect the booking or processing procedure. The actual available functions and workflow should be subject to the latest display on the China Travel Service online booking system.

Applying for the Home Return Permit generally takes about 12 working days; expedited applications are generally scheduled for about 5 working days. Working days typically do not include Saturdays, Sundays, Hong Kong public holidays, or postal delivery time.

However, the actual collection date may vary depending on the approval status, the applicant’s information, the completeness of the documents, or postal delivery arrangements. If you have urgent travel plans, it is advisable to apply as early as possible and not rely solely on the expedited application arrangement.

The fee for a Home Return Permit varies depending on the application category, the applicant’s age and whether an expedited service is requested. The following is a reference for common fees:

In the event of special circumstances requiring separate written approval, additional charges may apply. If you choose to collect the documents by postal courier, a postal service fee may also be charged separately. Actual charges are subject to the latest official announcement.

The photo requirements for the Home Visit Permit are relatively strict, and this is one of the most common areas where applicants make mistakes. In addition to being a colour ID photo with a white background taken within the past six months, the photo must also meet requirements regarding the background, head-to-body proportion, posture and clarity, and an photo inspection receipt must be obtained.

Common reasons for rejection include:

• The background is not pure white, or there are shadows or gradients
• The head is not centred, or the shoulders are not symmetrical
• The photo is too bright or too dark, or there is glare on the face
• Wearing glasses, a hat, a face mask or accessories
• The photo has been edited, re-photographed or computer-generated
• Wearing white clothing, making the outline insufficiently clear
• The photo file or printing specifications do not meet the requirements

If you are unsure whether the photo is acceptable, you may use an ID photo service that provides a Home Visit Permit photo inspection receipt, or use the relevant photo-taking service at the document application centre, so as to reduce the chance of having to reprocess the application due to an unacceptable photo.

People under the age of 18 are generally issued a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents with a validity of only 5 years, so it is more likely to expire than an adult’s document. Before parents arrange a trip to the mainland for the family, they should not only check their own Mainland Travel Permit, but also their children’s documents.

When a minor applies for renewal, replacement, or reissue of a Mainland Travel Permit, they will generally need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and submit additional supporting documents, such as:

• the child’s Hong Kong Identity Card or relevant identity document
• birth certificate or guardianship document
• identity documents of the parent or legal guardian
• old Mainland Travel Permit, expired Mainland Travel Permit, or proof of loss
• eligible photo and photo verification receipt

If the legal guardian cannot accompany the child in person, or if the child does not yet hold a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card, the required documents may differ. The latest official requirements should be followed.

If your Home Visit Permit is lost or damaged, applicants will generally need to follow the replacement procedure. Compared with a standard renewal, the fee for replacing a lost or damaged permit is higher, and you may also be required to provide documents such as proof of loss, a police report, or the damaged Home Visit Permit.

If the Home Visit Permit is lost, damaged or forgotten in Mainland China, the situation is more complicated. If you need to take domestic flights or trains in Mainland China, or arrange accommodation, you may apply for an electronic temporary pass through the “Immigration Bureau 12367” app, WeChat or Alipay mini programme, in accordance with the official arrangements, for use in mainland transport and identity verification. However, the electronic temporary pass is not the same as the official Home Visit Permit; if you need to leave Mainland China and return to Hong Kong, you should enquire with the local public security authority’s exit-entry administration department about a one-off exit document or other departure arrangements.

Under normal circumstances, applications for the Home Visit Permit require an advance online appointment, and the document service centre may not provide same-day, walk-in processing. If the applicant is unable to complete the online appointment on their own, they may ask relatives or friends for assistance, or enquire with the document service centre whether staff can provide appropriate support.

In the event of an emergency, such as visiting a sick relative, attending a funeral, seeking medical treatment, studying, or urgent business matters, the applicant may provide relevant supporting documents or an explanation to the document service centre to enquire whether expedited processing or special arrangements can be made. Actual arrangements will depend on the individual circumstances and official approval.

Some eligible persons, such as elderly people aged 70 or above, or babies under three months old, may use the “Green Channel” service in accordance with China Travel Service arrangements. Actual eligibility and processing arrangements are subject to the latest announcement by China Travel Service.

CTS Travel Agency has passport services centres across multiple districts in Hong Kong, where Hong Kong residents can apply for the Home Return Permit. Opening hours are generally Monday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and closed on Sundays and public holidays. Actual opening arrangements, addresses and service scope may be updated, so please check the official information before setting off.

Common passport services centres include:

• Hong Kong Island Centre: 14/F, Lower Block, New Kent Centre, 181 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
• East Kowloon Centre: Room 202, Enterprise Square One, 9 Chong Yip Street, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon
• West Kowloon Centre: 20/F, K83, 83 Lai Chi Kok Road, Kwai Chung, New Territories
• New Territories East Centre: Room J, 26/F, Kings Wing Plaza 2, 1 On Kwan Street, Shek Mun, Shatin, New Territories
• New Territories West Centre: Units 07-16, 27/F, Tuen Mun Central Square, 22 Hoi Wing Road, Tuen Mun, New Territories
• Tseung Kwan O Centre: Shop G20-26, G/F, The Monterey, 23 Tong Yin Street, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories

Some centres may only provide limited services due to works, venue arrangements or service adjustments. Please check the latest arrangements before visiting to avoid making a wasted trip.

If you frequently travel to Mainland China or take short trips overseas, it is worth checking whether your travel insurance covers benefits such as loss of travel documents, additional transport and accommodation expenses. The scope of cover, claims limits and required documents vary across plans, so you should compare the terms before taking out a policy.If you would like to learn more about travel insurance, please refer to10Life的旅遊保險比較, and use the actuarial scoring system to choose the insurance product that best suits your needs. 

1. Do I need an appointment to renew a Home Return Permit?

Yes. For renewal, replacement of an expired permit, replacement due to loss, or a first-time application for a Home Return Permit, you generally need to make an online appointment and complete the application details in advance, then attend the Document Services Centre at the appointed time.

2. Can I travel to Mainland China with an expired Home Return Permit?

In general, it is not recommended to use an expired Home Return Permit for immigration clearance. If your Home Return Permit has expired, you should first make an appointment to apply for a new one and allow sufficient time for processing.

3. Do I need to renew my Home Return Permit if it has less than 6 months’ validity remaining?

If your Home Return Permit has less than 6 months’ validity remaining, it is advisable to arrange renewal as soon as possible, especially if you plan to travel north in the near future, so as to avoid affecting your itinerary.

4. How long does it take to renew a Home Return Permit?

For standard applications, the estimated processing time is about 12 working days; for expedited applications, it is about 5 working days. The actual collection time may vary depending on the approval and delivery arrangements.

5. Can I take the photo for my Home Return Permit myself?

Yes, but the photo must meet the specified requirements and pass the photo verification, with a valid photo verification receipt obtained. If you are unsure whether the photo is acceptable, you may consider using a document photo service that provides a Home Return Permit photo verification receipt.

Note: The information in this article is for reference only. The application requirements, fees, processing time, arrangements for the electronic temporary travel permit, and the addresses of the document service centres for the Home Visit Permit may be updated. The latest details published by Hong Kong China Travel Service (Document Service) Limited, the National Immigration Administration, and the relevant exit-entry administration authorities shall prevail.

Last updated: 24 June 2026.

This English version of this article has been generated by machine translation powered by AI. It is provided solely for reference purposes. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this translation and the original Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.