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Home Return Permit Complete Guide 2026: Application, Renewal, Fast Pass & Lost Procedures

Author Bowtie 團隊

Updated on 2026-07-29

For Hong Kong residents traveling to mainland China for leisure or business, the Home Return Permit is an indispensable document. What should you do if you discover your permit has expired right before departure, or if you lose it in the mainland? This article summarizes the latest 2026 guide on CTSHK online booking, expedited fast pass fees, photo specifications, and various emergency solutions for expired or lost permits.

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Latest Home Return Permit Policies & Updates (2026 Edition)

In recent years, there have been several updates to the Home Return Permit and border clearance policies. Please note the following key points before you travel or apply:

Self-Service Clearance Age Lowered: Since 2026, eligible Hong Kong permanent residents aged 7 or above can register to use the self-service clearance system (e-Channels) for faster border crossing.
Non-Chinese HK Permanent Residents Can Apply: The Mainland Travel Permit for Non-Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents (commonly known as the “Black Card”) has been fully implemented. Eligible non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents can now apply for a 5-year permit to facilitate self-service clearance in the mainland.
COVID-19 Extension Measures Expired: The previous pandemic-related extension measures for expired Home Return Permits have long ended. All expired permits are now invalid for immigration clearance and must be renewed as early as possible.

Emergency Solutions for Expired / Lost Permits (Must-Read for Mainland Travelers)

If you discover your Home Return Permit has expired or been lost right before departure, at the border, or even during your trip in the mainland, do not panic. There are specific emergency solutions for different scenarios:

Scenario 1: Expired Permit Discovered Before Departure (CTSHK Expedited Pass)

If you still have a short time before your departure and you have special reasons such as visiting a sick relative, seeking medical treatment, attending a funeral, studying, or urgent business, you can try applying for an Expedited Pass (Fast Pass) at CTSHK:

Processing Time: As fast as 5 working days (standard applications take 12 working days).
Fees: In addition to the basic fee, an extra surcharge of HK$280 is required (making the total cost HK$670 for an adult expedited pass and HK$540 for a child).
Restrictions: The quota and approval of expedited passes depend on the daily availability and the applicant’s actual emergency circumstances. It is highly recommended to book online as early as possible.

Scenario 2: Expired Permit Discovered at the Border (Single-Entry Temporary Pass)

If you only realize your permit is expired after arriving at a Hong Kong border control point, you can apply on-site for a “Single-Entry Temporary Pass” (commonly known as “Lin Tong”) at designated ports with a CTSHK office:

Application Locations: Inside the joint inspection buildings of major ports such as Luohu, Shenzhen Bay, Huanggang, and Futian.
Business Hours: Varies slightly by port, generally from 09:00 to 18:00 (it is advisable to double-check the specific operating hours of your chosen port before heading there).
Fees and Validity: The fee is roughly several hundred RMB (depending on the specific port and whether on-site photos are required). It is valid for 3 months for a single entry and exit.

Scenario 3: Lost or Expired Permit in the Mainland (Digital Temporary Pass)

If you lose your Home Return Permit or it expires while you are in the mainland, you can apply for a digital emergency solution via your mobile phone:

Search for the “NIA 12367” (移民局12367) mini-program on WeChat or Alipay.
Select “Chinese Citizen Services” (中國公民服務), then click on “Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Residents (Temporary)”.
Fill in your personal information and complete facial recognition to receive the Digital Temporary Pass.

Crucial Limitation: This Digital Temporary Pass is strictly for taking high-speed rails, domestic flights, and hotel check-ins within mainland China. It absolutely cannot be used for cross-border immigration clearance. To return to Hong Kong, you must still visit the exit-entry administration department of a mainland Public Security Bureau to apply for a physical permit.

Comparison: Single-Entry Temporary Pass vs. Digital Temporary Pass

Item	Single-Entry Temporary Pass	Digital Temporary Pass
Application Location	CTSHK Offices at major cross-border ports	WeChat / Alipay Mobile App
Applicable Scenarios	Cross-border immigration clearance	Domestic transport (High-speed rail/Flights) & accommodation in the mainland
Validity	3 months (Single entry and exit)	7 days
Format	Physical paper document	Electronic QR code

Scenario 4: How to Renew While in the Mainland (Shenzhen PSB WeChat Booking)

For Hong Kong residents living in the mainland long-term or those finding it inconvenient to return to Hong Kong, mainland public security organs now fully offer Home Return Permit renewal and replacement services:

Search and follow the official “Shenzhen Public Security” (深圳公安) WeChat account.
Enter “Government Services” (政務服務), select “Exit-Entry Business” (出入境業務), and click on “Hong Kong and Macao Residents” (港澳居民).
Fill in your details and book an appointment at the nearest branch of the Shenzhen Public Security Bureau Exit-Entry Administration.

Processing takes about 7 working days. The fee is RMB 350 for adults (10-year validity) and RMB 230 for children (5-year validity).

Home Return Permit Application Eligibility & Validity

The validity and application eligibility for a Home Return Permit vary based on the applicant’s age and nationality background:

10-Year Permit: Applicable to Chinese nationals who are Hong Kong permanent residents aged 18 or above.
5-Year Permit: Applicable to children under 18 and eligible non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents.
First-Time Application vs. Renewal: First-time applicants must apply in person and have their nationality proofs (such as an HKSAR passport) verified. For renewals, applicants simply need to bring their old permit before it expires.

Online Booking Guide & Self-Service Kiosks

CTSHK has fully canceled on-site ticketing and no longer accepts same-day walk-ins. All general applicants must make an appointment online in advance.

Online Booking: Log into the CTSHK Permit Booking System and fill in your details.
Fill in Information: Select the application category (First-time / Renewal / Lost Replacement), and enter personal details such as your HKID number.
Select a Center: Choose your preferred Document Service Center and timeslot, then note down the booking reference number upon confirmation.
Self-Service Kiosks: If the applicant is aged 18 or above, meets the renewal conditions, and has no name change records, they can use the “Self-Service Kiosk” at the center. The whole process takes only a few minutes.

Green Channel (Walk-in Exemption)

Despite the full implementation of online bookings, CTSHK still provides a “Green Channel” that exempts certain vulnerable groups from booking restrictions. Seniors aged 70 or above, infants under 3 months old, and persons with disabilities or special needs are given priority. They can have relatives or friends assist them with online registration or proceed directly to the Document Service Centers for on-site staff assistance.

Required Documents and Photo Specifications

When applying for a Home Return Permit, the following documents must be prepared. Missing any of them may result in your application being rejected:

Adult Renewal: Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card, and the original and photocopy of the old Home Return Permit.
Child First-Time Application: Hong Kong Identity Card (if any), birth certificate, HKSAR passport, and the parents’ or guardians’ ID documents.
Non-Chinese Residents: In addition to the Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card, a valid foreign passport and nationality proof issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department are required.

Photo Requirements & Specifications (Doc9303)

The photo specifications for the Home Return Permit are extremely strict and must comply with the ICAO DOC9303 standards:

The background must be pure white.
Applicants cannot wear white or high-necked clothing.
Tinted or thick-framed glasses are not allowed, and the lenses must not reflect light.
Hair must not cover the eyebrows and eyes.
When submitting the photo, a “Photo Compliance Test Receipt” issued by a testing center or a self-service photo booth is strictly required.

Application Fees and Processing Time

Whether applying for standard processing or an Expedited Pass, fees must be paid at the time of application (cash, Octopus, EPS, or credit cards are accepted):

Application Category	Standard Processing (Takes 12 Working Days)	Expedited Pass (Takes 5 Working Days)
Adult (10-Year)	HK$390	HK$670
Child (5-Year)	HK$260	HK$540

CTSHK Center Locations and Business Hours

CTSHK currently operates 5 Document Service Centers across Hong Kong (Note: The Mong Kok center has permanently closed). The business hours are generally Monday to Saturday, 09:00 – 17:00 (Closed on Sundays and public holidays):

Service Center	Address
Hong Kong Island Center	14/F, Low Block, Grand Millennium Plaza, 181 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan
Kowloon East Center	Suite 202, Enterprise Square 1, 9 Sheung Yuet Road, Kowloon Bay
Kowloon West Center	20/F & 22/F, K83, 83 Tai Lin Pai Road, Kwai Chung
New Territories East Center	Unit J, 26/F, Kings Wing Plaza 2, 1 On Kwan Street, Shek Mun, Sha Tin
New Territories West Center	Unit 07-16, 27/F, Tuen Mun Central Square, 22 Hoi Wing Road, Tuen Mun

(For any inquiries regarding bookings or addresses, you can call the CTSHK customer service hotline.)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cross the border if my Home Return Permit expires in less than a month?

Yes. As long as your Home Return Permit is still valid on the day of crossing, you can pass through immigration smoothly. However, you must ensure that your return date also falls within the validity period of the permit. To avoid unexpected disruptions to your trip, it is highly recommended to renew your permit when it has less than 6 months of validity left.

Can I travel to mainland China with an expired Home Return Permit?

No. Once a physical Home Return Permit expires, it cannot be used for border clearance. If you need to travel to the mainland urgently, you are advised to apply for an Expedited Pass at CTSHK or obtain a “Single-Entry Temporary Pass” on-site when you arrive at the designated ports.

Can I walk in to apply for a Home Return Permit without an appointment?

Generally, no. CTSHK has fully canceled on-site queuing tickets, and all applicants must book online in advance. The only exception is if you qualify for the “Green Channel” (such as seniors over 70, infants under 3 months old, and persons with special needs), who are exempt from the mandatory online booking.

Is there a fee to change my Home Return Permit appointment time?

Changing or canceling your appointment in the online system is completely free of charge, but you must complete the operation before your original scheduled time. If you miss your appointments multiple times without a valid reason, it may negatively affect your eligibility to make future bookings.

What should I do if my photo for the Home Return Permit fails the compliance check?

To prevent self-provided photos from failing the Doc9303 specifications, it is highly recommended to use the self-service photo booths located inside the CTSHK service centers. The machines will instantly verify your photo, ensuring a 100% guarantee that you will receive the required Photo Compliance Test Receipt to complete your application.

What should I do if all CTSHK appointment slots are fully booked?

If your nearest Document Service Center is fully booked, you can try booking cross-district at locations that are further away (such as New Territories West or New Territories East). Alternatively, if you are currently in mainland China, you can use the “Shenzhen Public Security” WeChat official account to book an appointment for renewal locally in the mainland.

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Bowtie 團隊