I. Passport Types, Objects and Issuing Authorities

(1) Types People's Republic of China Passport is a document issued to Chinese citizens by the Chinese Government to prove their nationality and identity when they go into or leave the country, and travel or live abroad. There are several types of passports, i.e. diplomatic passport, service passport, ordinary passport, and SAR passport. Service passport includes service passport and public ordinary passport while SAR passport includes Hong Kong SAR passport and Macao SAR passport. Diplomatic passport, service passport, and public ordinary passport are collectively called Passport for Public Affairs.

Maximum period of validity of diplomatic and service passports is 5 years while that of ordinary passport is 10 years. Upon expiration new passport will be issued. Usually, period of validity of Hong Kong SAR passport is 10 years while those issued to children under 16 years old only have a period of validity of 5 years. Period of validity of Macao SAR passport is 10 years while those issued to children under 18 years old only have a period of validity of 5 years.

(2) Objects Diplomatic passport is mainly issued to senior Party, Government, and Military officials, main leaders of NPC, CPPCC, and democratic parties, diplomatic officers, consular officers and their spouses, minor children and diplomatic couriers, etc.

Service passport is mainly issued to governmental officials whose professional title is above deputy director, personnel who work abroad for diplomatic, consular institutions, and UN systems and special institutions and their spouse and minor children, etc.

Public ordinary passport is mainly issued to governmental officials whose professional titles are below deputy director and personnel of state-owned enterprises and public institutions.

Ordinary passport is mainly issued to Chinese citizens who need to go abroad for personal reasons, such as settlement, visiting relatives and friends, inheritance of fortune, study, employment, and tourism, etc.

Hong Kong SAR passport is issued to Chinese citizens who hold a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Macao SAR passport is issued to Chinese citizens who hold a Macao permanent identity card.

(3) Issuing Authorities The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for issuing diplomatic passport, service passport, and public ordinary passport and handling all procedures for the above passports for public affairs. Since the use of new-version passports on May 1, 2002, diplomatic passport has been issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs only.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has authorized Foreign Affairs Offices of the people’s governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government and Foreign Affairs Offices of cities specifically designated in the state plan, special economic zones, and coastal opened cities to be responsible for issuing service passport and public ordinary passport and handling all procedures for the above passports for public affairs. Since the use of new-version passports, Foreign Affairs Offices of the people’s governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government are responsible for applying to Consular Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs for issuing diplomatic passports. Currently there are 60 authorities, including Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which can issue a passport for public affairs.

The Ministry of Public Security has authorized to local public security authorities to be responsible for issuing ordinary passports and handling all procedures for ordinary passports. According to the Basic Laws of the Hong Kong SAR and the Macao SAR, the Central Government has authorized Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR governments to issue Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR passports as per laws.

Embassies of the People’s Republic of China in foreign countries are responsible for issuing service passport, public ordinary passport and ordinary passport and handling all procedures for the above passports as well as handling affairs relating Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR passports and other travel documents. Consulate generals and consulates of the People’s Republic of China in foreign countries are responsible for issuing public ordinary passport and ordinary passport and handling all procedures for the above passports as well as handling affairs relating Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR passports and other travel documents.

Offices of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong and Macao are responsible for issuing service passport, public ordinary passport and ordinary passport and handling all procedures for the above passports.

II. Other Travel Documents of the People’s Republic of China

(1) People’s Republic of China Travel Document People’s Republic of China Travel Document is an international travel document that can replace a passport. It is issued to the following persons by diplomatic, consular institutions of the People’s Republic of China in foreign countries as well as other institutions abroad authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China: 1. Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan compatriots who do not hold a pass for Hong Kong and Macao residents to travel to and from inland China or a pass for Taiwanese residents to travel to and from Mainland China; 2. Taiwan compatriots who hold a Taiwanese identity card and cannot apply for an alien visa; and 3. Chinese citizens who fail to apply for a passport due to certain restrictions, e.g. time inadequacy.

(2) People’s Republic of China Seafarer's Identity Certificate The Seafarer's Identity Certificate is issued by the Maritime Safety Administration under Ministry of Communications and its authorized maritime affairs institutions to Chinese seafarers who need to go abroad to complete a seafaring mission. Currently, some Chinese seafarers only hold a Seafarer's Identity Certificate when they go abroad. Other seafarers must apply for a passport if they need to go abroad.

(3) Hong Kong Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (HKDI) HKDI is issued by Hong Kong SAR Government to Hong Kong citizens who fails to be issued a Hong Kong SAR passport or other countries (regions)’ travel documents.

(4) Hong Kong Seafarer's Identity Certificate The Hong Kong Seafarer's Identity Certificate is issued to Hong Kong residents who hold an Employment Registration Book issued by Marine Department of Hong Kong SAR Government.

(5) Macao SAR Travel Document Macao SAR Travel Document is issued by Macao SAR Government to Macao residents who fail to be issued a Macao SAR passport (including foreigners).

(CNTA)