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The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Seaman's Identity Book is a seafarer’s identity document for providing the holder with identity papers in lieu of a national passport. It is without prejudice to and in no way affects the holder’s nationality status. The HKSAR Seaman's Identity Book is usually valid for 10 years upon issue.

As long as the holder of the HKSAR Seaman's Identity Book is in sea-going employment, he can use it as an identity document and return to Hong Kong without a visa during the period of its validity and 12 months after its expiry.

A person is eligible for a HKSAR Seaman's Identity Book if he/she is a bona fide seafarer and meets one of the following criteria:

• a Chinese citizen who either has the right of abode or is on unconditional stay in Hong Kong; or
• a HKSAR resident not of Chinese nationality, who either has the right of abode or is on unconditional stay in Hong Kong, and is unable to obtain a national passport or travel document of any other country or territory.

Through Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions

Applicants may submit their applications by post or in person to the nearest Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions. Applications will be forwarded to the Travel Documents and Nationality (Application) Section of the HKSAR Immigration Department for processing.

By post to the Immigration Department in Hong Kong

Alternatively, applicants can send their applications by post to:

Travel Documents and Nationality (Application) Section
2nd Floor, Administration Tower,
Immigration Headquarters,
61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O,
New Territories

Please note that this option will require the applicants to collect the HKSAR Seaman's Identity Book in person at the Travel Documents (Issue) Section of the Immigration Department in Hong Kong. Upon collection, the applicants have to produce the originals of the supporting documents for verification.

Replacement of Seaman's Identity Book

If the applicant applies for a replacement HKSAR Seaman's Identity Book, his/her previous HKSAR Seaman's Identity Book should be produced for cancellation upon collection of the new one. If the applicant’s previous HKSAR Seaman's Identity Book has been lost, damaged or is not available, he/she has to provide reasons of its unavailability in Form ID 645. The applicant should also produce an acknowledgement from the police authorities of the report on the loss of the previous HKSAR Seaman's Identity Book.

Details of previous Hong Kong Travel Document which has been lost / damaged / defaced / is not available (Form ID 645)

Applicants should complete the application form in block letters with a black or blue pen. For applicants under 18, section 3 of the form must be completed and signed by a parent or legal guardian to confirm his/her consent to the application.

Applicants can obtain the application form from the nearest Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions or HKSAR Immigration Branch Offices.

List of Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions

List of Immigration Branch Offices for travel document applications

Offices at Immigration Headquarters for Travel Document Applications

Applicants can also download the form on the following link:

• Application for HKSAR Seaman’s Identity Book (Form ID 94)

Applicants have to submit the duly completed application form together with their photographs and photocopies of the supporting documents required.

Applicants should submit three identical recent photographs upon application. Requirements of the photograph are as follows:

• the photographs should be taken full face, without a hat;
• the background should be plain;
• the size must not be larger than 55 X 45 mm or smaller than 50 x 40 mm; and
• the photographic paper should be of the normal thin type, unglazed on the back and unmounted. Photographs from self-service photographic kiosks can be accepted only if the paper is not of plastic synthetic material and can be firmly affixed to the travel documents. Photographs taken from self-service photographic kiosks in Immigration Department offices are all acceptable.

When the applicant submits his/her application, he/she should provide the photocopies of the documents required on A4-size paper (i.e. 210 x 297 mm). All photocopies submitted will not be returned.

Applicants Aged 18 or Above

(a) A copy of his/her Hong Kong identity card (only the side with the personal particulars and photograph is required);

(b) A copy of Hong Kong Seaman's Employment Registration Book; and

(c) A completed fee payment form (Form ID 856) together with a cheque or bank draft made payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" in Hong Kong currency or US dollar. The fee is payable at the time of application. The collection of fee does not constitute any assurance that the HKSAR Seaman's Identity Book applied for will be issued.

Additional Requirements for Applicants Aged Under 18

In addition to (a) to (c) above, the following supporting documents are required:

(d) Section 3 of the application form (Form ID 94) completed and signed by the consenting parent or legal guardian to confirm his / her consent to the application;

(e) A copy of the consenting parent or legal guardian's Hong Kong identity card or valid travel document(s);

(f) A copy of the birth certificate (not required if it is issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department) to prove his/her relationship with the consenting parent; or a court order (if appropriate) to prove that the consenting legal guardian has custodial rights in respect of him/her; and

(g) If the applicant is married, only a copy of his/her marriage certificate (not required if it is issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department) is required. Items (d) to (f) are not required.

Points to Note

• If the applicant submits the application in person, he/she should bring along the original documents. All photocopies submitted should be of A4 size (210 x 297 mm) and will NOT be returned.
• An application with insufficient supporting documents will not be processed and will be returned to the applicant. Additional documents or information may be required if necessary.

Applicants should submit their applications with a completed fee payment form (Form ID 856) and a crossed cheque or bank draft made payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" in Hong Kong currency or US dollars. No cash should be sent with the applications.

If applicants submit the application through the Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Mission, they are required to pay for the costs of forwarding their applications to the HKSAR Immigration Department and any handling charges incurred.

Applicants can obtain the fee payment form (Form ID 856) from the nearest Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions or HKSAR Immigration Branch Offices. Applicants can also download the form from the website below:

Fee payment form (Form ID 856) for HKSAR Seaman’s Identity Book

Fee