Hong Kong passport ranking

Hong Kong Passport Ranking

The Hong Kong passport ranking relative to other global passports is calculated by adding up the number of countries that allow Hong Kong passport holders to enter without a visa (i.e. visa-free countries) and those that allow Hong Kong passport holders to enter by obtaining a visa on arrival (i.e. visa-on-arrival countries) or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). There are currently a total of 138 Hong Kong passport visa-free countries, 33 Hong Kong visa-on-arrival countries, and 5 eTA destinations.

Altogether, Hong Kong passport holders can enter a total of 176 destinations—either without a visa, through a visa on arrival, or via an eTA. As a result, the Hong Kong passport ranks 17 in the world.

Separate from these Hong Kong visa-free countries and visa-on-arrival countries, there are 53 additional destinations which Hong Kong passport holders either need a physical visa to enter or an eVisa (i.e. visa required countries).

About Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China is a former British colony. It consists of 3 regions and over 200 islands. The 3 regions are Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories. It is located in Eastern Asia, bordering the People’s Republic of China and the South China Sea. Hong Kong has a surface area of 2,755 square kilometers. Its climate is mostly subtropical and temperate for half of the year. The terrain is dominated by mountainous steep slopes with some lowlands in the north.

The population is over 7.2 million people. It is one of the most densely populated places in the world. The Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is the largest airport in the territory with more than 71 million yearly passengers. More than 100 airlines operate from the airport and have flights to 180 destinations across the globe.

The Hong Kongese culture is a blend of British and Cantonese heritage. The main religions of the country are Chinese Folk religions, Buddhism, Taoism and Christianity. The official languages are English, Mandarin and Cantonese. The legal system is the English common law with the Chinese customary law being applied in family and tenure matters. The government type is a devolved executive-led system within a socialist republic. The chief of state is President of China, Xi Jinping. The head of government is Chief Executive Carrie Lam. Elections take place every 5 years and the president is elected indirectly by the Election Committee.

The official currency of the country is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD) with the current exchange rate being HKD 7.7 to the USD. Hong Kong has an open economy, generating a GDP of approximately $439 billion, making it the 5th largest economy East Asia. Its citizens have a per capita income of $58,165. The GDP is mostly made up of the services industry only. The country is highly dependent on international trade and finance and therefore volatile with the international markets.

Hong Kong is filled with a variety of urban and cultural attractions. It is especially known for its history and beautiful landscapes, attracting tourists during winter and summer. Some of the major attractions include the Star Ferry, Victoria Peak, the Big Buddha, the Wong Tai Sin Temple, Repulse Bay and Ocean Park. The nation has a total of approximately 55.9 million tourists visiting every year. The majority of tourists are originating from Mainland China.