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Hong Kong Visa Policy

Hong Kong Visa
Sample (click to enlarge)

Hong Kong visa is not required for tourists from more than 160 countries. A stay ranging from 7 to 180 days is granted according to nationality. People from those Hong Kong visa free countries, however, need to get a HK visa if they intend to work, study, establish or join in a business there or if their tour is beyond the granted visa-free stay length. Also, other countries' citizens have to get a HK visa before leaving for HK as it's almost impossible to get it on arrival.

Although Hong Kong is a part of China, as a Special Administrative Region (SAR), it has its own entry regulations. This means the normal Chinese visa does not work for Hong Kong and vice versa.

Generally, Hong Kong is very open to foreigners who simply want to visit as a tourist to conduct business activities for an overseas business such as visiting clients and prospects, providing training, or attending trade fairs. Overall, the rules are essentially the same as under the British administration that preceded the SAR's return to Chinese control.

Always remember that all countries and Chinese SARs have the right to refuse entry to any person, whatever the regulations permit, and that even when you have a visa you can be denied entry at the border. Also, the information provided here is for people travelling on standard passports, not special ones like diplomatic or service passports, nor special or restricted passports.
 

Do I need a visa to visit Hong Kong?

Most tourists do not require a visa for a visit to HK. Please see the HK Visa Exemption for Foreign Countries/Areas. All visitors arriving at Immigration control points will be issued with landing slips in lieu of stamping on their passports/travel documents. Conditions and limit of stay in HK, as well as visitor’s personal information and arrival date will be included in the landing slip. Upon departure, no slip will be issued and the travel documents will not be stamped.

The most favored are British nationals who, provided they meet the basic criteria, may enter HK for 180 days without obtaining a visa in advance. USA citizens, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and most European nationals may enter for 90 days. Others are variously restricted to 30, 14, or 7 days, or in the case of a few countries will only be permitted to enter having previously obtained a visa. Most tourists can easily take the ferry from HK to Macau which has a policy similar to Hong Kong's and typically they will not normally require a Macau visa. They can exit Hong Kong and re-enter for another stay. There is usually no problem re-entering unless the immigration authorities feel you are breaking some rules such as being engaged in business. However, you may be allowed to visit for a longer duration by applying for a visa prior to travel - but it is at the discretion of the consular office whether to grant it or not.

 Note: From January 23, 2017, Indian nationals will need to make a success pre-arrival registration online before they can visit or transit and enter the HKSAR visa-free. Indians in direct transit by air and not leaving the airport transit area are not required to do so.
 

Basic Entry Requirements for All Foreign Visitors

• have a minimum validity on passport of 1 month beyond the intended stay, or the duration of the visa may be restricted so that there will be one month after the visa expiry
• properly complete the immigration card on arrival
• have a visa if your nationality is required to have one
• have onward or return travel arrangements
• have sufficient funds for your stay without working, based on Immigration's definition, not yours
• no serious criminal records and unlikely to be involved in crime, nor be considered a security risk


Most travelers, especially from western countries, are not checked for compliance with the last three but all travelers should allow for the possibility that immigration might choose to check you. You should also check with your airline's regulations as they may not allow you to fly if you do not meet the stated entry requirements.
 

Major Types of HK Visa

Tourist / Business / Transit / Employment and Investment / Training / Working holiday / Study / Residence as Dependants
 Where to Apply / Required Documents / Processing Time / Fees

Visitors are normally not permitted to change the type issued or move from a non-visa situation to obtaining one after arrival but of course it is easy to exit HK and apply for a Hong Kong Visa again.

There is full information on the HK Immigration Department webpage:

http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/immigration-entry-guideline.html
You can get all the forms and the guidelines from the website.

  Foreign Consulates in Hong Kong

- Last updated on Jan. 12, 2023 -
Questions & Answers on Hong Kong Visa Policy
Asked by Amanda from USA | Mar. 24, 2023 10:06Reply
Boston to Guangzhou (but flying into Hong Kong)
Hi -- I am traveling for work from Boston to Guangzhou. The flight options are terrible. It would be better if I flew Boston to Hong Kong, and took a ferry to Guangzhou. On the return, I would take a ferry from Guangzhou back to Hong Kong for a flight back to Boston. So technically, my flight would be a round trip from Boston to Hong Kong, but I need to be in Guangzhou for work and need a China Visa. I am staying there for approximetely 2 weeks. While over there, we need to take a 2-day trip from Guangzhou to Vietnam and back to Guangzhou. Can you please help guidance on what my best option is?
Answers (1)
Answered by Dave | Mar. 26, 2023 19:32
00Reply


So your route will be Boston - HK - Guangzhou - Vietnam - Guangzhou - HK - Boston.

As you will travel by ferry from HK to Guangzhou, you need to apply for a visa in advance.

For the second entry to Guangzhou from Vietnam, if you will fly in, you can make use of the 144-hour visa free transit and no visa will be needed by showing the ticket to HK.
Asked by Syed from UNITED KINGDOM | Mar. 18, 2023 09:41Reply
Can I travel with UK redsindency
Hi I have Pakistani passport and UK redsindency . I live in UK ,can I travel without visa or I need evisa or proper visa .
Answers (1)
Answered by Scott | Mar. 19, 2023 19:23
00Reply


Pakistan passport holders need to apply for a visa in advance to visit Hong Kong.
Asked by John from UNITED KINGDOM | Mar. 06, 2023 07:20Reply
Entering Hong Kong from London, traveling to Seoul and then back to Hong Kong before flying to Londo
I plan to visit Hong Kong from London on a British passport, stay a few days then travel by air to Seoul for another few days and then back to Hong Kong in order to catch a flight back to London. Total duration 14 days. Is this kind of entry-exit-reentry allowed on a British Passport traveling as a tourist on a visa exception?
Answers (1)
Answered by Mark | Mar. 07, 2023 17:42
00Reply


Your route is fine for the visa exception. Have fun~
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