VISA
Visas / Entry Permits
In general, unless a person has the right of abode or right to land in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR), he/she requires a visa/entry permit to work, study, establish
or
join in any business, take up residence or to stay in the HKSAR as a visitor longer than the
allowed visa free period.
Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
General
This chapter sets out the visa or entry permit requirements of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China. It cannot be taken as a
full
statement of the law governing immigration.
Even where all immigration requirements set out in this chapter are met, travellers should
not
assume that they can gain automatic entry. The HKSAR immigration authorities have the right
to
refuse any person permission to land except those in Part I of this chapter.
If you need advice on individual cases, please address your enquiries to:
- any Chinese diplomatic and consular mission; or
- the Immigration Department.
1. If you have a close connection with the HKSAR by birth or long period of residence in the
Region, you may not require a visa or entry permit. Please read Part I of this chapter.
2. If Part I does not apply to you, you will need a visa or entry permit to work, study,
establish or join in any business or to take up residence in the HKSAR. However, you may not
need a visa or entry permit for visit, depending on your nationality / type of travel
document
you hold. Please read Part II of this chapter.
Part I
3. No visa or entry permit is required for any purpose if you hold any of the following
travel
documents:
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport,
- Hong Kong Re-entry permit (for entry from the Mainland of China and the Macao Special
Administrative Region only),
- Hong Kong Seaman's Identity Book,
- Hong Kong Document of Identity for Visa Purposes provided that the document is valid or
the
holder's limit of stay in Hong Kong has not expired.
- Travel documents bearing one of the following endorsements:
- "Holder's eligibility for Hong Kong permanent identity card verified."
- "The holder of this travel document has the right to land in Hong Kong. (Section
2AAA,
Immigration Ordinance, Cap. 115, Laws of Hong Kong)"
- Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card.
Part II
4. Unless Part I applies to you, you require a visa or entry permit to work, study,
establish or
join in any business or to take up residence in the HKSAR. Otherwise, you are taking the
risk of
being refused admission on arrival.
5. Visitors are required to have adequate funds to cover the duration of their stay without
working and, unless in transit to the Mainland of China or the Macao Special Administrative
Region, to hold onward or return tickets. If you want to stay longer than the visa free
period
allowed, you must apply for a visa or entry permit before travelling to the HKSAR.
6. Visitors are not allowed by law to take up employment (paid or unpaid), to establish or
join
in any business, or to enter school as a student, nor, except in the most unusual
circumstances,
are visitors allowed to change their immigration status after arrival.
7. You may apply for the appropriate visa or entry permit from the nearest Chinese
diplomatic
and consular mission[Note] (visit visa applications from Indian nationals should be
submitted to
the HKSAR Immigration Department direct).
8. As an alternative, you may also submit your visa or entry permit application to the HKSAR
Immigration Department either directly by post or through a local sponsor. To shorten the
processing time, application forms and supporting documents can be sent by fax to (852) 2824
1133 in the first instance. However, the original copy of the duly completed application
form
and the photographs required should be sent immediately to the HKSAR Immigration Department
by
air mail. A visa/entry permit will be issued only on receipt of an original, properly
completed
visa/entry permit application form.
9. If you are a Chinese resident of Taiwan, you should submit your application for an entry
permit through one of the authorised airlines.
10. There are separate information leaflets regarding the arrangements for entry in respect
of
residents of the Mainland of China (ID 894A) and for overseas Chinese and Chinese residents
of
Taiwan (ID 895A). You can also obtain information here for entry to Hong Kong from the
Mainland
of China. Information on arrangements for entry to Hong Kong SAR for overseas Chinese and
Chinese residents of Taiwan can be obtained here.
11. Persons who need a visa or entry permit for visit (or purposes other than a visit)
should
obtain the appropriate visa or entry permit before travelling to the HKSAR.
12. HKSAR visa requirements for the following foreign countries / territories: (Please refer
to
the Hong Kong Immigration Department)
13. The information in this chapter on visa or entry permit requirements for visitors to the
HKSAR is updated in January 2025. There may be subsequent changes.
NOTICE:
Should your application be denied, the organizing committee cannot change the decision of
visa officer, nor will CONF-MLA engage in discussion or correspondence with the visa
application center on behalf of the applicant. The registration fee CANNOT be refunded when
the VISA application of individual being denied.
