Hong Kong Visa
Table of contents
Traveling to Hong Kong
With a thriving economy and vibrant culture, Hong Kong is a popular destination for business, studies, tourism, and more. It is particularly popular for entrepreneurs and investors looking for innovative opportunities.
While there are about 170 nationalities who are eligible to travel without a visa to Hong Kong for a period ranging from seven (7) to 180 days, other nationalities need to obtain a visa before arriving. Applicants for a Hong Kong visa can choose between several visa categories to find the visa type that best suits their needs.
The validity period of the visa will depend on the visa type, the applicant’s nationality, and the purpose of travel to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Visa Types
Hong Kong offers many types of visas for travelers of all kinds from businesspersons to students. The following are the major categories of visas offered by the Hong Kong Immigration Department:
- Visit/Transit visa:
- This visa type is intended for travelers coming to Hong Kong for short-term visits to engage in non-lucrative activities just as tourism, or are passing through Hong Kong before departing for an onward destination.
- Study/Residence visa:
- Visas in this category are issued to students who intend to take a study course in Hong Kong at an accredited academic institution. This visa can also be issued to individuals who wish to enter the Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR) for residence as dependants.
- Investment/Training/Other Employment visas:
- This visa category is for investors, employees, and other businesspersons coming to Hong Kong for the purpose of work, training, or investment.
- Foreign Domestic Helpers/Imported Workers visas
- Visas in this category are reserved for foreign domestic helpers or foreign workers employed in Hong Kong.
- Talent Admission visa:
- This visa type is issued to certain individuals who meet the merit criteria and intend to work or pursue entrepreneurship in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Visa Requirements
To apply for a Hong Kong visa, all applicants will submit documents depending on the purpose of the trip and the visa type. The following are the basic requirements for all Hong Kong visas:
A valid passport
Applicants must present a valid passport or travel document as well as a photocopy of the bio-data page that clearly shows all important identification information.
A complete visa application form
Forms can be completed online or by hand depending on the location of submission and the applicant’s nationality.
Recent passport-sized photo
Applicants should have a recent, clear passport-sized personal photograph to submit with their application.
Proof of subsistence
Applicants must be able to show they are capable of supporting themselves financially for the duration of their stay in Hong Kong.
Depending on the visa type, additional documents will be required. Additional supporting documents may include a sponsorship letter, travel itinerary, business contract, or letter of acceptance from an academic institution, to name a few.
Hong Kong Visa Application Steps
Applying for a Hong Kong visa can be done by either applying online or by applying in person at a foreign mission (embassy or consulate). In both cases, the applicant will receive an eVisa if their application is approved. This eVisa can be downloaded and printed out before traveling to Hong Kong.
The following steps can be taken to complete a Hong Kong visa application:
- Contact the nearest foreign mission
Applicants must contact the nearest Hong Kong embassy or consulate to inquire about the approved method of submission for the visa packet and the required documents for their specific visa type.
- Complete the visa application form
Visa application forms can be completed online via GovHK, or downloaded and completed by hand. In some cases, they can also be found and completed at the relevant immigration office or foreign mission.
- Schedule a visa appointment (if applicable)
Some nationalities may need to schedule an appointment with their nearest embassy or consulate to submit their visa application.
- Submit the required documents
The submission method for the required documents will depend on where the applicant submits their application. In most cases, the required documents can be submitted online. In the case of consular processing, the documents must be submitted by post or in-person to the foreign mission (embassy or consulate) where the applicant lodges their visa application.
- Pay the visa fee online
Applicants can pay the visa fee at the official payment portal provided they have received their approved application decision. If the application is submitted to an overseas Chinese diplomatic and consular mission, the visa fee should be paid directly to the Chinese diplomatic and consular mission.
- Receive and print the eVisa
Once their application is approved and the payment is complete, the applicant will be sent their eVisa. This should be downloaded and printed out by the applicant before traveling.
Where to Apply for Hong Kong Visa
Hong Kong visa applications can be completed online in most cases. However, some nationalities may need to submit their visa application and required documents in person or by post to the nearest embassy or consulate. In all cases, any visa approved on or after December 28, 2021, will be sent to the applicant as an eVisa. This is a PDF the applicant can download and print out before traveling.
Hong Kong Visa Processing Time
The processing times for the Hong Kong visa will vary depending on the visa type and where the applicant lodges their visa application. Some visa types can take up to four (4) weeks to process, so applicants are advised to submit all materials well in advance of their intended date of arrival in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Visa FAQ
A Hong Kong visa is a travel document that allows holders to legally travel into Hong Kong for business, tourism, studies, and other purposes. All Hong Kong visas approved on or after December 28, 2021, are issued as printable eVisas.
In most cases, Hong Kong visa applications can be completed online. Some nationalities are obliged to submit their application packets by post or in-person to the nearest embassy or consulate. In either scenario, any visa approved after December 28, 2021, will be sent to the applicant as an eVisa (PDF). Applicants can download and print this document to take with them when they travel.
Visa fees for Hong Kong visas will vary depending on the visa type and the purpose of travel.
The processing time for a Hong Kong visa will vary depending on the visa type and the location where the applicant submits their application. It is possible for some visa types to take as much as four (4) weeks to be processed, so it’s important for applicants to plan ahead.
