Hong Kong is one of the world’s most important financial centers and popular international tourist destinations. If you are planning to visit Hong Kong for any reason, you must know the different aspects of a Hong Kong visa for Indians, such as visa requirements, eligibility, application procedure, the validity of the registration, etc.
Hong Kong visa for Indians
Unlike a visa for other nations, Indian passport holders who want to visit Hong Kong are required to apply for Pre-arrival registration (PAR) before they visit the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) visa free. Indian nationals are not required to apply for pre-arrival registration for direct transit by air and not leaving the airport transit area.
Eligibility criteria for Hong Kong visa
To enter HKSAR, an Indian passport holder can apply for pre-arrival registration online free of charge if:
- The passport they hold is valid for at least six months.
- They intend to visit or transit (except in direct transit by air and not leaving the airport transit area).
- They don’t intend to stay in the HKSAR for more than 14 days.
Indian nationals belonging to the following categories may visit HKSAR without pre-arrival registration, provided normal immigration requirements are met:
- Indian official or diplomatic passport holders.
- Valid HKSAR Travel Pass holders.
- Holders of United Nations Laissez Passer visiting the HKSAR or transiting the HKSAR for official United Nations business to/ from a third country.
- Indian nationals who have enrolled for e-Channel service for frequent visits.
- Indian passport holders who have received a valid entry visa for the HKSAR.
In addition, Indian aircrew and seacrew members on board vessels, or a contract seaman can also go to HKSAR without pre-arrival registration, provided they meet normal immigration requirements.
Indian nationals must get a relevant visa from Immigration Department, if they:
- Need to visit the HKSAR for a period of more than 14 days.
- Or the purpose of visit to the HKSAR is employment, study, or to take up residence in the HKSAR.
Hong Kong visa application process
Here is the procedure to apply for a Hong Kong visa from India:
- Visit the designated website of the Hong Kong Government for pre-arrival registration.
- Provide the correct information in the pre-arrival registration form same as it is on your passport.
- Once you enter the information, the computer system will process the registration automatically and the registration result will be out instantly.
- After successful registration, print the “Notification Slip for Pre-arrival Registration for Indian Nationals” generated by the computer system.
- Crosscheck the information on the slip to verify if all the details are correct before signing it.
- If the pre-arrival registration is not successful, you should apply for a valid Hong Kong entry visa at the Immigration Department to visit HKSAR.
Validity of registration
- Pre-arrival registration is valid for a period of 6 months from its issuance.
- Subject to meeting normal immigration requirements, you can use a valid notification slip together with a valid Indian passport linked to the pre-arrival registration to make multiple visits to the HKSAR visa free, during the validity of the pre-arrival registration.
- You can stay in the HKSAR for up to 14 days on each visit.
- You can make a new registration after the current registration expires.
How to check the validity of the registration
You can check the validity of the registration online using the Pre-arrival Registration Validity Enquiry function. You can also download the Hong Kong Immigration Department Mobile App to check the validity of the registration.
In case the notification slip has been lost, defaced or damaged, you need to reprint the notification slip. Use the “View/Print Registration Notification Slip” function to retrieve the notification slip.
Documents required for Hong Kong PAR
Based on the visa type, here is the checklist of documents required for a Hong Kong visa for Indians:
Family visit visa
- A duly signed visa application form filled with correct information about the applicant.
- A cover letter mentioning the applicant’s name and the travel schedule.
- Copy of a certificate serving as proof of relationship of the applicant with the family member you are visiting Hong Kong. Such as a document that includes a spouse’s/ parent’s name, marriage certificate, or birth certificate.
- Financial documents, such as bank statements, salary slips, tax receipts, employment contracts, etc.
- A copy of the first and last pages of your passport.
- A copy of the flight itinerary containing all details about your trip to Hong Kong.
Documents that a visa sponsor should submit
- A copy of the invitation letter.
- Visa application form filled by the sponsor.
- A copy of the sponsor’s passport or Hong Kong ID card.
- Sponsor’s financial documents, such as bank statements, salary slips, tax receipts, employment proof, etc.
- A copy of residence proof in Hong Kong, such as electricity bill, lease agreement, phone bill, etc.
Business visit visa
- A duly signed visa application form filled with correct information about the applicant.
- Visa application to enter the HKSAR.
- A copy of the invitation letter from the sponsor.
- Copy for sponsor’s company/ business registration certificate.
Hong Kong visa fees for Indians
Indian nationals are not required to pay any charges for pre-arrival registration. However, if you intend to stay in the HKSAR for more than 14 days, you need to obtain a Hong Kong visa for Indians and pay visa fees as illustrated in the table below:
| Visa type | Fees |
|---|---|
| Pre-arrival registration (PAR) | NA |
| Immigration visa | 190 HKD i.e. Rs. 1745 approximately |
NRIs living in Hong Kong or HKSAR may have several India related queries. To ask any questions related to the rights of NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs, you can download SBNRI App from the Google Play Store or App Store. You can also use the SBNRI app for investment in stock market/ mutual funds, NRI account opening, tax filing, etc. To ask any questions, click on the button below. Also, visit our blog and YouTube channel for more details.
