Frequently Asked Questions

Nationals of about 170 countries and territories may visit Hong Kong without a visa/entry permit for a period ranging from 7 days to 180 days. For more information on visa/entry permit requirements for visitors to the HKSAR, you may refer to the "Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" webpage.

You can click here for online submission of application and uploading of supporting documents.

You can also submit the completed Application for Entry for Visit/Transit in Hong Kong (ID 1003A and ID 1003B) together with the relevant supporting documents to the Receipt and Despatch Unit, Ground Floor, Administration Tower, Immigration Headquarters, 61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories, either by post or through a local sponsor. To shorten 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 and properly completed visa/entry permit application form. Applications submitted by e-mail will not be accepted.

Alternatively, you may also submit their visa applications through the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions nearest to their place of residence^[Note]. Holders of foreign passports who are living in the Mainland of China may submit the applications to the Immigration Division of the Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing or the Immigration Division of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai.

[Note]:
Some Chinese diplomatic and consular missions have implemented the arrangement that applications for visas for Hong Kong from persons holding foreign ordinary passports will be handled by the "Chinese Visa Application Service Center". Applicants may contact the nearest Chinese diplomatic and consular mission for details.

A person who is a Chinese citizen holding a valid permanent identity card of the HKSAR and has the right of abode (ROA) in the HKSAR is eligible to apply for a HKSAR Passport.

You can submit your HKSAR passport application from Hong Kong or overseas.

Please see the following links for the required documents, fee and photograph to be enclosed:

Local application

Overseas application

According to paragraph 2(a) to (f) of Schedule 1 to the Immigration Ordinance, which came into operation on 1 July 1997, you are a permanent resident of, and can enjoy the right of abode in, the HKSAR if you fall into one of the following categories:

1. A Chinese citizen born in Hong Kong before or after the establishment of the HKSAR.
2. A Chinese citizen who has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than 7 years before or after the establishment of the HKSAR.
3. A person of Chinese nationality born outside Hong Kong before or after the establishment of the HKSAR to a parent who, at the time of birth of that person, was a Chinese citizen falling within category (a) or (b).
4. A person not of Chinese nationality who has entered Hong Kong with a valid travel document, has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than 7 years and has taken Hong Kong as his or her place of permanent residence before or after the establishment of the HKSAR.
5. A person under 21 years of age born in Hong Kong to a parent who is a permanent resident of the HKSAR in category (d) before or after the establishment of the HKSAR if at the time of his or her birth, or at any later time before he or she attains 21 years of age, one parent has the right of abode in Hong Kong.
6. A person other than those residents in categories (a) to (e), who, before the establishment of the HKSAR, had the right of abode in Hong Kong only.

Generally speaking, visitors must depart Hong Kong before the expiry of their limit of stay. If there is a special/urgent need to stay longer, visitors may apply online for extension of stay when their remaining limit of stay is within 14 days (not applicable to persons whose limit of stay will expire within 3 days), or make an extension of stay application by other means within 7 days before their limit of stay expires. Applications will be considered on its own merits. Please click here for details of submission of application.

An FDH is admitted into Hong Kong for full-time, live-in employment with a specific employer to perform domestic duties at the employer's residence specified in the Standard Employment Contract (the Contract) (ID407). It is provided in Clause 4(a) of the Contract that an FDH should only perform domestic duties for the employer specified in the Contract. The employer should not require or allow the FDH to carry out any non-domestic work. It is also stated in Clause 4(b) that the FDH should not take up any other employment, including part-time domestic duties, with any other person. The employer should not require or allow the FDH to carry out any work for any other person. Clause 4(c) of the Contract stipulates that Clauses 4(a) and (b) will form part of the conditions of stay to be imposed on the FDH by the Immigration Department upon the FDH' s admission to work in Hong Kong. A breach of Clauses 4(a) and (b) will render the helper and/or any aider and abettor liable to criminal prosecution.

If you intend to register your marriage in Hong Kong, you need to give the notice in advance to the Registrar. You can use the online service to make an appointment if you choose to give the notice to a marriage registry in person. The website is:

https://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/bdmreg/marriage/bookgivingmarriage.htm

You can also make an appointment for giving of notice through the 24-hour telephone booking system (telephone number: 3102 3883).

If you have successfully made an appointment for giving the notice at the marriage registry, either one of the marrying parties have to attend the selected marriage registry/office in person to give the notice as scheduled. You have to produce the Hong Kong identity cards / travel documents / identification documents of both marrying parties. The fee is HK$305.

If you need to change the personal particulars on your card, you should complete the application form (ROP73) and send it by post to the following address with copies of supporting documents. 

Registration of Persons (Support) Section
1st Floor, Administration Tower, Immigration Headquarters
61 Po Yap Road,
Tseung Kwan O, New Territories

You may also deposit your application form, duly completed and signed, together with copies of supporting documents, into the drop-in boxes provided by the Immigration Department.

Form ROP 73: Application for Amendment of Registered Particulars of Hong Kong Identity Card

Besides, you may submit the application form with copies of supporting documents by fax to (852) 2131 8876 or through the Internet or Immigration Mobile Application. 

Upon receipt of your application, the Registration of Persons Office will ask you to attend an interview to produce the originals of your supporting documents. If the application is approved, arrangements will be made to replace your identity card at a fee of HK$460. 

You may also make prior appointment for submitting application in person at any Registration of Persons Office (except Kwun Tong (Temporary) Office). Application will be assessed on case-by-case basis.

You may click here to make an online application for a statement of travel records. Application can also be made by post or in person.

Please click here for details on how to make an application, the supporting documents required, processing time, fee and payment methods.

Visitors or Hong Kong non-permanent residents who have renewed their travel documents can apply for a transfer of endorsement so that their current immigration status in Hong Kong is indicated on the new travel document. Until this has been done, it is advisable to carry both old and new travel documents for departure and arrival clearance at Hong Kong immigration control points.

Depending on the applicant’s current immigration status, application may be made to appropriate section below:

The address and opening hours of the respective offices are available here