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This webpage sets out the entry arrangement for persons who require a visa/entry permit to visit/transit the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). If a person wishes to visit or transit the HKSAR but does not enjoy the visa waiver concession; or if he/she wishes to stay beyond the entitled visa free period, he/she must obtain a visa/entry permit before coming. Information on the visa waiver concession and visa requirements of the HKSAR for respective countries can be found in the "Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" webpage.

This entry arrangement does not apply to Chinese residents of the Mainland and Taiwan (other than People's Republic of China passport holders and Chinese residents of Taiwan living overseas).

An application for a visa/entry permit to enter the HKSAR for a visit or transit may be favourably considered if:

1. the applicant's bona fides are not in doubt;
2. the applicant has adequate funds to cover the duration of his/her stay without working; and
3. where the application is for a transit visa/entry permit, he/she holds an onward ticket to the place of his/her destination unless the destination is the Mainland of China or Macao.

In general, unless a person has the right of abode or right to land in the HKSAR, he/she requires a visa/entry permit to stay in the HKSAR as a visitor longer than the allowed visa free period. While each application is determined on its individual merits, an applicant should meet normal immigration requirements (such as holding a valid travel document with adequate returnability to his/her country of residence or citizenship; be of clear criminal record and raise no security or criminal concerns to the HKSAR; have no likelihood of becoming a burden on the HKSAR, etc.) as well as the relevant specific eligibility criteria detailed above before he/she may be considered for the grant of a visa/entry permit. It should be noted that the eligibility criteria may be subject to change from time to time.

It normally takes four weeks to process a visit/transit visa/entry permit application upon receipt of all the required documents. The Immigration Department will not be able to start processing the application unless all the required documents and information have been received. Please refrain from making enquiries about the progress of the application unless it is absolutely necessary, as it may delay the processing of the application.

All applications are processed and determined by the Immigration Department. Approval of applications is entirely discretionary and is subject to changes in government policies. The Director of Immigration reserves absolute discretion to refuse any application even if the application meets all eligibility criteria.

Applicant should complete application form (ID 1003A) The sponsor should complete application form (ID 1003B). The application forms (ID 1003A and ID 1003B) can be obtained free of charge from the following offices:

1. Immigration Department Headquarters;
2. Immigration Branch Offices;
3. Overseas Chinese Diplomatic and Consular Missions; and
4. HKSAR Government offices outside Hong Kong.

The forms can also be downloaded here.

The nomination of a local sponsor will assist the Immigration Department in processing the application. A local sponsor can either be a company or an individual. If the local sponsor is an individual, he/she should be:

1. of the age of 18 or above;
2. a bona fide Hong Kong resident; and
3. acquainted with the applicant.

1. Forms and documents to be submitted by the applicant
   

   Forms/ Documents Required
   Application for Entry for Visit/Transit in Hong Kong (ID 1003A)
   The applicant's recent photograph (affixed on page 1 of the application form ID 1003A)
   Photocopy of the applicant's travel document containing personal particulars, date of issue, date of expiry and/or details of any re-entry visa held (if applicable)
   Photocopy of proof of the applicant's financial standing, e.g. bank statements, savings accounts passbooks, tax receipts, etc. and proof of employment (if any), e.g. company leave letter, salary slips, etc.
   Photocopy of proof of transportation arrangement, e.g. flight itinerary
   Photocopy of proof of the proposed leisure visit to Hong Kong, e.g. receipt of joining a package tour to Hong Kong, itinerary, etc. (for leisure visit only)
   Photocopy of proof of the proposed visit in the next destination after visiting Hong Kong, itinerary, etc. (for transit only)
   Photocopy of proof of the proposed business visit to Hong Kong, e.g. letter issued by the applicant's employing company to confirm his/her proposed business activities in Hong Kong, invitation letter issued by a local company, letter issued by a trade body to confirm the applicant's attendance at trade fairs and exhibitions, etc. (for business visit only)
   Photocopy of proof of relationship with the local sponsor (for family visit only)
   Photocopy of proof of the proposed visit to Hong Kong (for purposes of visit other than leisure, transit, business or family visit)

2. Forms and documents to be submitted by the sponsor
   
   i. For application in which the sponsor is a Company:
   
   

   Forms/ Documents Required
   Application for Entry for Visit/Transit (Sponsor) in Hong Kong (ID 1003B)
   Photocopy of Business Registration Certificate

   
   ii. For application in which the sponsor is an Individual:
   
   

   Forms/ Documents Required
   Application for Entry for Visit/Transit (Sponsor) in Hong Kong (ID 1003B)
   Photocopy of the sponsor's Hong Kong identity card
   Photocopy of the sponsor's travel document containing personal particulars, date of issue, date of expiry, and the latest arrival stamp/extension of stay label in the HKSAR and the latest issued “e-Visa” (if applicable) (for non-permanent resident of the HKSAR only)

   
   Notwithstanding that the documents and information required have been furnished, applicants and sponsors may still be required to submit further supporting documents and information in connection with the application(s) when necessary.
   
   Where a document is not in Chinese or English, it must be accompanied by a Chinese or English translation certified as a true translation by a sworn translator, court translator, authorised public translator, certified translator, expert translator or official translator.

It is an offence to make false statements or representations to an immigration officer. A person who knowingly and wilfully makes a statement or gives information which he/she knows to be false or does not believe to be true shall be guilty of an offence under the Laws of Hong Kong and any such visa/entry permit issued or permission to enter or remain in the HKSAR granted shall have no effect.

Online Submission

Click here for online submission of application and uploading of supporting documents.

Other Means of Submission

Completed application forms, i.e. ID 1003A and ID 1003B, and all supporting documents can also be submitted by the applicant or the local sponsor in either one of the following ways. All the forms must be duly completed and signed. For an applicant under the age of 16, it must be signed by the parent or legal guardian of the child.

1. By post directly or through the local sponsor in the HKSAR to:
   

   Receipt and Despatch Sub-Unit Ground Floor, Administration Tower, Immigration Headquarters, 61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories

   Underpaid mail items will not be accepted by the Immigration Department. For proper delivery of your mail items, please ensure your mail items bear sufficient postage with return address before posting. (Details)
2. Applicants residing in overseas countries or territories may submit their application forms together with the relevant supporting documents and their valid travel documents in person to the nearest Chinese diplomatic and consular mission in their place of domicile^[Note] (visit visa applications from Indian nationals should be submitted to the Immigration Department direct).
3. Holders of foreign passports who are living in the Mainland may submit the application forms together with all supporting documents to the Immigration Division of the Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing (Beijing Office) or the Immigration Division of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai (SHETO) (visit visa applications from Indian nationals should be submitted to the Immigration Department direct). Applicants are required to produce their valid travel documents to the Immigration Division of the Beijing Office or the Immigration Division of the SHETO so that a visa/entry permit could be issued if the application is approved. The addresses of the two Mainland offices are:
   

   The Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing No. 71, Di'anmen Xidajie, Xicheng District Beijing 100009 People's Republic of China The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai 21/F, The Headquarters Building, 168 Xizang Road (M), Huangpu District Shanghai 200001 People's Republic of China

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 forms and the photograph required should be sent immediately to the Hong Kong Immigration Department by air mail. A visa/entry permit will be issued only on receipt of original, properly completed visa application forms.

[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.

It normally takes four weeks to process a visit/transit visa/entry permit application upon receipt of all the required documents. The Immigration Department will not be able to start processing the application unless all the required documents and information have been received. Please refrain from making enquiries about the progress of the application unless it is absolutely necessary, as it may delay the processing of the application.

All applications are processed and determined by the Immigration Department. Approval of applications is entirely discretionary and is subject to changes in government policies. The Director of Immigration reserves absolute discretion to refuse any application even if the application meets all eligibility criteria.

If the application is submitted to the Immigration Department directly, upon approval of the applications, the notification of the application result issued by the Immigration Department will include a webpage link for payment. Payment of relevant fees could be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application by credit cards, Payment by Phone Service (PPS) or Faster Payment System (FPS). After payment, applicants could instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.

If the applicant or his/her authorised representative attend the relevant Immigration office in person to pay, the relevant fee could be settled by cash, EPS, Octopus, FPS or cheque. The cheque should be crossed, made payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”, properly dated and signed. After payment, the applicant or his/her authorised representative will be issued with an “e-Visa” printed on a sheet of A4 white paper on the spot. The applicant can then download or print the “e-Visa” through the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application.

If applicant could not pay the fee by using the above methods, the fees in the form of a cashier order or a bank draft should be sent together with the application. The cashier order or bank draft should be issued by a bank which has a connected bank in the HKSAR and made payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”. No cash should be sent with the application. Upon acknowledgement of the receipt of the relevant fee, the applicant will receive a notification, and he/she must download or print the “e-Visa” afterwards through the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application.

If the application is submitted to an overseas Chinese diplomatic and consular mission or the Immigration Division of the Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing (Beijing Office) or the Immigration Division of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai (SHETO), the visa/entry permit fee should be paid directly to the Chinese diplomatic and consular mission or the Immigration Division of the Beijing Office or the Immigration Division of the SHETO as appropriate.

Fee Table

Once the receipt of application has been acknowledged, applicants can enquire their application status here or through the 24-hour telephone enquiry system at (852) 3160 8663.

If the application is submitted to the Immigration Department directly, upon approval of the applications, the notification of the application result issued by the Immigration Department will include a webpage link for payment. Payment of relevant fees could be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application by credit cards, Payment by Phone Service (PPS) or Faster Payment System (FPS). After payment, applicants could instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.

If the applicant or his/her authorised representative attend the relevant Immigration office in person to pay, the relevant fee could be settled by cash, EPS, Octopus, FPS or cheque. The cheque should be crossed, made payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”, properly dated and signed. After payment, the applicant or his/her authorised representative will be issued with an “e-Visa” printed on a sheet of A4 white paper on the spot. The applicant can then download or print the “e-Visa” through the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application.

If applicant could not pay the fee by using the above methods, the fees in the form of a cashier order or a bank draft should be sent together with the application. The cashier order or bank draft should be issued by a bank which has a connected bank in the HKSAR and made payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region". No cash should be sent with the application. Upon acknowledgement of the receipt of the relevant fee, the applicant will receive a notification, and he/she must download or print the “e-Visa” afterwards through the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application.

If the application is submitted to an overseas Chinese diplomatic and consular mission or the Immigration Division of the Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing (Beijing Office) or the Immigration Division of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai (SHETO), the visa/entry permit fee should be paid directly to the Chinese diplomatic and consular mission or the Immigration Division of the Beijing Office or the Immigration Division of the SHETO as appropriate.

Fee Table

A visa/entry permit (in the form of “e-Visa”) will be issued upon successful application. Upon immigration arrival clearance in the HKSAR, an “e-Visa” holder should present his/her valid travel document and the “e-Visa” saved on a personal mobile device or printed on a sheet of A4 white paper, and scan the encrypted QR code on the “e-Visa” with the optical reader at an immigration counter.

For applications submitted to Chinese diplomatic and consular missions or the Immigration Division of the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing (Beijing Office) or the Immigration Division of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai (SHETO), visas/entry permits will be issued through the relevant Chinese diplomatic and consular missions or the Immigration Division of the Beijing Office or the Immigration Division of the SHETO as appropriate. The visa/entry permit label should be affixed onto a blank visa page of the applicant's travel document for presentation to an immigration officer upon arrival in the HKSAR.

A successful applicant entering the HKSAR as a visitor shall be subject to the following conditions of stay that:

1. he/she shall not take up any employment whether paid or unpaid;
2. he/she shall not establish or join in any business; and
3. he/she shall not become a student at a school, university or other educational institution.

For permissible activities for visitors, please see “here”.

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.

Given the lead time required for processing, applicants should apply online for extension of stay as soon as their remaining limit of stay is within 14 days (not applicable to persons whose limit of stay will expire within 3 days). Depending on actual circumstances, applications in person will normally be finalized on the same day.

Applicants must submit a completed and signed form ID 91. If the applicant is under the age of 16, the form should be signed by the applicant’s parent or legal guardian. The form can be obtained free of charge from the Immigration Department Headquarters and the Immigration Branch Offices. The form can also be downloaded here.

The applicant is required to present the following documents (original and copy) upon submission of the application:

1. Applicant’s travel document (and the previous travel document if it shows the current limit of stay); and
2. Evidence to support the need to prolong the stay in Hong Kong e.g. onward/return tickets; evidence showing adequate fund, etc.

Notwithstanding that the documents and information required have been furnished, applicants may still be required to submit further supporting documents and information in connection with the application(s) when necessary.

Where a document is not in Chinese or English, it must be accompanied by a Chinese or English translation certified as a true translation by a sworn translator, court translator, authorised public translator, certified translator, expert translator or official translator.

It is an offence to make false statements or representations to an immigration officer. A person who knowingly and willfully makes a statement or gives information which he/she knows to be false or does not believe to be true shall be guilty of an offence under the Laws of Hong Kong and any such visa/entry permit issued or permission to enter or remain in the HKSAR granted shall have no effect.

Applicants should be physically present in Hong Kong at the time of application. Applications may be submitted as follows:

1. Eligible applicants can submit the application for extension of stay online here
2. Applicants can submit the application for extension of stay in person or by an authorised representative at or by post/drop-in to the office below:

   Where to Apply

   Extension Section of the Immigration Department

   5th Floor, Administration Tower,

   Immigration Headquarters,

   61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O,

   New Territories

   

   
   

   
   Working Hours

   8:45 am-4:30 pm (Monday to Friday)

   9:00 am-11:30 am (Saturday)

   Closed on Sundays and public holidays

3. Applicants (except Mainland visitors) can visit any of the following Immigration Branch Offices for relevant formalities.
   
   

   Immigration – East Kowloon Office

   Level 2, Sceneway Plaza

   Sceneway Garden

   1-17 Sceneway Road

   Lam Tin, Kowloon

   (MTR Lam Tin Station – Exit B)

   

   

   Telephone: 2347 3492
   
   

   Immigration – West Kowloon Office

   Ground Floor, 28 Kimberley Street, 

   Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

   (MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station – Exit B2)

   

   

   Telephone: 2359 4426
   
   

   Immigration – Sha Tin Office

   3rd Floor, Sha Tin Government Offices

   1 Sheung Wo Che Road

   Sha Tin, New Territories

   (MTR Sha Tin Station – Exit B)

   

   

   Telephone: 2158 6419
   
   

   Immigration and Registration of Persons – Fo Tan Office

   Shops 405-407

   4/F, Jubilee Square

   2-18 Lok King Street

   Fo Tan, New Territories

   (MTR Fo Tan Station - Exit C)

   

   

   Telephone: 2651 8644
   
   

   Immigration – Tuen Mun Office

   1/F & 2/F, Tuen Mun Siu Lun Government Complex

   19 Siu Lun Street

   Tuen Mun, New Territories

   (Counter services are available on 2/F)

   (Light Rail Sam Shing Stop)

   

   

   Telephone: 2797 0872
   
   

   Immigration and Registration of Persons – Yuen Long Office

   1/F, Yuen Long Government Offices

   2 Kiu Lok Square

   Yuen Long, New Territories

   (MTR Long Ping Station – Exit E)

   (Light Rail Hong Lok Road Station)

   

   

   Telephone: 2475 4145
   
   

   Working Hours

   The working hours of the above Immigration Branch Offices are as follows:

   9:00 am-12:45 pm and 2:00 pm-4:30 pm (Monday to Friday)

   9:00 am-12:30 pm (Saturday)

   Closed on Sundays and public holidays

Given the lead time required for processing, applicants should apply online for extension of stay as soon as their remaining limit of stay is within 14 days (not applicable to persons whose limit of stay will expire within 3 days). Depending on actual circumstances, applications in person will normally be finalized on the same day.

Upon approval of the applications, the notification of the application result issued by the Immigration Department will include a webpage link for payment. Payment of relevant fees could be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application by credit cards, Payment by Phone Service (PPS) or Faster Payment System (FPS). After payment, applicants could instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.

If the applicant or his/her authorised representative attend the relevant Immigration office in person to pay, the relevant fee could be settled by cash, EPS, Octopus, FPS or cheque. The cheque should be crossed, made payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”, properly dated and signed. After payment, the applicant or his/her authorised representative will be issued with an “e-Visa” printed on a sheet of A4 white paper on the spot. The applicant can then download or print the “e-Visa” through the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application.

The applicant must be physically present in Hong Kong at the time of payment and collection of “e-Visa”.

Fee table

Permission given to a person to land in Hong Kong as a visitor shall be subject to the following conditions of stay:

1. he shall not take any employment, whether paid or unpaid;
2. he shall not establish or join in any business; and
3. he shall not become a student at a school, university or other educational institution.

For permissible activities for visitors, please see "here".

Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and to imprisonment for 2 years.

Given the lead time required for processing, applicants should apply online as soon as their remaining limit of stay is within 14 days (not applicable to persons whose limit of stay will expire within 3 days). Depending on actual circumstances, applications in person will normally be finalized on the same day.

Upon approval of the applications, the notification of the application result issued by the Immigration Department will include a webpage link for payment. Payment of relevant fees could be made through the said webpage link or the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application by credit cards, Payment by Phone Service (PPS) or Faster Payment System (FPS). After payment, applicants could instantly download or print the “e-Visa” by themselves.

If the applicant or his/her authorised representative attend the relevant Immigration office in person to pay, the relevant fee could be settled by cash, EPS, Octopus, FPS or cheque. The cheque should be crossed, made payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”, properly dated and signed. After payment, the applicant or his/her authorised representative will be issued with an “e-Visa” printed on a sheet of A4 white paper on the spot. The applicant can then download or print the “e-Visa” through the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile Application.

The applicant must be physically present in Hong Kong at the time of payment and collection of “e-Visa”.

Fee table