18 Jul 2014
The Immigration Department announced today (July 18) that nationals of the Central African Republic will require a visa to enter Hong Kong for whatever purposes (including those who remain on the airside in transit) from July 21.
At present, nationals of the Central African Republic may visit Hong Kong visa-free for a stay up to 14 days.
Hong Kong has all along adopted a liberal visa policy, under which nationals of about 170 countries and territories may visit Hong Kong visa-free for periods ranging from seven to 180 days. With a view to ensuring that a proper balance is maintained between facilitation of genuine visitors and the need to safeguard the integrity of immigration control, the visa policy is subject to constant review and changes will be introduced if circumstances so warrant, an Immigration Department spokesman said.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders currently do not require a visa to visit the Central African Republic. The spokesman reminded passport holders to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Central Africa in Beijing on the latest visa requirement before visiting the country.