Hong Kong Visas

Sample (click to enlarge)

The TCG section on Chinese visa explains the general principles of what entry visas are. Although Hong Kong and Macau are parts of the People's Republic of China (PRC), as Special Administrative Regions (SAR), each has its own entry regulations. This also means that you might need a visa to the HKSAR from the Chinese mainland and one to enter the Chinese mainland from Hong Kong – so if you are on the mainland and want to visit Hong Kong and return, you must have a valid entry Chinese visa or obtain a new one in Hong Kong (and although it is normally granted, it is not a 100% certainty).

Always remember that each country (and Chinese SARs) has the right to refuse entry to any person, whatever the regulations permit, and that even when you have a visa you can be denied entry at the border. Also, the information provided here is for people travelling on standard passports, not special ones like diplomatic or service passports, nor special or restricted passports.

Generally, Hong Kong is very open to foreigners who simply want to visit as a tourist to conduct business activities for an overseas business such as visiting clients and prospects, providing training, or attending trade fairs. Overall, the rules are essentially the same as under the British administration that preceded the SARs return to Chinese control.

There are special rules applying to residents of the Chinese mainland, those living in Taiwan, for Macauans visiting HK. These are described at the end of this article.

There is full information on the HK Immigration Department webpage In particular, you can get all the forms and the guidelines from If you still need clarification on any point and you should contact a Chinese consulate, or in Hong Kong, contact the HK Immigration Department, or on the Mainland, from the Beijing Office of the Government of the HK SAR, whose official webpage is www.bjo.gov.hk/en/home/index.html.

Basic criteria for all foreign visitors
The following are the official minimum requirements for foreign visitors to HK.
• have a minimum validity on your passport of 1 month beyond the intended stay (or the duration of the visa may be restricted so that there will be one month after the visa expiry)
• properly complete the immigration card on arrival
• have a visa if your nationality is required to have one
• have onward or return travel arrangements
• have sufficient funds for your stay without working (based on Immigration's definition, not yours)
• not have a serious criminal record or be likely to be involved in crime, nor be considered a security risk

Most travellers, especially from western countries, are not checked for compliance with the last three but all travellers should allow for the possibility that immigration might choose to check you. You should also check with your airline's regulations as they may not allow you to fly if you do not meet stated entry requirements.