Hong Kong Tourist Visa for Indians - Definitive Guide

There are certain formalities that are to be followed when you are travelling to another country as a tourist. A tourist visa for Hong Kong is to the travellers who wish to experience leisure and tourism in the country. The holder is permitted to tour the country for sightseeing, visiting museums and exhibitions, attending concerts, and other such leisure activities. The validity of the permit depends on the requirement and the method through which the visa was obtained. Stay permitted with pre-arrival registration (PAR) is for 14 days and can be changed or extended depending on the Immigration Officer.

Application to get a tourist visa for Hong Kong is to be made with pre-arrival registration (PAR). It is a mandatory procedure to be followed by Indian applicants. However, it is important that you match the eligibility criteria to get this permit. The process for application with PAR is as follows:

1. Visit the official website of the Hong Kong Immigration to register for the permit.
2. Fill out the application form with correct details.
3. The system will provide the result for the registration instantly.
4. A Notification Slip will be generated which is to be printed out on an A4-size paper.
5. Travel to Hong Kong with your passport, Notification Slip and other requirements if requested.
6. You will then be cleared by the Immigration Officer to enter the country.

At the time of providing details for PAR, you need to make sure that the information provided is correct and matches with the details on the passport. If you fail to do so, there are chances that PAR will fail as well. Therefore, it is safer if you consider professional assistance.

If PAR doesn’t work, you can apply offline to the Hong Kong Immigration Department directly. This process is to be followed upon failing of the PAR system as PAR is compulsory for applications for Hong Kong tourist visa from India. The offline process is given as follows:

1. Download the Hong Kong visa application form.
2. Print the application form, fill it out and sign the document.
3. Collect all the required documents.
4. Attach the hard copies of all the required documents and your photograph to the application form.
5. Air mail the hard copies of the documents to the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
6. Along with the documents, also mail an International Bank Draft in favor of ‘The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’ for HK$190.
7. After the processing, the visa label will be air mailed back to you which is to be pasted on a blank page in your passport.

The documents can also be faxed directly to the Immigration Department to save time, however, you will still have to air mail the original application form and the photograph. When you are filling out the offline application form, you need to ensure that the information is correct and the details match the documentary proof that is provided. If there are any kind of flaws related to the information, there are chances that you may have to face visa rejection which can affect your future applications to get a permit for Hong Kong or any other country. You can always consider professional assistance for the same.

There are certain criteria that need to be fulfilled at the time of applying for a Hong Kong tourist visa from India. A set of parameters that make you eligible for this permit are given as follows:

• You must have proof of confirmed visit

• Pre-bookings of the round trip must be done.
• You must visit for tourism only and not searching for or taking up any kind of employment.
• You must meet the health requirements

• You must be healthy enough to travel to Hong Kong.
• You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide relevant documentary proof.
• You must be within the age limit to be able to apply for a work permit.
• You must meet the character requirements

• You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind working in Hong Kong.
• You need to provide a relevant documentary proof for the same as well (if asked) in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
• You must have sufficient funds

• You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Hong Kong.
• Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

The requirements to issue a tourist visa for Hong Kong will differ depending on the process that you follow. The differentiated Hong Kong tourist visa requirements are listed as follows:

• With PAR

• Valid passport
• Valid Notification Slip
• Recent photographs
• Other documents (if needed)
• Without PAR
• Photocopy of passport.
• Completely filled and signed application form.
• Recent photograph.
• Flight Itinerary.
• Proof of purpose of visit - hotel reservation, invitation letter, travel itinerary, etc.
• International Bank Draft in favor of ‘The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’.
  
  

• Two copies must be provided
• Photo size: 40mm x 50 mm.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• The face must cover about 70-80% of the frame.
• Head should well-centred.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white.
• Neutral expressions.
• Both the ears must be visible.
• The teeth should not be shown in the photograph.
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

For PAR, the time required can be measured in mere minutes, about 10 minutes to 30 minutes maximum. The result for the same will be shown immediately and you can print the Notification Slip. The offline procedure takes about 4 weeks of processing and may even take longer based on certain factors.

The fee for the issuance of a tourist visa for Hong Kong depends on the procedure that you follow. With PAR, you will have to pay the fee after arrival to the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) as PAR is free of cost. The Hong Kong tourist visa Fees for the offline permit, that is acquired without PAR is to be paid before air mailing the documents and the form to the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

At the time of submission of the documents and after the submission, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind. Some of the pointers are as follows:

• The documents must be in a good condition while airmailing them to the Immigration Department.
• If there are any kind of updates in the form, the Immigration must be informed accordingly.
• Once you are done with PAR, it is valid for 6 months or as valid as your passport if the validity of the passport is less than 6 months.
• Further process after PAR is done once you travel to HKSAR.
• You can withdraw your application if there is a change of plans in the case of an offline procedure, however, the fee is not refundable.

The status of the offline visa label can be checked online on the Hong Kong Immigration website. In the case of PAR, you will have the Notification Slip as soon as you are registered. This Notification Slip is useful for multiple entries and can be reprinted if lost.

After the completion of PAR, or when you have the Hong Kong tourist visa label, there are certain things that you need to remember when you are travelling to the country. Some of the pointers are given as follows:

• Before you travel
• Take a print out of the Notification Slip of PAR.
• Make a note of the visa label expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• You should travel to Hong Kong within the validity of your visa label.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents before leaving the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel Insurance from a certified company.
• At the Border

• Once you enter the country, make sure to obtain a Landing Slip.
• Get your documents checked and your passport verified by the Immigration Officer.
• Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
• Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Hong Kong

• Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
• The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
• Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for a visa extension at least 7 days prior to expiration of the permit.
• Keep the Landing Slip safe with you as it is an important document that allows you to leave the country without any complications.