Hong Kong Immigration Department

Visa Services for Foreigners and Passport Services for HK Local Residents

Hong Kong Immigration Department provides services to foreigners and Hong Kong (HK) local residents (and/or citizens). To foreigners, Hong Kong Immigration Service has the responsibilities to exercise immigration control and enforce laws.

Hong Kong Visas

The Hong Kong Immigration Department has a role to approve or reject Hong Kong visa applications that are submitted by foreigners (i.e. non Hong Kong permanent residents).

The types of HK visas for foreigners include:

• Visitor visa for tourists who are to enter Hong Kong but not for employment purpose
  
  Work visa for professionals who have job offers from Hong Kong companies
  
  Training visa for professionals who are sent by their companies (i.e. employers) to attend training courses or sessions in Hong Kong
  
  Short term work visa for business persons to enter Hong Kong to take employment but for a relatively short period of time
  
  Investment work visa for entrepreneurs or business owners who are to undergo company incorporation in Hong Kong
  
  Dependant visa for spouse and/or children (of the person who is eligible to work in HK or has permanent residence in HK) to accompany the person and stay in Hong Kong
  
  Change of visa sponsorship for professionals who are working in Hong Kong, but are changing jobs (i.e. employers)
  
  Visa extension of stay for professionals whose work/employment visas are about to expire, and need to extend their visas to enable continuing working in Hong Kong

Local Hong Kong Residents

The services that are provided by Hong Kong Immigration Services to Hong Kong local residents include:

• Issuing of Hong Kong (HKSAR) passports
  
  Issuing Hong Kong identity cards (HKID)
  
  Handling of nationality matters
  
  Registration of births, deaths and marriages
  
  Registering or denouncing of Chinese citizenship
  
  Naturalization of Hong Kong permanent residents who wish to become Chinese citizens (i.e. Right of Abode)

Physical Address and Opening Hours

An individual may visit the Hong Kong Immigration Department office In person at the information and Liaison Section. The physical address is:

2nd Floor Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

The working/opening hours are:

Monday – Friday: 8:45 am - 4:30 pm

Saturday: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

Closed on all Sundays and public holidays

When a person needs to deliver a mail to the Hong Kong Immigration Department, he/she must ensure the mail items bear sufficient postage with return address before posting. Underpaid mail items will not be accepted by the Immigration Department of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Visa Free Countries

What are the Visa Free Countries to Hong Kong? or Which Countries Do Not Need Visa for Hong Kong?

Do you need a visa to visit Hong Kong? Find out here. (Click to view)

No Visa or No Entry Permit Required to Visit Hong Kong

When will you not need a visa to enter Hong Kong?

You do not need a visa or entry permit when you enter Hong Kong as a visitor, if you are the holder of one of the following documents.

• Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport (i.e. HKSAR / Hong Kong Passport)
  
  British National Overseas Passport (BNO)
  
  Hong Kong Certificate of Identity
  
  Hong Kong Re-entry permit (for visitor’s entry from Mainland China and the Macao Special Administrative Region only)
  
  Hong Kong Seaman's Identity Book
  
  Hong Kong Document of Identity for Visa Purposes provided that the document is valid or the holder's limit of stay in Hong Kong is currently still valid (i.e. has not expired)

You may not need to have a visa or entry permit to enter HK as a visitor, if you have a travel document with one of the following endorsements:

• Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card
  
  Holder's eligibility for Hong Kong permanent identity card verified.
  
  The holder of this travel document has the right to land in Hong Kong. (Section 2AAA, Immigration Ordinance, Cap. 115, Laws of Hong Kong)

How Many Days of Stay?

How many days can a visitor stay without a HK Visa?

Usually visitors from the Visa-free nations/countries are permitted with 7 days, 14 days, 30 days, 90 days, or 180 days of stay in Hong Kong.

It depends on the issue country of your passport (or travel document). Find out if you are Hong Kong visa-free. (Click to view)