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Hong Kong

Hong Kong visa

Asia · Eastern Asia

In Hong Kong, visas and entry permits fall under the Immigration Department of the special administrative region. The pages consulted on 17 September 2026 state that a visa or entry permit is required in order to work, study, establish or join a business, or settle. The application may be filed online, by post, through a local sponsor, or with the nearest Chinese diplomatic or consular mission. The authorization is issued in the form of an "e-Visa".

Updated on 7 October 2026 · Official sources consulted on 17 September 2026

At a glance

Authority
Immigration Department, Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Submission channel
Online electronic services, by post directly or through a local sponsor, or the nearest Chinese diplomatic or consular mission, according to the pages consulted
Electronic visa
Yes: the portal states that the applicant receives an "e-Visa" to download or print themselves
Portal language
English, traditional Chinese and simplified Chinese (English version consulted)

Do you need a visa?

Australia passport: no visa needed for up to 90 days for a short tourist stay.

For a short tourist stay with an ordinary passport. To work, study or stay longer, the rules are different: check your situation.

Good to know

Visa-free entry for a visit of 90 days or less (ImmD, revision of September 22, 2026).

Official source: Immigration Department HKSAR — Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the HKSAR (new tab) Verified on 24 September 2026

All destinations for this nationality

VisaGuideline helps you prepare your application. The decision belongs to the country’s authority: check the official page before paying or applying.

Hong Kong visa: who needs one?

Based on the verified entry rules, for a short tourist stay with an ordinary passport.

Visa exemption 147

List of nationalities

Electronic travel authorization 1

List of nationalities

Visa required 46

List of nationalities

A nationality missing from this list does not establish a visa exemption. Consult the official authority.

Documented visa types

"Visit / Transit" — visit and transit visa or entry permit
Regime named by the portal for visits and transits. The conditions depend on the travel document held and on nationality; they are not reproduced here. Official page (new tab)
"Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)"
Admission scheme named by the "Visas / Entry Permits" page; its conditions are not stated on the pages consulted. Official page (new tab)
"General Employment Policy (GEP)"
Employment regime named by the "Visas / Entry Permits" page; its conditions are not stated on the pages consulted. Official page (new tab)
"Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)"
Admission scheme named by the "Visas / Entry Permits" page; its conditions are not stated on the pages consulted. Official page (new tab)
"Students" — stay for study purposes
Category named by the "Visas / Entry Permits" page; its conditions are not stated on the pages consulted. Official page (new tab)
"Dependants" — dependent persons
Category named by the "Visas / Entry Permits" page; its conditions are not stated on the pages consulted. Official page (new tab)

Where and how to apply

The page consulted on 17 September 2026 states that a visa or entry permit is needed in order to work, study, establish or join a business, or settle in Hong Kong. It states that the application may be sent to the Immigration Department directly by post or through a local sponsor, and that the forms and documents may be sent by fax in the first instance.

The same page states that an application may also be made to the nearest Chinese diplomatic or consular mission. For residents of Taiwan, it refers to filing through an authorized airline.

The page devoted to electronic services states that these services have been extended, since November 29, 2022, to all types of visa application, including visas and entry permits for visit, employment, investment, training, residence and study, and that the application can be filed online without going to an immigration office.

Steps in the procedure

  1. Identify the regime or scheme matching the purpose of the stay among those listed by the portal.
  2. Complete the corresponding application form.
  3. File the application online through the electronic services, or by post directly or through a local sponsor, or with the nearest Chinese diplomatic or consular mission.
  4. Send in the original duly completed form: the page states that a visa or entry permit is issued only on receipt of that original.
  5. After approval, pay the issuance fee online or in person at an immigration office.
  6. Download or print the "e-Visa" yourself, on a blank A4 sheet according to the page.
  7. On arrival, present the valid travel document and the "e-Visa", stored on a mobile device or printed, and have the encrypted QR code scanned.

Documents mentioned by the authority

The exact list depends on the visa type and on the situation; only the official page is authoritative.

Stated fees and processing times

According to the portal consulted on 17 September 2026, filing the application through the electronic services is presented as a free service. Applications under the "Specified Schemes" give rise to an application fee and an issuance fee; the page states that application fees are not refundable under any circumstances, whatever the outcome.

Issuance fees may be paid online by bank card, PPS, FPS or a mainland China electronic wallet, or in person at an immigration office. No processing time is stated on the pages consulted: "Not stated on the portal consulted".

After the decision

According to the page devoted to the "e-Visa", an applicant for a visa or entry permit, an extension of stay or a change of status receives an "e-Visa", which they download or print themselves from a web link or from the department's mobile application.

On arrival, the holder presents their valid travel document and the "e-Visa", on a personal mobile device or printed on a blank A4 sheet, and has the encrypted QR code scanned.

The decision rests with the Immigration Department.

Prepare your application

Frequently asked questions

Is a visa required to travel to Hong Kong?

The portal states that a visa or entry permit is required in order to work, study, establish or join a business, or settle.

Where is the application filed?

Online through the electronic services, by post directly or through a local sponsor, or with the nearest Chinese diplomatic or consular mission, according to the pages consulted on 17 September 2026.

Is there an electronic visa?

Yes. The portal states that the authorization is issued in the form of an "e-Visa", downloaded or printed by the applicant, then presented on arrival with the travel document so that the encrypted QR code can be scanned.

Is filing online chargeable?

According to the page consulted on 17 September 2026, filing through the electronic services is presented as a free service; applications under the "Specified Schemes" give rise to application and issuance fees, which are not refundable.

What are the fee amounts?

Not stated on the portal consulted.

What processing times does the authority announce?

Not stated on the portal consulted.

Points to check with the authority

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