What You Need to Know about Hong Kong Visas

Hong Kong visas are your golden passes to the city of heavenly shopping and breathtaking sights. Before any foreigner is allowed to enter the charm of the orient, a passport and a visa must be presented. Though the country is a special administrative region belonging to China, it still has its own passport and visa.

Types Available

Common Hong Kong visas are single and multiple-entry tourist or business visas. These are valid for three months and extensions are granted.

Tourist visas are issued to people who intend to visit the country for sightseeing. Business visit visas are for individuals who want to enter the country to do business or participate in any technological, scientific, or cultural exchange.

Another kind of visa is for students. The “F-1” visa is granted to those who are going to complete an academic program such as a degree course or short-term study. Usually, you must be accepted by the school first and show an invitation or confirmation letter from the institution.

Requirements

Some of the requirements for these visas vary as they are for different purposes; however, most require the basic documents for processing. These include the application form for the specific kind of visa you are applying for, a passport that has at least three months validity, other valid documents like accommodation, bookings or return tickets, sufficient money for expenses during your stay, and two passport-size pictures. You’ll also need a letter of invitation from an official Hong Kong association or from a ministry for the business visa.

Additional Information

If you are a frequent traveler who has passed through HK International Airport at least three times in the last 12 months, you can apply for a frequent visitor card or FVC. These passes can be used for entering through the airport. In addition, a visa to China may also be obtained in Hong Kong.