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| 1. |
This information leaflet sets out the application procedure for those requiring a visa to visit the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Information on the visa requirements for the HKSAR can be found in the information leaflet "Do you need a visa for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China?" (Form ID290) or the HKSAR Immigration Department's website at http://www.immd.gov.hk/. |
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Modes of Application |
| 2. |
Visa applications for visits, which include both transit and leisure/social/business visits, to the HKSAR can be submitted to the Chinese diplomatic and consular mission (CDCM) closest to a person's place of domicile. Alternatively, they can be forwarded to the HKSAR Immigration Department by either of the following methods:
- Direct postal application; or
- Submission through a sponsor in the HKSAR
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| 3. |
In normal circumstances, processing of an application for a visit visa can be finalised within four weeks after the receipt of all necessary documents.
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Submissions to CDCMs |
| 4. |
For applications submitted to CDCMs, enquiries should be made at the relevant CDCM concerning the supporting documents/information required. Visa fees (as designated by the CDCM) and other charges (if any) will be collected by the CDCM concerned, which will also issue a visa if the application is successful.
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Direct postal applications |
| 5. |
Direct postal applications can be mailed to the HKSAR Immigration Department, Employment and Visit Visas Section, together with the following information/documents:
- Visa application form (ID(E)936), duly completed in BLOCK LETTERS and properly signed. The form is obtainable from the HKSAR Immigration Department free of charge. It can also be downloaded from the HKSAR Immigration Department's homepage: http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/id(e)936.htm; and
- A photocopy of the applicant's travel document, showing his/her personal particulars, nationality (if any), residential status in his/her country of residence (if he/she is not a national of the country), re-entry visa to the country of residence (if applicable), and date of issue and expiry of the travel document; and
- Two identical photographs measuring not larger than 55 mm x 45 mm and not smaller than 50 mm x 40 mm, taken full face and without a hat; and
- Evidence of the applicant's employment (if any), e.g. employment certificate, company leave letter, etc. and financial standing, e.g. bank statement, saving accounts passbooks, tax receipts, etc.; and
- Evidence of the purpose of the proposed visit to the HKSAR, e.g. invitation letter, letter issued by a trade body to confirm the applicant's attendance at trade fairs and exhibitions, proof of relationship with the local sponsor/reference if a social visit is intended, etc.; and
- Flight itinerary (if any); and
- Application fees in Hong Kong currency HK$160, in the form of a cashier order or bank draft, should be sent with the application. The cashier order or bank draft should be issued by a bank which has a connected bank in the HKSAR and made payable to 'The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region'. No cash should be sent with the application.
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| 6. |
To shorten processing time, application forms and supporting documents can be sent by fax to (852) 2824 1133 in the first instance. However, the original copy of the duly completed application form and the photographs required should be sent immediately to the HKSAR Immigration Department by air mail. A visa will be issued only on receipt of an original, properly completed visa application form.
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Submission through a Sponsor in the HKSAR |
| 7. |
For applications submitted through a sponsor in the HKSAR, in addition to the documents mentioned in paragraph 5 above, a copy of the sponsor's Hong Kong identity card, or in the case of a company acting as the sponsor, a copy of the company's Business Registration Certificate, should also be furnished. Payment of fees can be made either in cash or by cheque by the sponsor in the HKSAR when collecting the visa label.
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Additional Information |
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Notwithstanding that the applicant may have already furnished the documents and information stipulated in paragraph 5 above, he/she may still be required to submit further supporting documents and information in connection with his/her application if necessary.
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| 9. |
For a direct postal application, a visa label will be mailed to the applicant directly by registered air mail if his/her application is successful. For an application submitted through a sponsor in the HKSAR, the visa label will be issued to the applicant through his/her sponsor.
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| 10. |
After receiving the visa label issued by the HKSAR Immigration Department and before coming to the HKSAR, the visa applicant should peel off the self-adhesive visa label from the backing sheet and stick it onto a blank visa page of his/her travel document. The applicant's travel document should be valid and should indicate the same nationality as declared in his/her visa application. Failure to comply with this requirement may render the visa applicant ineligible for permission to land in the HKSAR.
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Enquiries |
| 11. |
Enquiries concerning the application procedure can be made to the HKSAR Immigration Department by telephone [(852) 2824 6111], by fax [(852) 2877 7711] or through e-mail [enquiry@immd.gov.hk]. Enquiries can also be made to the nearest CDCM.
[The contents of this information leaflet are valid at the time of printing. There may be subsequent changes. Please access the HKSAR Immigration Department's homepage for up-to-date information.]
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FAQs - Supplement to the Information Leaflet on Visit Visa Applications |
| Q1. |
How do I obtain information about visit visa requirements for the HKSAR?
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| A1. |
The HKSAR operates a liberal visa policy in that nationals of more than 170 countries and territories do not need visas to visit the HKSAR for periods of stay from 7 days to 6 months. Information on visit visa/entry permit requirements for the HKSAR, including business visits, social visits and transit, can be obtained from the Internet at http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm.
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| Q2. |
If I require a visit visa to come to the HKSAR, how do I go about making an application?
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| A2. |
There are three ways to apply for a visit visa/entry permit to the HKSAR. You may apply for the appropriate visa or entry permit from the nearest Chinese diplomatic and consular mission (CDCM). Alternatively, you may also submit your visa or entry permit application to the HKSAR Immigration Department either directly by post, or through a local sponsor. The address is : HKSAR Immigration Department, Employment and Visit Visas Section.
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| Q3. |
Which of the three application channels is preferable?
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| A3. |
It depends on how you intend to provide supporting documents and information when making the application. As a general rule, if you are able to provide sufficient information with the application, the direct visa application method is preferable because authorisation of your visa will be sent to you direct once it has been approved. On the other hand, if you reside near to a CDCM or would prefer a sponsor to communicate with you, you may find it more appropriate to apply to the CDCM or the HKSAR Immigration Department through a sponsor in the HKSAR. In the latter cases, a decision on your application will be conveyed to you by the CDCM or through the sponsor, respectively.
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| Q4. |
Where can I get the application forms and what kinds of supporting documents are required?
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| A4. |
The application form (ID(E)936) is obtainable from the HKSAR Immigration Department or any CDCM. It can also be downloaded from the Internet at http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/id(e)936.htm. The supporting documents to be submitted with the application form, which is to be completed in BLOCK LETTERS, are : two recent photographs, a copy of your travel document showing your personal particulars and the date of its expiry, proof of residence (where applicable), proof of your financial standing and employment, invitation letter, flight itinerary, and a copy of the Hong Kong Identity Card of your local sponsor/referee, or a copy of a valid Business Registration Certificate if a local company acts as your sponsor/referee, etc.
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| Q5. |
What are the visa charges and the method of payment?
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| A5. |
For visa applications lodged either directly or through a sponsor to the HKSAR Immigration Department, the visa fee per application is Hong Kong currency HK$160. It can be paid in the form of a bank draft or a cashier order in Hong Kong currency made payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region". The cashier order or bank draft should be issued by a bank which has a connected bank in the HKSAR. No cash should be sent. If you have a local sponsor/referee, payment can be made either in cash or cheque by your sponsor/referee when collecting the visa. You should pay the visa fee and any other charges as stipulated by the CDCM if you make your application there.
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| Q6. |
If my application is successful and I receive the visa label, what should I do with it?
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| A6. |
You must travel to the HKSAR before the expiry date on the visa label, which is usually three months from the date of issue. Before coming to the HKSAR, please peel off the self-adhesive visa label from the backing sheet and stick it onto a blank visa page in your travel document. Please note that your travel document should be valid and should indicate the same nationality as stated in your visa application. Failure to comply with this requirement may render you ineligible for permission to land in the HKSAR.
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| Q7. |
If I have further questions, what should I do?
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| A7. |
If you have any enquiries or need more information about the application procedure, please contact the HKSAR Immigration Department on telephone number (852) 2824 6111, by fax at (852) 2877 7711, or through e-mail at enquiry@immd.gov.hk, or get in touch with the CDCM nearest to your place of residence.
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HKTDC - We Create Opportunity |
The Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the statutory organisation promoting Hong Kong's external trade in goods and services. Our mission is to grow Hong Kong's business in international trade and increase the critical mass of international firms using Hong Kong's trade platform.
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We create opportunities for Hong Kong-based businesses and their international partners, most of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We facilitate them through marketing activities, business matching, market intelligence and SME development programmes. Many of our services are free.
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HKTDC provides three marketplaces:
- A physical marketplace, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where we organise many of Asia's leading trade fairs
- A cyber marketplace, through our Internet portal, tdctrade.com
- An ideas marketplace, where SMEs from around the world network and energise each other at our international conferences
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We offer practical services and business promotion activities, including:
- Business Matching to connect Hong Kong firms with international partners and international firms with Hong Kong partners
- International trade fairs in Hong Kong that attract growing numbers of buyers including those from the Chinese mainland and have many international pavilions
- Sourcing guides, mailed direct to Hong Kong's customers around the world and available online at hkenterprise.com
- Market intelligence, especially for China, on tdctrade.com
- Networking opportunities among entrepreneurs from around the world including those who belong to Hong Kong Business Associations
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We promote a positive image of Hong Kong as a platform and partner for international businesses. HKTDC supports bilateral committees with Hong Kong's major economic partners and a global network of Hong Kong Business Associations. We also produce Hong Kong Trader, an e-newsletter highlighting Hong Kong business opportunities to more than 300,000 recipients around the world each month.
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HKTDC - Fast Facts
- Established by ordinance in 1966
- More than 40 offices around the world
- Organises more than 300 events around the world annually
- Handles some five million trade enquiries in a year
- Has a database of 100,000 Hong Kong manufacturers, suppliers, traders, buyers and service providers; 140,000 mainland contacts and 380,000 from overseas.
- Organises 19 international trade shows at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre each year. In 2002/03, these attracted more than 14,000 exhibitors and 320,000 buyers. Nearly half of the latter were from overseas and the mainland
- Publishes 15 Hong Kong sourcing catalogues - distributed globally - plus hkenterprise.com, a one-window marketplace on tdctrade.com
- Produces more than 100 market and research reports annually
- Receives or assists about 500 inward trade missions each year
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| For enquiries, please contact: |
Head Office:
38th Floor, Office Tower, Convention Plaza,
1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2584 4333
Fax: (852) 2824 0249
Email: hktdc@tdc.org.hk
Web Site: http://www.tdctrade.com
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| Vision, Mission and Values Statement and Performance Pledge |
The Immigration Department of the Government of the HKSAR, abided by its Vision, Mission and Values (VMV) Statement, is committed to providing efficient and courteous service to members of the public while maintaining effective immigration control. The HKSAR Immigration Department sets out performance pledges for a wide range of services. For details of the VMV Statement and updates on the performance pledges, you may visit the HKSAR Immigration Department's website on the Internet at http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/pledge.htm.
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| A Liberal and Open Immigration Policy |
The HKSAR has all along adopted a liberal and open immigration policy to facilitate visitors to come for business, social or pleasure visits. Genuine businesspeople and entrepreneurs are welcome to establish a presence in the HKSAR, bringing with them capital and expertise. Foreigners may work or invest in the HKSAR if they possess special skill, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in the HKSAR and are employed with a remuneration broadly commensurate with the local market level, or they can make substantial contribution to the economy of the HKSAR. The HKSAR Immigration Department applies the policy in a flexible manner. Qualified professionals, technical staff, administrators and managerial personnel are also admitted with the minimum formalities.
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| To enhance the HKSAR's attractiveness and competitiveness as an Asia world city and a regional services hub, especially against a backdrop of intense global competition for people with talent, skills and capital, the scope of the employment policy was expanded to allow nationals/residents of more countries/territories to take up employment in the HKSAR since 15 July 2003. A new employment scheme known as the 'Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals' has been implemented. |
The HKSAR welcomes foreign investment both in the form of capital and innovation. Investors with innovative business ideas that bring economic benefits to the HKSAR can apply for an investment visa under the general employment policy to work in the HKSAR.
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A Capital Investment Entrant Scheme was also launched since 27 October 2003. This new investment scheme is to facilitate the entry for residence by capital investment entrants, i.e. persons who make capital investment in the HKSAR but would not be engaged in the running of any business in the HKSAR. The entrant is allowed to make his choice of investments amongst permissible assets without the need to establish or join in a business.
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| Please feel free to visit the website of the HKSAR Immigration Department at http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/home.htm for more information about the respective Schemes. Alternatively, you may enquire to the HKSAR Immigration Department's e-mail address "enquiry@immd.gov.hk" for further advice. |
