Practical travel information on Visas in Hong Kong - Lonely Planet Travel Information

Visas

The vast majority of travellers, including citizens of Australia, Canada, the EU, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and the USA, are allowed to enter the Hong Kong SAR without a visa and stay for 90 days. Holders of British passports can stay up to 180 days without a visa, but British Dependent Territories and British Overseas citizens not holding a visa are only allowed to remain 90 days. Holders of many African (including South African), South American and Middle Eastern passports do not require visas for a visit of 30 days or less.

If you do require a visa, you must apply beforehand at the nearest Chinese consulate or embassy; for addresses and contact information consult the website www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/embassy.htm.

If you plan on visiting mainland China, you must have a visa, although American citizens must apply for their visas prior to crossing the border.

Visitors may have to prove they have adequate funds for their stay (a credit card should do the trick) and that they hold an onward or return ticket. Ordinary visas cost $160 (or the equivalent in local currency), while transit visas are $84.

Visitors are not permitted to take up employment, establish any sort of business or enrol as students while visiting on a tourist visa. If you want to work or study, you must apply for an employment or student visa beforehand. It is very hard to change your visa status after you have arrived in Hong Kong. Anyone wishing to stay longer than the visa-free period must apply for a visa before travelling to Hong Kong.

Visa extensions

In general, visa extensions ($160) are not readily granted unless there are special or extenuating circumstances, such as cancelled flights, illness, registration in a legitimate course of study, legal employment, or marriage to a local.

For more information contact the Hong Kong Immigration Department (2824 6111; www.immd.gov.hk; 5th fl, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Rd, Wan Chai; 8.45am-4.30pm Mon-Fri, 9-11.30am Sat).