Visa/Entry Permit for Hong Kong

One: Application Guidelines

1. Documents Required

1) Visa Application Form – Please fill out the visa application form (V2011A) truthfully and completely according to your purpose of visit to Hong Kong.

2) Photo – Please affix one color photo on the application form. The photo should be recent, front view, in 48mm x33mm size without head covering.

3) Other documents if deemed necessary by visa officers.

2. Processing Time

For all the visas that should be issued by the Chinese Embassy:

1) Regular service: Visas can be obtained on the fourth business day.

2) Express service: Visas can be obtained on the second or third business day.

3) Same-day rush service: Visas can be obtained on the same day. (Visas will be granted in the afternoon of the same day if applications are made by 12:00 P.M.)

If an application is required to be referred to the Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for processing, it normally takes about a month. Such an application is not eligible for express or rush service.

3. Visa Fees and Payment

1) Regular service: $30 per person;

2) Express service: An additional fee of $20 per person will be charged.

3) Same day rush service: An additional fee of $30 per person will be charged.

4) For any application that needs to be referred to the HKSAR Immigration Department for processing, apart from the visa fee of $30, an additional $20 of telecom liaison fee should be paid upon submission of the application.

5) Please pay by money order, cashier's check, Credit Card (Visa or MasterCard only). Cash or personal/company check is not accepted. Please make checks or money order payable to "Chinese Embassy".

4. Other Important Information

1) Please fill out the visa application form truthfully, completely and clearly. Any false, or incomplete statement or failure to write in a clear way may delay the processing of a visa application or result in the refusal of a visa.

2) Visa officials reserve the right to make decisions on a visa on a case-by-case basis.

3) The Chinese Embassy reserves the right of interpretation in case of changes to the information above.

Two: Visiting Hong Kong with a U.S. passport, a Third-Country Passport or an Advance Parole

1. A U.S. citizen holding a U.S. passport may visit the HKSAR without visa for a short visit or tourism and stay in Hong Kong for up to 90 days. But in any of the following cases, the U.S. citizen still needs to apply for a visa at the Chinese Embassy or Consulates General or the Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR before making the trip.

1) The U.S. citizen intends to stay in Hong Kong for more than 90 days.

2) The U.S. Citizen goes to Hong Kong for employment, permanent residency, performance or exhibition.

3) The U.S. Citizen goes to Hong Kong for studies, professional training or industrial or commercial training.

2. For information on whether or not a third-country national is required to apply for visa and how to apply, please visit the website of the Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR: http://www.immd.gov.hk.

3. A holder of an advance parole who goes to Hong Kong for tourism, family visit, business meetings or business activities should apply for a Hong Kong visa. A Chinese citizen with an advance parole should apply for a Travel Document of the PRC and an entry permit. The Chinese Embassy or Consulate General may issue a single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry visa to the holder of an advance parole on a case-by-case basis. The maximum duration of each stay is 3 months for applicants who were formally Hong Kong residents, or 1 month for other applicants.

Holder of an advance parole who goes to Hong Kong for studies, training, work or permanent residency may submit a Hong Kong visa application directly to the HKSAR Immigration Department, or to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General.

Three: Visiting Hong Kong with a Passport/Travel Document of the People's Republic of China

1. Transit through Hong Kong

1) A holder of a valid passport of the People's Republic of China who travels with a connecting ticket from overseas through Hong Kong to a third country/region may stay in Hong Kong for up to 7 days without a Hong Kong entry permit. If the final destination is China's mainland or Macao, no connecting ticket is required.

A holder of a valid passport of the People's Republic of China who travels with a connecting ticket and a valid visa or document of permanent residency of the destination country/region (e.g. work visa, student visa, permanent resident card) from China's mainland through Hong Kong to a third country/region may stay in Hong Kong for up to 7 days without a Hong Kong entry permit.

2) Travelers who plan to stay in Hong Kong for more than 7 days must apply for an entry permit. The Chinese Consulate General will issue a single-entry or double-entry permit valid for 3 months with a maximum duration of stay of 30 days each time. U.S. permanent resident card holders who have lived overseas for at least one year can apply for a multiple-entry permit valid for 2 years.

2. Visiting Hong Kong

1) Chinese citizens going to Hong Kong for short visit (regardless of the passport type) must apply for a Hong Kong entry permit.

2) Visitors under any of the following circumstances must apply for a Hong Kong entry permit at the HKSAR Immigration department or to the Chinese Embassy or Consulates General regardless of the length of stay:

(1) The purpose of the trip is to get employment, give performances or hold exhibitions; or to reside permanently;

(2) The purpose of the trip is to study, or receive vocational education or industrial/business training;

(3) The visitor intends to work or reside permanently in Hong Kong.

Please visit the website of the HKSAR Immigration Department (http://www.immd.gov.hk/) for more information.

3. Visitors traveling with a Travel Document of the People's Republic of China to visit or transit though Hong Kong must apply for a Hong Kong entry permit.

Four: Hong Kong Residents Going to Hong Kong

No visa or entry permit is required for any holder of the following travel documents:

► Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport

►Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card

►Hong Kong Certificate of Identity (CI)

►Hong Kong Seaman's Identity Book (excluding seamen overstaying, temporary shore leave)

►British National (Overseas) Passport

Five: Macao Residents Visiting Hong Kong

1. The following permanent residents of Macao may visit Hong Kong without entry permit for a period up to 180 days:

1) Permanent residents of Macao holding valid permanent identity cards of Macao and in conformity with general entry regulations;

2) Holders of Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to HKSAR and proof of permanent resident status in Macao.

2. Holders of Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to HKSAR who are non-permanent residents of Macao may visit Hong Kong without entry permit for up to 30 days.

3. Holders of Macao SAR passports and holders of Macao SAR Travel Permits who travel between Macao SAR and another country/region may transit through Hong Kong for a stay of up to 7 days without entry permit, provided that the general entry regulations are met, including possession of valid visas or other entry documents for the destination and confirmed onward tickets.

2. Please visit the website of the HKSAR Immigration Department (http://www.immd.gov.hk) for more information.

Six: Taiwan Residents Visiting Hong Kong

1. Holders of valid "Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents" may enter Hong Kong as tourists and stay for up to 7 days without entry permit, provided the general entry regulations are met.

2. Taiwan residents who live in Taiwan should apply for entry permit issued by HKSAR Immigration Department through one of the authorized airline companies or agencies if they intend to visit or transit through Hong Kong and stay there for over 7 days.

3. Taiwan compatriots who live overseas should apply for a Travel Document of the People's Republic of China and a Hong Kong entry permit at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General (see Travel Document for more information) if they intend to visit Hong Kong without "Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents". They should also apply for an entry permit which can be single-entry or double-entry valid for 3 months, or multiple-entry valid for one year with a duration of stay up to 14 days each time. Applicants applying for a multiple-entry permit valid for one year must submit proof of U.S. residency (e.g. permanent resident card).

If an applicant intends to stay for more than 14 days in Hong Kong, the application will be referred to the Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for processing,

Please visit the website of the HKSAR Immigration Department (http://www.immd.gov.hk) for more information.

Seven: Contact the HKSAR Immigration Department

Address: Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Tel: (852) 2824 1212

Fax: (852) 2824 1133

Website: http://www.immd.gov.hk/ The Chinese Embassy or Consulates General reserve the right of interpretation in case of changes to the information above.

Visa/Entry Permit for Macao SAR

1. At present, citizens of 66 countries and regions, such as the U.S., Canada and Portugal, enjoy visa-free entry into Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) for tourism purpose.

2. Starting from 1 July 2010, holders of ordinary passports and some holders of service passports of Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam are not eligible to apply for a Macao visa upon arrival and must apply for a Macao visa at Chinese diplomatic or consular missions abroad or the Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong SAR before entering Macao SAR.

Holders of diplomatic passports of the six countries above still enjoy visa-free entry into Macao SAR. Members of diplomatic and consular missions of the six countries and representatives of international organizations in China and their family members can apply for a Macao visa upon arrival with their passports and the identification cards of diplomatic or consular officers or administrative and technical staff.

3. Citizens of other countries or regions may apply for a Macao visa at the local Chinese Embassy or Consulate General, or apply for a visa upon their arrival in Macao.

4. Application Guidelines

1) Documents Required

A. Visa Application Form– Please fill out the visa application form (V2011A) truthfully and completely.

B. Photo – Please affix one color photo on the application form. The photo should be recent, front view, in 48mm x33mm size without head covering.

C. Other documents deemed necessary by visa officers.

2) Processing Time

For all the visas that should be issued by the Chinese Embassy or Consulates General:

A. Regular service: Visas can be obtained on the fifth business day.

B. Express service: Visas can be obtained on the third business day.

C. Rush service: Visas can be obtained on the second business day.

If an application that needs to be referred to the Immigration Department of the Government of the Macao SAR for processing, it normally takes about 10 business days. Such an application is not eligible for express or rush service.

3) Visa Fees and Payment

A. Regular service: $30 per person;

B. Express service: An additional fee of $20 per person will be charged.

C. Rush service: An additional fee of $30 per person will be charged.

D. For any application that needs to be referred to the Macao SAR Immigration Department for processing, apart from the visa fee of $30, an additional $20 of telecom liaison fee should be paid upon submission of the application.

E. Please pay by money order, cashier's check, or Visa/Master Card. Cash or personal/company check is not accepted. Please make checks or money order payable to "Chinese Embassy".

4) Other Important Information

A. Please fill out the visa application form (V2011A) truthfully, completely and clearly. Any false or incomplete statement or failure to write in a clear way may delay the processing of a visa application or result in the refusal of a visa.

B. Visa officials reserve the right to make decisions on a visa on a case-by-case basis.

C. Please visit the website of the Macao SAR Public Security Police Force http://www.fsm.gov.mo/ for more information.

5. Contact the Immigration Department of Macao SAR Public Security Police Force

Address: Immigration Department Building Travessa Um do Cais de Pac On, Taipa, Macao

Tel: (853) 8897 0601, (853) 8897 0602

Fax: (853) 2872 6936

Email: smce@fsm.gov.mo

Website: http://www.fsm.gov.mo/The Chinese Consulates General reserve the right of interpretation in case of changes to the information above.