Visas and Entry Permits to Hong Kong
I . How to make an application
1. Documents for applications
(1) The application form needs to be filled out truthfully and completely according to the purpose of visiting Hong Kong.
(2) The photo you need to prepare must be a recent, coloured passport one in the size of 48mm x 33mm. The photo must show your face looking forward and your head must not have any coverings. Please affix the photo to the application form.
(3) The visa officials may require other documents if they deem necessary.
2. Application processing schedules
(1) Visas processed by the Chinese Embassy will normally be ready for collection on the fourth working day for standard service and on the third working day for express service.
(2) Visas or entry permits that need to be referred to the Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong SAR) would normally take about one month to process. There is no express service available for this category.
3. Application Fees for visas or entry permits and payment methods
(1) Standard service: €10 for Chinese citizens and €33 for citizens of other nationalities
(2) Express service: An additional fee of €21 per visa will be charged. (This service is subject to approval.)
(3) An extra fee of €20 will be charged for telecommunications if a visa needs to be referred to the Immigration Department of the Government of Hong Kong SAR.(4) Payment should be made by Post Order or Bank Draft of Bank of Ireland or AIB on collection.
4. Some Notes
(1) Each item of the application form must be filled truthfully, clearly and completely. Any untruthful contents, missed items or illegible handwriting may lead to delay of the application processing or even refusal of the visa.
(2) Visa officials will consider visa applications on individual merits.
(3) Authoritative interpretations remain with the Embassy should there be any change to the information above.
II. Going to Hong Kong with an Irish passport or a passport of a third country
1. An Irish citizen holding a passport of Ireland may visit Hong Kong without entry clearance.
2. For information as to whether a citizen of a third country needs to apply for a visa and how to apply, please visit the website of the Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region:http://www.immd.gov.hk/index.html
III. Going to Hong Kong with a passport or travel document of the People's Republic of China
1. Transiting Hong Kong
(1) Holders of passports issued by the People's Republic of China do not need a permit for entry into Hong Kong. They may stay for up to 7 days if they only need to transit from overseas to a third country (or region) as long as they hold a valid passport and air tickets of connecting flights. They do not need to show their tickets if their destination is Chinese mainland or Macao.
Holders of passports issued by the People's Republic of China may enter and stay in Hong Kong for up to 7 days without entry permits if they present their connecting flight tickets together with their visas to the destination country or region or legal residence permit (such as a permanent residence card, a valid visa of study or work).
(2) If you are planning to stay for more than 7 days in Hong Kong, you will need to apply for an entry permit in advance. The Chinese Embassy may issue a single-entry or double-entry permit valid for 3 months with a maximum duration of 30 days for each stay. If you hold a permanent residence card and have stayed overseas for more than one year, you are entitled to applying for a multiple entry permit.
2. Visiting Hong Kong
(1) Chinese citizens going to Hong Kong, even for a short visit, will need to apply for an entry permit regardless of the types of passports they hold.
(2) The following applicants, regardless of the length of their stay, need to submit their applications to the Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR, or the Chinese Embassy, or the Chinese Consulate General:
a. Applicants who are going to take employment, to perform, or to hold exhibitions in Hong Kong;
b. Applicants who are going to study, or to take vocational training, or to take industrial or business training;
c. Applicants who are going to work or settle in Hong Kong.
For detailed information and application requirements, please visit the website of the Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR
http://www.immd.gov.hk/index.html.
3. Holders of travel pass issued by the People's Republic of China need to apply for an entry permit if they intend to transit or enter Hong Kong.
IV. Hong Kong SAR residents going to Hong Kong
Holders of a valid Hong Kong SAR passport, or a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card, or a Hong Kong Certificate of Identity, or a Seaman's Identity Book (excluding seamen overstaying on temporary shore leave), or a British national (overseas) passport, do not need a visa or entry permit to enter Hong Kong.
V. Macao SAR residents going to Hong Kong
1. The following permanent residents of Macao do not need an entry permit to travel to Hong Kong and may stay there for up to 180 days;
(1) Permanent residents of Macao holding a valid Permanent Identity Card of Macao, and their visit to and stay in Hong Kong is in conformity with general entry regulations;
(2) Holders of Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to Hong Kong SAR and proof of permanent resident status in Macao.
2. Non-permanent residents holding a Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to Hong Kong SAR, may enter Hong Kong without an entry permit for the purpose of visit but their stay there is not to exceed 30 days.
3. Travellers going to Hong Kong with a passport or travel permit issued by Macao SAR:
Holders of a passport or travel permit issued by Macao SAR may enter Hong Kong without an entry permit, and may stay there for up to 7 days, if they transit Hong Kong, between Macao and another country or region, and their entry is in conformity with general entry regulations including having valid entry documents and booked tickets of connecting trains/coaches, cruises or flights to the overseas destination.
4. For details please visit the website of the Immigration Department of the Government of Hong Kong SAR: http://www.immd.gov.hk/index.html
VI. Taiwan residents going to Hong Kong
1. Overseas Taiwan residents going to Hong Kong:
(1) Holders of Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents entering Hong Kongas visitors do not need an entry permit as long as the entry is in conformity with general entry regulations and their stay is not to exceed 30 days.
(2) Visitors without a Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents need to obtain a Chinese Travel Document first (please see details regarding its applications) before applying for an entry permit to Hong Kong.
(3) Entry permits to Hong Kong are normally in the form of single entry or double entries valid for 3 months, or multiple entries valid for one year, and each stay is not to exceed 14 days. Applicants applying for an entry permit of multiple entries valid for a year must provide proof of permanent residence in the UK. If they are planning to stay for more than 14 days in Hong Kong, their application will need to be referred to the Immigration Department of the Government of Hong Kong SAR.
2. Taiwan residents living in Taiwan
(1) Taiwan residents living in Taiwan may register for a pre-arrival application for entry via One-Stop Portal of Hong Kong SAR, which is normally valid for two months with double entries and the maximum duration of each stay is 30 days.
(2) If the visit or transit duration is to exceed 30 days, applicants will need to hold an Entry Permit issued by the Immigration Department of the Government of Hong Kong SAR. The formalities can be assigned to designated airline companies or agencies to process.
VII. Contacting the Immigration Department of the Government of Hong Kong SAR
Address: Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Tel: 852-2824 1212
Fax: 852-2824 1133
Web: http://www.immd.gov.hk/index.html
Authoritative interpretation remains with the Embassy should there be any change to the information above.