Visa Policy of Hong Kong

Visa Policy Of Hong Kong

The Government of Hong Kong allows citizens of specific countries/territories to travel to Hong Kong for tourism or certain business-related activities for periods ranging from 14 to 180 days without having to obtain a visa. Citizens of all countries require visas to undertake other activities, such as study, employment, or operation of a business, unless they have the right to land or right of abode in Hong Kong. Under the One Country, Two Systems policy, Hong Kong maintains its immigration and visa policy independently from the rest of China. Consequently, entering Hong Kong from other parts of China requires passing through an immigration checkpoint. Whilst Macao and Taiwan residents have visa-free/visa-on-arrival access for short visits to Hong Kong, Chinese citizens with household registration in mainland China residents need to go through a more rigorous approval system before they can obtain a permit to enter Hong Kong.

Due to the historical background of Hong Kong, immigration status in Hong Kong is determined by a combination of both nationality and residence status. Therefore, even a Chinese national with the right of abode in Hong Kong has a slightly different status to a foreign national with the right of abode in Hong Kong as well (since the former can never lose ROA status while the latter can lose it if he does not enter Hong Kong for a period of 36 months). At the same time, a foreign national with the right of abode in Hong Kong has a preferential immigration status to a Chinese national without the right of abode in Hong Kong, as the former can remain in Hong Kong indefinitely, while the latter has to have his immigration status reassessed whenever his visa/permit expires.