Visa on arrival is not permitted in Hong Kong. However, the Diplomats, Hong Kong officials, and Hong Kong travel pass holders are exempted from this rule. The travelers who are in transit through Hong Kong and do not leave the airport area are also exempted from Visa or registration requirements.
Indian travelers are exempted from Visa requirements, but they still have to apply for pre-arrival registration. So, if somebody wants to explore and unlock the wonders of Hong Kong, a pre-arrival registration has to be completed at www.gov.hk/en/apps/immdindianparreg.htm. Fortunately, a pre-arrival registration can be completed online and that has considerably simplified the process.
Requirements-
Some of the requirements for the pre-arrival process are as follows.
Valid Passport-
Any person desirous of pre-arrival registration must possess a valid passport. In fact, a passport should be valid for another six months from the date of arrival to Hong Kong.
Email ID-
The applicant must have a valid e-mail address for the successful completion of the pre-arrival registration process. All the registration related notification is mailed to a provided e-mail.
Payment means-
The online application for pre-arrival registration has to be accompanied by a requisite fee. Now, the immigration department of Hong Kong accepts online payments through debit/credit cards, PayPal and other permitted payment gateways.
The validity of registration-
A successful application for pre-arrival registration is valid for six months from application date. During this course of six months, one may visit the HKSAR or Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as many times as needed but the maximum days of stay in Hong Kong, should not exceed 14 days.
Data Consistency-
While applying for pre-arrival registration, one has to be very careful about the data provided. The information or the data entered, in the pre-arrival application form should tally with the data on the passport. Any inconsistency of data between a passport and Pre-arrival registration form would cancel the registration.
All these details are also available at www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/pre-arrival_registration_for_indian_nationals.html.
The online registration portal for pre-arrival registration application, provides an instantaneous result. On successful completion of registration, a notification icon in the form of a link is sent to the registered e-mail. One can visit this link and print the notification by providing his/her passport number. This notification receipt is needed on arrival to Hong Kong.
Sometimes the application for pre-arrival registration is rejected or is unsuccessful. No need to panic but an application for Visa should be made directly to the immigration department of the Hong Kong government. Every application along with a valid passport and this application can also be made online.
FEES-
Every application for Visa on unsuccessful Pre-arrival Registration must be accompanied with a fee of 190 Hong Kong Dollars. The requisite fee is to be paid by bank draft, payable to the immigration department of Hong Kong.
Query or grievance redresses-
All the Visa applications are to be submitted directly to the Hong Kong immigration department. Any query or grievance pertaining to these applications should be made directly to the Hong Kong immigration department. Sometimes people send their query to Chinese diplomatic cell or Chinese consular missions, who are in no way concerned to it.
Processing Time-
If the Visa application is complete in all aspects, the Hong Kong immigration department takes 4 weeks to process it. It is advised to send the original documents to the Hong Kong immigration department by post or courier for the needful.
Helpline-
For any inquiry pertaining to Visa application, one may email at enquiry@immd.gov.hk or call at +852 2824 6111. One can also make use of the Hong Kong immigration department mobile application.
Urgent Application-
If the application for Visa is urgent then one should fax the required documents to the Hong Kong immigration department at +852 2824 1133. Along with the requisite documents, a covering letter should also be faxed to the immigration department of Hong Kong.
The application process is very user-friendly and straightforward. The time taking and long process is gone with the time, the online application for pre-arrival registration can now be completed in a very short span of time. The documents required and the protocols are well defined to avoid confusion and ambiguity. If any clarification is needed, there is a 247 support available from a team of professionals. IVisa also provides round the clock personalized help.
The complete application process is now simplified into three steps:
Step one-
You just have to fill your personal pieces of information, age, name, sex, marital status, address, Passport information etc. Then comes the option of processing time selection, one has to be careful while selecting the processing time, because every choice is charged differently. This fee is charged by iVisa for the services rendered by it. The processing time fees slab is as follows;
Standard-
This is the normal processing time and the fees charged is 25$. Under this method, the notification slip is provided in next working day.
Rush -
The fees charged is 55$ but the notification slip is available in two hours.
Super Rush-
On payment of 75$ the notification slip is made available within 15 minutes of application.
Step Two-
This step gives a chance of revision and payment. One needs to carefully examine the information provided and proceed with the payment method, as any mistake may lead to cancellation.
Step Three-
This last steps calls for additional document upload If required. One has to answer a set of very simplified, personal questions in this step. Now you can finally submit the application and wait for notification slip.
