HONG KONG – Indian Nationals Can No Longer Apply for Hong Kong Visit Visas at Chinese Consulates
Effective immediately, Indian nationals requiring a visit visa for stays of more than 14 days must now apply directly to the immigration department in Hong Kong, rather than to the nearest Chinese diplomatic and consular mission.
The change signifies a major inconvenience for Indian nationals travelling to Hong Kong for more than 14 days for business or tourism, as visa issuance through the immigration department can take four weeks, while consular visit visas are usually issued in four business days.
This change follows a new pre-arrival registration requirement, introduced in January 2017, for Indian nationals intending to visit Hong Kong visa-free for up to 14 days.
Action Items
- Indian nationals intending to visit Hong Kong for business or tourism for over 14 days must apply for a visit visa directly to the Immigration Department in Hong Kong, and allow up to four weeks for processing.