Visa & Immigration Update - Pre-Arrival Registration for Visa-Free Status in Hong Kong

Impacted Area:

Policy highlights:

The Hong Kong Immigration Department has announced Indian nationals will be required to complete an online pre-arrival registration (PAR) before they can continue to enjoy the current 14-day visa-free status in Hong Kong as visitors effective January 23, 2017.

The designated website (www.gov.hk/en/apps/immdindianparreg.htm) will be open for registration from December 19, 2016 onwards.  Applicant can make the online registration at any place and PAR is totally free of charge.  After inputting the required information, the application will be processed immediately and the result will be known right away.  Successful applicants are required to print out a notification slip and bring this with them for immigration clearance upon arrival.

PAR is normally valid for six months or in accordance with the validity of the Indian passport, whichever is shorter.  During the validity of PAR, the Indian passport holder is allowed to make multiple visits to Hong Kong and is permitted to remain in Hong Kong for up to 14 days per arrival, provided that the normal immigration requirements are met.

Who can apply:

• Indian nationals who are holding the Indian passport with validity of at least six months; and
• Indian nationals who intend to visit or transit Hong Kong (except in direct transit by air and not leaving the airport transit area) for a stay not exceeding 14 days.

Who can be exempted:

• Indian nationals in direct transit by air and not leaving the airport transit area;
• holders of a valid Indian diplomatic or official passport;
• holders of United Nations Laissez Passer coming to the HKSAR or transiting the HKSAR to/from a third place for official United Nations business;
• those who have successfully enrolled for e-Channel service for Frequent Visitors;
• holders of a valid HKSAR Travel Pass;  
• those who have obtained a valid entry visa for the HKSAR;
• Indian nationals who are a member of operating aircrew or operating seacrew on board vessels, or a contract seaman

Pre-registration for Indian nationals:

www.gov.hk/en/apps/immdindianparreg.htm

Information required during registration:

• English name
• alias in English (if any)
• sex
• marital status
• date of birth
• place of birth
• residential address
• contact telephone number
• India passport number, place of issue, issue date and expiry date
• (Optional) local sponsor's information in Hong Kong

Important things to note:

Successful PAR applicants are required to print out and bring the notification slip, as well as the same and valid Indian passport that he/she has used to apply for the PAR.  Failure to present these two things may lead to refusal of entry at the immigration clearance.

Please note PAR arrangement does not apply to visit visa for more than 14 days and Indian nationals coming to Hong Kong for other purposes such as employment, training, study are still required to apply for the relevant visa.

Online demonstration released by Immigration Department:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLyO76faVS4

FAQs:

https://webapp.immd.gov.hk/content_ver2/indianparreg/html/english/indianpar_faq_page1.html

Your SIRVA contact:

For any questions, please reach out to your SIRVA Immigration Specialist in Hong Kong at _SIR-HK-VISA@sirva.com