Since the day the rules and regulations have been relaxed, the process for applying for a Hong Kong visa by Indians have become hassle-free and simple. Unlike the visas of other countries, when an Indian has to apply for a Hong Kong visa, the applicant has to apply and complete a Pre-arrival Registration before visiting the country.
As per the present policies, an Indian citizen may enjoy a visa-free visit and stay in Hong Kong for a maximum of 14 days, provided he successfully completes his Hong Kong PAR online. People who are exempted from this Pre-Arrival Registration include:
Indian diplomatic passport holders
Indian official passport holders
Indian citizens who enrolled for online Channel service for frequently attending visitors
Holders of Hong Kong Travel Pass
The PAR for a citizen of India is valid till 6 months, provided the applicant meets the requirements for immigration. He may use a notification slip with a passport to visit Hong Kong several times without a visa.
For each visit, the applicant may stay back in Hong Kong for a maximum stretch of 14 days. Nevertheless, if the PAR is not successful, an applicant from India may apply again for a valid entry visa to the Immigration Department if he wants to visit Hong Kong.
Criteria for eligibility for a Hong Kong visa for Indians
A resident of India needs to apply for a PAR and complete before he transits the HKSAR or Hong Kong Special Administration Region visa-free facility. An Indian citizen may also utilize the online service for PAR application if he:
Aims to visit or transit the HKSAR ( except direct transit through air and not leaving the transit area of the airport)
Aims to stay in Hong Kong for not more than 14 days
Has an Indian passport which is valid for 6 months
However, you also have to keep in mind that PAR is not applicable to an Indian citizen if he has the right to land/abode in the HKSAR, is on an unconditional stay in HKSAR and if he has permission to stay in HKSAR for study, resident or employment.
When the immigration demands are met, a citizen of India can visit the HKSAR without a Pre-arrival registration, if he belongs to the following categories:
If he is a valid holder of official passport
If he is a valid holder of diplomatic passport
If he has an entry visa for HKSAR
If he is a valid holder of HKSAR travel pass
If he is a holder of United Nations Laissez Pass, who are visiting the HKSAR for an official purpose
If he has enrolled for the e-channel service being a visitor who visits frequently
General Procedure of Application
The applicant has to visit the official website of Hong Kong for the PAR and fill out the form with authentic details. The details should match with his passport.
Once this application is completed and submitted, the application is processed and the result is informed immediately to the applicant.
In the event of a successful registration, the registrant should get the PAR Notification Slip printed.
The applicant has to double-check the data entered on the slip to make sure all details are correct before signing on the dotted line.
For any reason, if the PAR is unsuccessful, the applicant should apply for a valid entry visa with the Immigration Department so that he is allowed to transit the HKSAR.
When an applicant is not successful in acquiring a PAR, he can also apply for a direct valid VISA directly with the Hong Kong Immigration Department, for which the visa fee is 190 HKD.
Author Bio:
Cathy Slater is an experienced content writer. She is associated with many renowned travel blogs as a guest author where she shares her valuable travel tips with the audience.
