Depending on their nationality and the purpose of their stay, expats may need a visa for Hong Kong. Fortunately, visa requirements aren't as stringent as in many other countries, and the application process is relatively straightforward. 

Hong Kong's Immigration Department has more information on visas and immigration policies in the city-state.

Visit visas for Hong Kong

Visa application

Expats planning to visit Hong Kong should find out whether an entry visa must be obtained before departure.

Citizens from approximately 170 countries worldwide can enter Hong Kong without a visa for a limited amount of time. Different periods of stay are granted to different nationals, so expats should be aware of the amount of time specifically associated with their nationality – usually either 14, 30 or 90 days.

For those who do need an entry visa, this documentation can be applied for at the nearest Chinese embassy. Expats who are travelling to Hong Kong must have enough to fund their trip, and they must submit a travel itinerary with their visa application. 

Work visas for Hong Kong

There are several options for work permits for Hong Kong, with the most common being the General Employment Policy (GEP) visa for skilled and qualified workers. The Working Holiday Scheme (WHS) visa is another popular visa option, which allows nationals of certain countries to take up part-time employment while holidaying in Hong Kong. 

Dependant visas for Hong Kong

Expats in Hong Kong can apply to bring their dependants to Hong Kong, including dependent unmarried children under the age of 18 and spouses of the original visa holder. Once an expat becomes a permanent resident of Hong Kong, they can also apply for a dependant visa for parents over the age of 60.

Expats will have to provide proof of their relationship with their dependants and show that they can financially support and accommodate these individuals while living in Hong Kong. The validity of the dependant visa will depend on the original visa holder's visa. All documents must be in English or Cantonese.

*Visa regulations are subject to change at short notice, and expats should contact their respective embassy or consulate for the latest details.

What do expats say about visa processes in Hong Kong?

"Obtaining the work permit was not a problem in my case. My previous company took care of the processing and documents, I only had to go to the immigration department to pick up the visa once done. But it would not be a major issue to go through the process myself. The procedure is pretty simple and clearly explained, and the most important thing to keep in mind is the processing time of about six to eight weeks. You can only start working once the visa is approved by the immigration department." Read our interview with French expat Edouard to learn more about living in Hong Kong.

Further reading

►For more on employment in the Fragrant Harbour, see Working in Hong Kong

Are you an expat living in Hong Kong?

Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Hong Kong. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute, or fill in our expat interview form to be featured.