Key Takeaways
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Indian passport holders travelling to Hong Kong for a tourist visit do not need to apply for a traditional visa first. Instead, you must complete the Hong Kong Pre-arrival Registration (PAR) online before travelling.
PAR registration is free and allows you to visit Hong Kong visa-free. Travellers can stay up to 14 days per visit, with multiple entries in 6 months. However, your PAR application may be unsuccessful if you don’t meet the eligibility requirements or don’t provide the required information correctly.
This guide covers both options: how to apply for a Hong Kong PAR and what to do if it’s rejected.
What is Hong Kong PAR?
Pre-arrival Registration (PAR) is an online registration system for Indians who want to visit Hong Kong without a visa. It is free to apply, and the system generates your registration result automatically after you submit the required information.
A successful PAR is valid for six months. During this period, travellers can make multiple visits to Hong Kong, with each visit allowing a stay of up to 14 days.
Also remember: if you renew your passport and plan a second visit to Hong Kong, you must apply for a PAR again using your new passport.
Hong Kong PAR Validity and Stay Duration
Note: A PAR allows you to enter Hong Kong under the visa-free arrangement, but the Hong Kong Immigration Department makes the final decision after checking the PAR form to allow entry.
| Requirement | Details |
| PAR fee | Free |
| PAR validity | 6 months |
| Stay per visit | Up to 14 days |
| Number of visits | Multiple visits during validity |
| Passport validity | At least 6 months |
| Registration | Online |
| Processing | Instant registration result |
When Do Indians Need a Hong Kong Visa Instead of PAR?
- Your PAR application is unsuccessful.
- You want to stay in Hong Kong for more than 14 days.
- Your purpose of travel is not covered by the short-stay visitor arrangement, such as employment, study or residence.
Section 1: How to Apply for Hong Kong PAR
Here, you will learn how to apply for PAR through a step-by-step process. Read carefully and note everything you need when applying.
Step 1: Open the Official Hong Kong PAR Website
Go to the official Hong Kong Immigration Department Pre-arrival Registration for Indian Nationals page.
Click “Apply Now” to start the registration.
Step 2: Read and Accept the Terms
The PAR portal takes you through several pages before the actual form; you just need to tick the terms and conditions.
- Read the terms and conditions.
- Tick the required agreement box and click Start.
- On the next page, click Continue.
- Continue to the eligibility section and click Confirm & Continue.
Step 3: Fill in Your Passport Details
Hong Kong Immigration specifically warns that incorrect information, or information that does not match your passport, can make the PAR invalid. This also results in boarding or entry being refused.
Do not change your passport’s place of issue to another city simply because you have heard that another city may have a higher approval rate. Enter the information exactly as printed on your passport.
Pay particular attention to the listed points
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Passport number
- Nationality
- Residential address
- Passport issue date
- Passport expiry date
- Place of issue
The screenshot below shows the section you need to fill in.
Step 4: Confirm Registration Details
After you complete all personal and travel-related information, you will see the filled-in information on the next page.
Check all the details, and if anything is missing, you can go back and change it. If everything is correct, click “I am the registrant”.
Once you have completed all the required fields, submit the PAR application.
The Hong Kong Immigration Department provides results instantly after the required information is entered and processed.
Step 5: Print Your PAR Notification Slip
If your registration is successful, the system generates a Pre-arrival Registration form for Indian Nationals. You need to print it, check that all details match your passport and sign it.
Step 6: Carry the PAR When You Travel
Keep the printed PAR with your passport throughout your journey.
This is important if your Hong Kong itinerary includes Macau. If you leave Hong Kong for Macau and later return to Hong Kong, you still need to meet Hong Kong’s entry requirements.
Important Reasons for Hong Kong PAR Rejection
If you cannot complete the PAR registration successfully, you cannot use PAR to enter Hong Kong visa-free.
If your PAR registration is successful and you receive your form, it doesn’t mean you can board the flight. The information you fill out must match your passport.
1. Passport Details Do Not Match
Check your name, date of birth, passport number, nationality, passport dates, residential details and place of issue before submitting. Even small differences in how a place name is entered can cause problems, so copy the information exactly as printed on your passport.
Example: Passport says “Bengaluru” → do not enter “Bangalore”.
2. Applying With a Different Passport
A PAR is linked to the Indian passport used for the registration. If you renew or replace that passport after receiving PAR, you must apply again using the new passport. The same applies if your personal details have changed.
3. Your Planned Stay is More Than 14 Days
PAR only covers visits or transit stays of up to 14 days per visit. If you plan to stay in Hong Kong for more than 14 days, apply for a visit visa.
4. Passport is Not Valid for at Least Six Months
Your Indian passport should have at least six months of validity remaining when you apply for PAR. Check the expiry date before starting the registration.
Does Passport Issue City Affect Hong Kong PAR Approval?
Some travellers report that applications that mention passports issued in cities such as Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Chandigarh have been rejected. Changing the place of issue to get a successful PAR can also result in rejection.
Hong Kong Immigration’s official guidance requires applicants to enter truthful information that matches the passport exactly.
If your PAR is unsuccessful, the official route is to apply directly to the Hong Kong Immigration Department for the appropriate entry visa.
What to Do if Your Hong Kong PAR is Rejected?
If your Hong Kong PAR is unsuccessful, apply for a Hong Kong Visit Visa directly through the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
The next section explains the application process step by step, including the required documents, application form, fees, and processing time.
Section 2: How to Apply for a Hong Kong Visa After PAR Rejection
Step 1: Open the Hong Kong Visit/Transit Visa Page
Go to the official Hong Kong Immigration Department Visit/Transit visa application page and review the required documents and eligibility criteria.
The official Immigration Department checklist for visa includes:
- Recent passport photograph.
- Copy of your valid passport.
- Proof of financial standing, such as bank statements, savings records or tax documents.
- Proof of employment, where applicable, such as salary slips or an employment/leave letter.
- Flight arrangements.
- Proof of your visit to Hong Kong, such as an itinerary or package-tour receipt.
Step 2: Start the Online Application
Scroll down; under “How to Start”, there is an online application link for a Hong Kong visit/transit visa.
The page can take some time to load, so don’t assume the application has failed just because the page doesn’t open immediately.
Step 3: Accept the Declarations and Complete the Form
Read the terms and declarations, complete the CAPTCHA where required and continue with the application.
The application asks for details about your identity, passport, residence, employment, purpose of visit, itinerary and sponsor where applicable.
Step 4: Personal Details
Make sure the information matches your passport
- Name
- Date of birth
- E-mail address
- Passport number and place of issue
- Travel records
- Purpose of visit
Below are the screenshots of the details you must fill in.
Note: Upload files in formats such as JPEG, PDF, GIF, PNG and TIF, with a maximum of 5 MB or below for each file. Make sure the uploaded documents match the information in your application.
Step 5: Submit the Application
Review the complete application and uploaded documents before submitting. At the end of the page, you must sign first, then submit.
Once the application has been received, an acknowledgement is sent by email. If you do not receive notification after 10 working days, the Immigration Department advises applicants to contact for assistance.
Step 6: Payment Link
If all the information is correct and your application is processed, you will receive an email with a payment link. Then the Hong Kong visa will be sent within 4 weeks; you need to download and print the e-Visa.
Hong Kong Visit/Transit Visa Fees for Indian Travellers
If your PAR is unsuccessful or you plan to stay in Hong Kong for more than 14 days, you must apply for a Visit/Transit Visa.
You must apply for a Visit Visa in advance (prior to travel) to enter Hong Kong. A Transit Visa is required if you wish to leave the airport’s airside transit area during a connection
- Ordinary Visit Visa is approx. 330 HKD (4,027 INR).
- Transit Visa is approx. 170 HKD (2,078 INR).
Hong Kong Visa Processing Time After PAR Rejection
The official Hong Kong Immigration Department states that visit/transit visa applications normally take 4 weeks to process.
The Immigration Department also makes clear that processing cannot be finalised until it receives all required supporting documents and information.
How to Check Hong Kong Visa Status
After your application has been acknowledged, check its status through the official Hong Kong Online Application Status Enquiry.
The Immigration Department also provides a 24-hour telephone enquiry service at +(852) 3160 8663 for application status enquiries.
For general immigration enquiries, the Immigration Department’s enquiry number is +(852) 2824 6111.
Conclusion
Checking the Hong Kong PAR requirement before booking flights is an important part of trip planning.
Online registration is easy but needs more concentration. If your details match your passport and your eligibility is correct, your PAR will be valid.
If your PAR is rejected, the safer option is to follow the official Hong Kong Visit/Transit Visa process.
Apply in advance if you need a visa, as processing takes much longer than the PAR process (4 weeks).
If you need help planning your flights, hotels, sightseeing, PAR registration, and other arrangements, contact Dimaak Tours for assistance. Also, check the available Hong Kong Package options when planning your trip.
FAQs on Hong Kong PAR for Indian Travellers
1. Is Hong Kong visa-free for Indian citizens?
Indian citizens can visit Hong Kong visa-free for eligible stays of up to 14 days, but they must complete the Pre-arrival Registration (PAR) before travelling. If you are rejected, then apply for a Hong Kong visit visa.
2. How long is Hong Kong PAR valid?
A PAR is valid for six months. During that period, you can make multiple visits, with each visit lasting 14 days.
3. How long does Hong Kong PAR take?
The PAR system processes the registration automatically and provides the result instantly after submission.
4. Can you reapply for a Hong Kong Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR) after a rejection?
If your first PAR application is rejected, it will still be considered a valid registration. So, you cannot apply for a new PAR until the existing PAR expires, which is six months from the first registration. Alternatively, you can apply for a Visit Visa, which takes 4 weeks to process.
5. Do you need PAR if you are transiting through Hong Kong?
You do not need PAR if you are in direct airside transit and do not leave the airport transit area. If you need to enter Hong Kong during transit, you must apply for PAR.
