Hong Kong extends electronic application services to all visa types with immediate effect

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Applicants can complete all visa applications online for visits, employment, investment, training, residence and study, without having to visit an immigration office in person.

Hong Kong has extended electronic services for visa application to all visa application types with immediate effect, announced the Immigration Department (ImmD) on 29 November 2022 (Tuesday).

The implementation of the electronic services for all visa applications is being done in phases from 28 December 2021 to 29 November 2022 to allow applicants to complete the entire process of visa-related application online, including visas/entry permits for visits, employment, investment, training, residence and study.

Applicants can complete the entire process of application submission, payment, submission of supporting documents, and collection of visa/entry permits through the ImmD mobile application, the ImmD's website or the GovHK website, without having to visit an Immigration Office in person.

During the process, they can save the information entered in the system temporarily for later completion of the online application process. After submitting their applications online, applicants can also submit supplementary documents and/or enquire the status of their applications online, when necessary. 

Upon approval of the application, applicants may pay online through the online payment webpage link provided in the notification of the application result, and then download or print the e-Visa by themselves upon payment.

With the implementation of the e-Visa arrangement, the ImmD has ceased issuing sticker-type physical labels for entry visa/permit and extension of stay, etc. The sticker-type physical labels for entry visa/permit and extension of stay, etc. issued before 28 December 2021 shall remain valid within the validity period or limit of stay as stated on the labels.

Despite the extension of electronic services for visa application to all visa application types, applicants may still choose to use the existing methods, such as in person, by post or by drop-in box, to submit their applications, and attend an Immigration Office for payment and collection of the visa. Regardless of the submission method, the eligibility criteria and the fees of relevant applications will remain unchanged.

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Infographic / The Immigration Department (ImmD)