Starting next week, September 30, Georgian citizens can enter Hong Kong without needing to obtain a visa.
According to a recent statement, the Immigration Department of Hong Kong (ImmD) revealed that nationals of Georgia who are holders of valid diplomatic, official and ordinary passports can stay in the country for up to 30 consecutive days visa-free, VisaGuide.World reports.
Georgia is along on the Belt and Road. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, this visa-free arrangement will provide travel convenience for visitors from Georgia and strengthen the tourism, cultural and economic ties between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Georgia.
As of May 28, 2024, Georgian nationals can also visit China for short stays without a visa. While Georgians no longer need to apply for a Chinese visa, they must still adhere to certain conditions under the visa-free agreement. According to this agreement, they can stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa.
In addition, the country’s former PM, Irakli Garibashvili, announced visa-free travel for Chinese citizens to Georgia in September 2023.
Georgians must ensure that their total stay in China does not exceed 90 days within any 180 days. To qualify for visa-free entry, travelers must have a valid passport for at least six months beyond their planned stay.
Additionally, Georgians must provide proof of a hotel reservation and have travel health insurance. These documents must be presented at the border, where Chinese border officers will verify them to grant or deny entry.
Over 50,000 Chinese Tourists Were Registered in Georgia Last Year
Maia Omiadze, the Head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration, announced that Georgia welcomed around 50,000 Chinese tourists in 2023, highlighting the potential of this market for the country. Omiadze also shared plans for 2024, which include a visit to China and participation in an international exhibition in Shanghai.
As of now, citizens of Georgia can travel visa-free to 91 countries, require an eVisa for 28 countries, and must apply for a visa for 22 others. The Georgian passport is ranked 74th globally on the VisaGuide Passport Index as of September 2024, which evaluates the passports of 199 countries and territories. In comparison, citizens of Hong Kong can travel visa-free to 140 countries and need an eVisa for 19 countries. The Hong Kong passport is ranked 46th globally.