The Hong Kong Immigration Department has made it mandatory for Indian nationals to undergo pre-arrival registration online before their visit.
According to local media, this is a crucial step all Indian travelers to Hong Kong must complete. It is also recommended that they complete this process well before their intended travel date, VisaGuide.World reports.
Vistara, a leading Indian airline, has also provided passengers with essential guidelines regarding this new requirement, which has been implemented to facilitate the entry process for Indian visitors to Hong Kong.
Upon successful registration, travelers must print the computer-generated notification slip on an A4-sized sheet. Vistara, in its announcement, strongly advises travelers to also visit the Hong Kong Government Immigration Department website for further details and guidance on the registration process.
In addition, the passenger’s details on this printout must match the information on their passport. However, submitting this notice may lead to passengers being allowed to travel.
Starting October 29 this year, Vistara has initiated daily non-stop flights connecting Delhi and Hong Kong. The airline operates these flights using its A320neo aircraft, which features a three-class configuration.
Moreover, Indian passport holders must obtain a visa to enter Hong Kong for purposes such as tourism, business, or family visits. The specific visa requirements may vary depending on the purpose and duration of the stay.
As for some Indian passport holders holding certain types of valid visas, like the BNO passport or a United States visa, they may be eligible for Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR) instead of a visa. PAR allows for short visits to Hong Kong for tourism or business purposes.
As of November 2023, the Indian passport is ranked 141st globally, based on the VisaGuide Passport Index. As a result, Indian citizens have the privilege of traveling to 30 countries without needing a visa. On the other hand, to visit the remaining countries, Indian passport holders are required to apply for a visa in advance.
Introduced in 2017, the PAR is an Electronic Travel Authorization that Indian citizens must obtain to travel to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). This PAR for Indians has replaced the previous Hong Kong visa-on-arrival system, streamlining the entry process through online pre-registration.
At the same time, the Hong Kong PAR enables travelers to make multiple short stays, with each trip lasting up to 14 days in Hong Kong. The PAR visa travel authorization remains valid six months from the approval date. Travelers have the flexibility to stay in Hong Kong beyond the PAR’s expiry date as long as they enter the country before the last day of validity and limit their stay to 14 days.