I. Special Notice

1. Nationals of more than 170 countries and regions, including the United Kingdom, enjoy visa-free visits to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the purpose of visit. For details, please refer to Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. But if the purpose of visit is to work, study or training, a visa is required before traveling to Hong Kong SAR.

2. From 1 May 2019, all applicants who hold ordinary passports and apply for ordinary visas for Hong Kong SAR are required to submit their applications at the Chinese Visa Application Centers (no pre-book appointment is required). The Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the U.K. will no longer accept such visa applications. Applicants can also choose to submit applications to Hong Kong SAR Immigration Department directly by mail or through a sponsor in Hong Kong SAR.

3. Diplomatic, service or official passport holders and those who are applying for diplomatic, service or courtesy visas for Hong Kong SAR shall submit applications directly to the Chinese Embassy or Consulates in the U.K..

II. Documents Required

1. Original passport with at least 6 months remaining validity and one blank visa page as well as a photocopy of the bio data page.

2. Truthfully and completely filled-out visa application form of the proper type according to the purpose of the trip to Hong Kong SAR.

2. Two recently-taken, full face, coloured and bare-headed passport photos (no larger than 55mm×45mm and no smaller than 50mm×40mm), one of which attached on the visa application form.

4.Original and photocopy of UK visa or residence permit (applicable to non-UK citizens).

5. For other corresponding documents, please refer to the requirements of the Hong Kong SAR Immigration Department.

III. Processing Time

1. Visas to be processed and issued by the Chinese Embassy or the Consulates:

Standard service: The visa will be ready for collection on the fourth working day;

Express service: The visa will be ready for collection on the third working day.

2. It normally takes 3 weeks if the applications are to be referred to the Hong Kong SAR Immigration Department for processing. There is no express or urgent service for this type of application.

IV. Visa Fees and Service Charges

1. Standard Service: £23 per person.

2. Express Service: additional £19 per person on top of the standard service fee.

3. For visa applications that need to be referred to the Hong Kong SAR Immigration Department, in addition to the visa fee, an extra £15 will be charged for telecommunications service when submitting the application.

4. Visa Center Service Charge: Applying for a visa for Hong Kong SAR through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centers requires an additional service charge of £66 (including tax). For express service, an additional service charge of £78 (including tax) is required.