I. Special Notice

1. Nationals of more than 160 countries and territories, including the United Kingdom, can enjoy visa-free visits to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for short-term visits. For details, please refer to Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. For purpose of working, studying, training or performing, a visa is required before traveling to the Hong Kong SAR.

2. From 1 May 2019, all applicants holding ordinary passports and applying for regular visas to the Hong Kong SAR are required to submit their applications at the Chinese Visa Application Centers (no appointment is required). The Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the UK will no longer process such visa applications. Applicants can also submit their applications to the Hong Kong SAR Immigration Department directly by mail or through a sponsor in Hong Kong SAR.

3. Diplomatic, service (official) passport holders and those applying for diplomatic, service, or courtesy visas for the Hong Kong SAR should submit applications directly to the Chinese Embassy or Consulates in the UK.

II. Documents Required

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

2. Visa application form of the proper type, truthfully and completely filled-out according to the purpose of the visit to Hong Kong SAR.

3.Two passport photos (no larger than 55mm×45mm and no smaller than 50mm×40mm, recently taken, in colour, full face, without hat), with one photo attached to the visa application form.

4. Original and a photocopy of the UK visa or residence permit (for non-UK citizens).

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

III. Processing Times

1. For visas to be processed and issued by the Chinese Embassy or 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 4 weeks if the applications need to be forwarded to the Hong Kong SAR Immigration Department for approval. No express service is available for this type of application.

IV. Visa Fees and Service Charges

1. Standard Service: £23 per application.

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

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

4. Visa Center Service Charge: Applying for a visa for the 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) applies.