The city of Hong Kong again fits your imagination in every sense of the word; it is a cosmopolitan city with tall buildings as the sky and delicious dim sum to tickle your appetite like a well-orchestrated music. Walking through bright-lit Mong Kok with signs that light up the night like a human city, you can’t help but fall in love with this city. The Hong Kong visa for Indians is free of cost. If you are planning to visit this fascinating city. If your visit will not exceed 14 days, there will be no need to worry about visa costs while visiting this fantastic location. All you need to do is log on to the internet, do the pre-arrival registration (PAR), get your Hong Kong visa, and off you go!
However, this is a small city that hosts many events that make every trip grand no matter the size of the city. From island hopping to hiking at Victoria peak, sampling lip-smacking street food, and even visiting the world’s famous Hong Kong Disneyland – the dream comes alive here. And the Star Ferry, which, literally, lets you feel as if you are surfing through the time. What is more, the rocking of the boat in water makes a kind of dance and the skyline in the distance has a dreamlike effect.
Check Out: Top Tips for a Successful Hong Kong Visit Visa Application
Types of Hong Kong visa
1. Visitor (Tourist) Visa
A Visitor or Tourist Visa is issued to those who would like to visit the Hong Kong for purposes of tourism. This visa enables visitors to explore the city’s tourist destination, taste the culinary classics, and be part of the lively culture for a short time of up to two weeks for the countries that are eligible for this visa, and this includes India. People are able to get the taste of the local culture from a simple sightseeing of various attractions such as Victoria Peak up to tasting local street foods. If you are not working and studying, the process of applying for this visa is simple and is usually free of charge.
2. Business Visa
The Business Visa is intended for persons who want to come to the Hong Kong for business purposes including meetings, conferences, fairs and so on. Holders of this visa are however not allowed to seek any form of employment within the local community. The applicants need to prove the existence of their business in and plans for Hong Kong, sponsorship/invitation from Hong Kong parties. The period of stay may be different depending on the circumstances and it is important to apply for this Hong Kong visa long before the business trip.
3. Dependant (Sponsor) Visa
The Dependant Visa is issued to the family of the holder of employment or study visa in Hong Kong. This visa enables the spouses, kids, dependents and any other relatives of the sponsors to relocate to the city. The applicants have to show the connection with the sponsor and have to provide some documents, for instance, marriage certificates or birth certificates. The Dependant Visa allows families to reside in Hong Kong while the sponsor has work or study permit hence it is popular among expatriates.
4. Employment Visa
The Employment Visa is particularly relevant for people who have received a contract of employment from an employer in Hong Kong. It enables those foreigners to legally work in the city in question. In order to do so, the applicant has to show that he or she has the requisite skills and education not already available in the local population. The sponsoring employer also needs to prove the employer’s commitment to hire the applicant through filing of several documents. Employment Visa holders can take advantage of working in one of the fastest-growing financial cities in Asia and at the same time, taste the Hong Kong culture.
5. Student Visa
The Student Visa is the visa for international students, who wants to study in Hong Kong academic programs. This visa enables the students to attend recognized institutions of learning such as universities, colleges among others. The use of requires the student to have an acceptance letter from the intended institution and prove that they have resources to fend for themselves. The Student Visa allows a person to obtain quality education system and at the same time discover the lively culture of the city. However, this visa can also permit working while studying, which also makes this visa quite popular among international students.
Documents for tourist visa
Before applying for a tourist visa for Hong Kong there are several documents that are crucial to the application process. First, you will have to have a passport that is not expired and has at least 6 months validity left. Besides this, a filled and signed visa application form must be provided as well. Other requirements include passport sized photographs that should not be more than six months old. Also, you should present evidence of travel arrangements such as flight tickets, booking of accommodation or other forms of bookings and a schedule of activities to be undertaken in Hong Kong. The ability to show evidence of financial standing is important, and be ready to provide bank statements or letters of sponsorship which would guarantee financial basis for the period of stay. Last but not the least, it is advisable to opt for travel insurance as it may include medical crises during the trip and other contingencies that may occur, making the trip safer.
Visa Application Process
However much it may seem as though the procedure of applying for a Hong Kong visa is complex at first glance, it is relatively easy if the procedures are subdivided. First of all, it is preparation of the required documents according to the type of visa you are going to receive. These are usually a valid passport, visa application form, two recent passport photos, proof of residence such as hotel bookings, and proof of financial capacity such as bank statements, letters of sponsorship among others. Moreover, the schedule that should be developed to plan the trip and personal plan in Hong Kong also matters since it is required to indicate the purpose of the stay.
And once you have all your documents in hand it is possible to submit the application either at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country or you can post your application and documents to the Hong Kong Immigration Department. This is because the cost of the visa varies according to the class of the visa and time taken to process the visa and make sure that you tender the right amount of money as charged by the consular fees for the visa that you want to apply for. Do expect to wait for the results of the processing which normally takes about four to six weeks from the date of submission. You should apply for it way ahead of your desired travel dates so that you encounter no issues, therefore making your visit to Hong Kong a success.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, it is necessary to notice that getting acquainted with the types of Hong Kong visas and the procedure linked with it will contribute to your journey to this rather colourful city. No matter because you are going to a country, for tourism, business, education or to join your family, you should ensure that you have all necessary documents and have done all the above-mentioned steps while applying for the visa. Taking into consideration the fact that Hong Kong is full of life and there is a great number of places and tastes that this city can offer – from the roof tops to the food, having a proper visa in one’s hand will let enjoy every single moment spent there.
You should make sure that you have all the papers you need for the road in order so that you don’t have to worry about them. As it has been outlined in the recent past, touring Hong Kong has not been a big deal since the government has issued free tourist visa to the qualified countries and eased the visa application process. So stand fasten your seat belts and get ready to welcome the thrilling moments which are in store for you and more importantly do not miss a single beautiful moment of this fabulous city where the old meets the new in the most beautifully enthralling manner.
Check out: The Top Reasons for Hong Kong Tourist Visa Rejection and How to Avoid Them
