Hong Kong makes pre-arrival registration mandatory for Indian travellers

The Hong Kong Immigration Department has made pre-arrival registration mandatory for Indian travellers. Indian nationals travelling to Hong Kong will need to complete a pre-arrival registration process online before they board their flight.

"Indian nationals must apply for and successfully complete pre-arrival registration online before they can visit or transit the HKSAR visa-free (if seeking to enter the HKSAR during transit). Pre-arrival registration is not required for Indian nationals in direct transit by air and not leaving the airport transit area," the Hong Kong Immigration Department said on its website.

An Indian national can make use of the online service to apply for pre-arrival registration free of charge if he/she:


Upon successful registration, travelers will receive a computer-generated notification slip. This slip must be printed on A4-sized paper and presented at the airline’s check-in counter. The details on the notification slip must match the traveler’s passport information exactly. Failure to present this document may result in denied boarding.

"When applying for pre-arrival registration, the registrant must truthfully enter the correct information. The information the registrant provides in the pre-arrival registration needs to be exactly the same as it appears in his/her passport and he/she must use the same passport that is linked to it when visiting the HKSAR," Honk Kong immigration department has warned travellers.

Failure to do so will render his/her pre-arrival registration invalid. An invalid pre-arrival registration will lead to refusal of the registrant’s boarding of a conveyance (a ship, aircraft, vehicle or any other means whatsoever of travel or transport) bound for the HKSAR and refusal of entry to the HKSAR upon arrival, it added.

Indian passport holders typically require a visa to enter Hong Kong for tourism, business, or family visits. Visa requirements may vary depending on the purpose and duration of the stay. However, some Indian passport holders with certain types of valid visas, such as a BNO (British National Overseas) passport or a US visa, may be eligible for Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR) instead of a visa. PAR allows short visits to Hong Kong for tourism or business purposes.

Are all Indian nationals required to apply for PAR?

Certain categories of Indian nationals are exempt from the PAR requirement:

• Holders of valid Indian diplomatic or official passports.
• Holders of United Nations Laissez Passer visiting or transiting HKSAR for official United Nations business.
• Individuals enrolled in the e-Channel service for Frequent Visitors.
• Holders of valid HKSAR Travel Pass.
• Individuals with valid entry visas for HKSAR.
• Operating aircrew or sea crew members, or contract seamen.

What if you plan to visit/transit HKSAR for more than 14 days or for a purpose other than visit/transit?

Indian nationals intending to visit/transit HKSAR for more than 14 days or for purposes other than visit/transit (e.g., employment, study, or residency) must apply for an appropriate visa from the Immigration Department of HKSAR following the existing procedures.

Is there an age restriction for PAR?

No, there is no age restriction for applying for PAR. All Indian nationals planning to visit HKSAR, regardless of age, must apply for PAR.