PAR: Hong Kong Visa Myths Busted

Hong Kong, the Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), is increasingly becoming one of the most sought-after international holiday destinations for Indian tourists. This has something to do with its vibrant culture, iconic skyline, notable tourist attractions and natural flair. If you are planning on visiting Hong Kong for your next international vacation, you need to know about Pre-Arrival Registration or PAR. On this page, we will discuss PAR for Hong Kong in detail and clear some misconceptions around it.

What is PAR?

Hong Kong can be one of the most accessible tourist destinations for Indian tourists if you know what you are doing at the time of acquiring a visa. Just like most foreign countries, you need to have a valid visa to enter Hong Kong for tourism. This is where PAR comes into play. The Pre-Arrival Registration, or PAR, is not a visa but actually a registration system that enables visa-free entry to individuals for short stays. PAR allows Indian passport holders to visit the Hong Kong SAR (HKSAR) for a short stay that doesn’t exceed the duration of 14 days. This makes entry into Hong Kong for the purpose of tourism a hassle-free experience.

Typically, you can experience most of Hong Kong’s key tourism experiences and sites in under a week. For this, having access to PAR, which enables a stay not exceeding 14 days, can be a godsend. This eliminates the requirement of long-stay visas, which can have a lengthy process to acquire. Besides being time-saving and cost-effective, PAR for Hong Kong has another major upside. It is valid for six months and can be used for multiple visits.

How to complete the PAR for Hong Kong?

If you want to apply for and complete the Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR) for your Hong Kong trip, you need to simply follow the necessary steps as mentioned by the Immigration Department under the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. Here is a general step-by-step walkthrough;

• Visit the designated official GovHK website to register for the PAR.
• Make sure to truthfully provide the correct information required for the PAR Hong Kong.
• Once you are done inputting the necessary details for the PAR, the system will process it automatically.
• Following submission of the registration, the result will be made known to you, i.e., the registrant, instantly.
• If your registration is successful, you need to print the notification slip for PAR for Indian nationals on a blank A4 white paper, ensure all the details are correct and then sign it.

Note

Be careful when doing the Pre-Arrival Registration for Hong Kong, as you need to provide the information exactly the same as it appears on your passport.

Popular myths about PAR – Busted

On paper, the topic of PAR for Hong Kong sounds very simple and convenient; in reality, it is the same thing. However, there are many travellers who have tons of misconceptions around this subject. So, here are some common myths that travellers have regarding Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR) alongside their truth;

PAR is a visa

Many think that a PAR is actually a type of visa for Hong Kong. Well, it is not. A PAR is a special online registration system for Indian nationals seeking to enter Hong Kong for tourism for up to 14 days. In simple terms, it is a registration process that allows visa-free entry for short visits to Hong Kong. It makes Hong Kong more accessible in terms of international tourism.

PAR allows you to visit China

No. The Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR) is only applicable for short stays in Hong Kong and doesn’t apply anywhere else. This means, having a valid PAR doesn’t allow entry into the mainland of China. If you want to enter China for the purpose of tourism, you will need to apply for a Chinese tourist visa. This is because the immigration rules and criteria of Hong Kong are different from China and don’t apply interchangeably.

If denied, you can’t reapply for PAR

This is not true. In the event your Pre-Arrival Registration is denied/rejected, you can reapply for it. You can do so offline by visiting the Hong Kong Immigration Department. The offline procedure for Hong Kong PAR is a bit lengthy and can take up to 4 weeks to complete. So, make sure to get your PAR completed well in advance, ideally 10-12 weeks prior to the intended travel. Also, if PAR cannot be completed, you would need to apply for an entry visa from the Immigration Department.

PAR is costly

Completing the PAR for your Hong Kong visit is not costly at all. In reality, PAR is not only convenient but also free of charge. You can easily get it done online from the official portal in just a few minutes. However, if you seek the services of third-party websites to get your Hong Kong Pre-Arrival Registration done, they may charge a fee. So, it is better that you learn about PAR for the Hong Kong visit and complete it by yourself.

PAR is for one-time use only

No, it is not. Once you get the Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR) complete for your Hong Kong visit, it will have a validity of six months. During those six months, the PAR can be used for multiple visits to Hong Kong. However, each of these trips with multiple visits under PAR has to be for up to a maximum of 14 days only.

PAR ensures entry into Hong Kong

Well, it doesn’t. Once you complete the PAR for your Hong Kong visit, successful registrants will get the PAR notification slip that they can print out, sign and use during their visit. However, the issuance of the notification slip doesn’t guarantee that you will be able to enter the HKSAR. A lot of other factors also come into play in this regard. You, like every other registrant, will be subject to various other entrance criteria as per the Immigration Ordinance of Hong Kong. Before an entry may be granted, one must fulfil requirements like hold proper travel documents (such as passport of their home country), raise no security concerns, have no probability of becoming a burden on Hong Kong SAR, have sufficient funds for the visit, have a bona fide reason for visit, etc.

PAR is the only document needed to enter Hong Kong

No. While you need a valid PAR to enter Hong Kong for tourism for stays not exceeding 14 days, you also require other papers/documents alongside it, such as a valid passport, confirmed onward or return tickets, confirmed hotel booking, proof of adequate financial means, proof of bonafide purpose of visit, etc.

Tips for Pre-Arrival Registration for Hong Kong

To enhance your chances of getting your PAR approved, follow these handy tips;

Apply in advance

The online process of PAR for Hong Kong is very fast and should be completed within a few minutes. However, in case your PAR gets rejected, and you may have to get it done offline, which can take longer. So, it is best to get it done well before the visit, ideally 6 months before or at least 10-12 weeks prior to the intended time of travel.

Be careful during the fill-up

When getting your PAR for Hong Kong complete online, make sure to be extra careful when providing and checking your information. Everything must be exactly the same as your passport. Even minor spelling mistakes can be the reason behind the rejection of your PAR application.

Print and sign

Upon successful PAR, you will get the notification slip. Make sure to download and print it out for the visit. Ensure all details on the notification slip are correct, and after that, sign it.

Conclusion

The Pre-Arrival Registration or PAR makes it easier for Indian nationals to get entry into Hong Kong for the purpose of tourism. It stays valid for six months and allows multiple entries, with each entry being limited to up to 14 days. It is fast, convenient and should do just fine for most Indian travellers planning to visit Hong Kong for tourism.

FAQs

Can Indians apply for Pre-Arrival Registration for Hong Kong?

Yes. Indian nationals who hold a passport that is valid for at least six months and plan to visit/transit Hong Kong SAR for a stay duration not exceeding 14 days can apply for a PAR.

Is PAR necessary if I’m transiting the HKSAR?

No. You don’t need a PAR if you are in direct transit by air and will not need to leave the airport transit area. However, you need a PAR if you seek to enter the HKSAR during your transit.

Does PAR have a restriction based on age?

No. The PAR for Hong Kong entry doesn’t have any restrictions based on age.

Does the PAR for Hong Kong cost money?

No. PAR for Hong Kong is free of charge and doesn’t cost any money. However, if you get it done via third-party channels, you may have to pay them a fee for the service.

How many times can I enter Hong Kong SAR with a valid PAR?

A PAR has a validity of six months. During this validity period, it allows multiple entries, where each entry is limited to a stay of a maximum of 14 days.