The Hong Kong eVisa replaces traditional visa labels with a digital PDF Notification Slip.

Who can apply? Any traveller under visit, study, employment, training, or dependant visa schemes processed directly through the Immigration Department.

Processing time: Typically between 4 to 6 weeks.

Costs: Varies depending on Visa types.

How to apply: 100% online, with flexible save/resume, mobile payment, and re-download options.

Ports of entry: e-Visa holders can use all 13 official control points.

Apply for your Hong Kong e-Visa with 190evisa!

Planning a trip to vibrant Hong Kong? The Hong Kong eVisa is your digital gateway, fast, paper-free, and hassle-free. With entry permits now delivered electronically as PDF notification slips, you can skip the sticker-type visa and breeze through the process.

This article unpacks everything modern travellers need to know: what a Hong Kong e-Visa is, who can apply, the requirements, processing times, costs across visa types, how to apply, and which ports of entry accept the e-Visa. By the end of the piece, you'll be confidently ready to apply, and hit the ground running in Hong Kong’s dynamic streets and skyline.

What is a Hong Kong e-Visa?

*Hong Kong eVisa sample (Source: Internet)*

Since 28 December 2021, the Immigration Department (ImmD) of Hong Kong has transitioned to issuing electronic visas, known as “e-Visas”, in PDF format. These documents, officially termed “Notification Slips for Entry Visa/Permit” or “Notification Slips for Conditions of Stay,” have effectively replaced physical, sticker-type visa labels. The shift means that upon approval of your visa or permit application (and payment of any applicable fees), you’ll receive a downloadable e-Visa instead of a physical sticker in your passport.

Key features

Instant access: Once approved and after completing payment (if required), you can instantly download or print your e-Visa from the GovHK website or the ImmD Mobile App.
Flexible storage: You can keep the e-Visa as a soft copy on your phone or print it on standard A4 paper for presentation upon arrival.
Secure and verifiable: Each e-Visa includes an encrypted QR code that immigration officers in Hong Kong can scan for verification. You or anyone authorized, like an employer, can also verify the eVisa via the ImmD Mobile App or GovHK by importing the PDF or entering its details.

Who can apply for a Hong Kong e-Visa?

The Hong Kong eVisa is available to anyone applying for specific entry permissions, including entry visas, extensions of stay, or changes of immigration status, as long as the application is handled by the Immigration Department.

Since 28 December 2021, the ImmD has phased out sticker-type visa labels and now issues only the electronic format. It is known as the Notification Slip for Entry Visa/Permit or Notification Slip for Conditions of Stay, in PDF form upon approval and payment.

This means anyone applying online, whether under visit, employment, study, training, or residency schemes (excluding those applications processed at Chinese consulates or certain overseas Hong Kong offices), is issued an e-Visa when approved.

Hong Kong e-Visa Requirements

Applying for a Hong Kong eVisa means meeting certain official requirements, outlined below, so you can travel confidently and avoid unexpected surprises:

1. Valid travel document

You must hold a valid passport or travel document. Nationals of around 170 countries enjoy visa-free access for short stays, but if not exempt, you'll need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling.

2. Completed online application form

Apply via the GovHK portal, the Immigration Department website, or the ImmD Mobile App, filling in details accurately to avoid delays.

3. Supporting documents

For visit or transit e-Visa: proof of financial means (e.g., bank statements), travel or transit itinerary, employment or invitation letters, proof of relationship to a local sponsor (if applicable), and other supporting documents.
Other e-Visa types may require additional evidence tailored to your purpose (e.g., work, study, investment).

4. Online payment of fees

After your application is approved, pay the e-Visa issuance fee online using credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, JCB), PPS, FPS, or mainland Chinese digital wallets like Alipay or WeChat Pay.

5. Download or print your e-Visa

Once payment is complete, download or print the PDF notification slip for your e-Visa. Keep a digital copy on your phone and/or a printed copy on A4 paper for easy access when arriving in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong e-Visa processing time

Understanding how long it takes to receive your Hong Kong eVisa is vital for smart travel planning. Processing times can vary based on the type of visa you're applying for:

Visit/Transit applications

Typically, a visit or transit e-Visa takes about four weeks to process once all required documents are submitted. The Immigration Department clearly states that it “normally takes four weeks” after complete documentation is received.

Study Visas

If you're applying for a student visa, expect a slightly longer processing period, around six weeks once everything is in order.

Dependent Visas

Those applying as a dependant on another visa should similarly allow approximately six weeks, pending full documentation and fee payment.

Employment & training

General Employment Policy (GEP) entries for professionals entering Hong Kong are usually processed within four weeks.
Training visas also follow the four-week timeline following receipt of complete information and documents.

Hong Kong e-Visa cost based on types

Navigating the fees for a Hong Kong eVisa can feel a bit intricate, but here’s a clear breakdown to help you casually budget for your travel:

Specified schemes

As of 26 February 2025, a new two-tiered fee structure applies to visa applications under the Specified schemes, covering employment, study, investment, quality migrants, and their dependants:

Fee Type	Validity Period	Fee (HKD)
Application Fee	-	600
Visa Issuance Fee	≤ 180 days	600
Visa Issuance Fee	> 180 days	1,300

Visit/Transit or Short-Term Visitor Visas

The Immigration Department's official pages do not list explicit fees for visit or transit e-Visa applications. However, other reliable sources and travelers' experiences suggest a tourist visa fee of HKD 230.

Note: Fees are non-refundable under any circumstances.

How to apply for a Hong Kong e-Visa

If you're planning your journey to Hong Kong, the Hong Kong eVisa offers a streamlined, end-to-end digital application experience via the GovHK platform, the ImmD website, or the ImmD Mobile App. Here's how to navigate it like a savvy traveler:

1. Start your application online

Begin by selecting the appropriate visa category, such as visit, employment, study, training, or dependants, on GovHK, ImmD, or the mobile app. You’ll fill out an electronic form that captures your travel plans, identity details, and the purpose of your visit.

2. Upload required documents

You'll be prompted to upload essential files like your passport, photo, proof of funds, travel itinerary, invitation letters, or sponsor-related documents. The platform supports JPEG, PDF, GIF, PNG, or TIF formats, each with a maximum size of 5 MB.

3. Save and resume flexibly

Pressed for time? No problem. The system allows you to save your partial application and return later to complete it at your convenience.

4. Submit and pay the application fee (if applicable)

Once your application and documents are in place, submit them electronically. For specified schemes (e.g., employment, study, quality migrant), an application fee is required.

5. Receive notification and pay issuance fee

After approval, you’ll receive a notification with a link to pay the issuance fee online via mobile payment systems like FPS, Alipay, WeChat Pay, or traditional credit cards.

6. Download or print your e-Visa

After payment, you can download or print your e-Visa (Notification Slip) immediately. It can be reprinted or downloaded anytime via GovHK or the ImmD Mobile App.

7. Verify via QR code (optional)

Your e-Visa includes an encrypted QR code readable only using the ImmD Mobile App, perfect for quick validation by immigration officers or sponsors.

Hong Kong e-Visa ports of entry for e-Visa holders

If you’re holding a Hong Kong eVisa, you're cleared to enter through any of Hong Kong’s official Immigration Department-managed control points, whether arriving by air, train, land, or sea.

The Immigration Department operates 13 official control points, comprising airports, train terminals, land border crossings, and ferry terminals. These are your designated entry gates into the city:

Hong Kong International Airport (Chek Lap Kok) – Your main aerial gateway.

West Kowloon railway station – Ideal for those arriving via high-speed rail (e.g., Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link).

Land border crossings – Key checkpoints like:

Lo Wu (Luohu),
Lok Ma Chau,
Lok Ma Chau Spur Line,
Man Kam To,
Sha Tau Kok,
Shenzhen Bay,
Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge (HZMB), and
Heung Yuen Wai.

Sea access points:

Hong Kong–Macau Ferry Terminal,
China Ferry Terminal, and
Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.

Conclusion

The Hong Kong eVisa has redefined how travellers enter Asia’s World City. By replacing the traditional sticker-type visa with a digital notification slip, Hong Kong has made the process faster, safer, and more convenient. Whether you’re a student beginning your studies, a professional relocating for work, or a tourist planning a short stay, the e-Visa ensures your entry is smooth and stress-free.

For travellers, this digital shift represents not only convenience but also a step towards a future-ready travel experience. By adopting an e-Visa system, Hong Kong aligns with other global hubs that prioritize efficiency and traveler comfort.

So, if Hong Kong is your next destination, take advantage of the e-Visa system and apply well in advance. It’s your key to unlocking the city’s bustling energy, world-class dining, and rich cultural fusion, without the stress of traditional paperwork.

We’d love to hear from you!

Have you applied for a Hong Kong eVisa before? What was your experience like? Smooth and simple, or did you face unexpected challenges? Share your story so fellow travellers can learn from your journey.

If you found this guide helpful, please consider sharing it on social media with friends or family planning a trip to Hong Kong, as it might save them hours of research!

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