Nationals of the following APEC economies may enter Hong Kong visa-free for business, social or pleasure visits for a stay ranging from 14 to 90 days.

Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and the United States - 90 days

Indonesia, Peru and Thailand - 30 days

The Philippines and the Russian Federation - 14 days

Nationals of Vietnam always require a visa to visit Hong Kong except those who are in direct transit by air and do not leave the airport transit area.

If a business person wishes to visit Hong Kong but does not enjoy the visa-waiver concession, or if they wish to stay beyond the allowed visa-free period (if applicable) they should obtain a visa before coming. More information on visa requirements and waiver concessions can be found at www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm.

Nationals of about 170 foreign countries and territories may come for business, social or pleasure visits visa-free for a stay ranging from 7 to 180 days provided they:

(a) are bona fide visitors

(b) have adequate funds to cover the duration of their stay without working

(c) hold onward or return tickers (unless in transit to the Mainland of China or Macau) and

(d) have the incentive to return to their home country.

The same criteria also apply to those who need a visa to visit Hong Kong.

Chinese residents of the Mainland of China may visit Hong Kong with Exit-entry Permit and relevant exit endorsement issued by the authorities of Mainland China.  More information on arrangements for entry to Hong Kong for Chinese residents of the Mainland of China can be found at www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_9.htm.

Chinese residents of Chinese Taipei require an entry permit for visit or iPermit to visit Hong Kong.  Nonetheless, holders of Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents may visit Hong Kong and stay for up to 7 days.  More information on these arrangements can be found at www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_7.htm#9.

There is no specific visa for business purposes. Persons wishing to visit Hong Kong for business purposes but not enjoying visa waiver concessions should apply for a visit visa. A person permitted to enter as a visitor may engage in the following business-related activities:

(a) concluding contracts or submitting tenders

(b) examining or supervising the instatllation/packaging of goods or equipment

(c) participating in exhibitions or trade fairs (except selling goods or supplying services to the general public)

(d) settling compensation or other civil proceedings

(e) participating in product orientation

(f) attending short-term seminars or other business meetings.

The ABTC Scheme has been implemented in Hong Kong since May 1998 to enhance the mobility of busines travellers among the APEC economies, thus promoting business within the region.

The ABTC is normally valid for 3 years and good for multiple visitors of 60 days without the need for a visa if pre-clearance has been granted. Cardholders, regardless of whether Hong Kong has granted pre-clearance, may use Hong Kong Residents counters with appropriate signage on arrival and departure at control points. Where pre-clearance has been granted by Hong Kong, cardholders will also enjoy streamlined immigration clearance. Upon immigration examination in Hong Kong, the cardholder should present their ABTC and valid national passport in order to enjoy facilitation.

More information on the ABTC Scheme can be found at www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hktraveldoc_4.htm.

For applicant:

• Completed application form (www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/id1003a.htm)
• Recent photograph affixed to application form
• Photocopy of travel document
• Photocopy of proof of the applicant's financial standing
• Photocopy of proof of transportation arrangements
• Photocopy of proof of the proposed business visit to Hong Kong

For local sponsor:

• Completed application form (www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/id1003b.htm)
• Photocopy of Business Registration Certificate (for sponsor being a company)
• Photocopy of the sponsor's Hong Kong identity card (for sponsor being an individual)
• Photocopy of the sponsor's travel documents (for non-permanent resident of Hong Kong only)

More information on application for entry for visit in Hong Kong can be found at www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/id1004.htm.

For Chinese residents of Chinese Taipei:

• Compleated application form (www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/id78h.htm)
• Copy of identity card issuesd by Chinese Taipei
• Passport-size photograph affixed to application form

Applications for visit visa (other than from Chinese residents of the Mainland of China or Chinese Taipei) should be submitted by post directly or through the local sponsor in Hong Kong to the Hong Kong Immigration Department. Applicants residing in overseas countries or territories may submit their applications to the nearest Chinese diplomatic and consular mission in their place of domicile. Holders of foreign passports who are liviing in the Mainland of China may submit their applications to the Immigration Division of the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing.

Chinese residents of Chinese Taipei may apply through an authorised airline office in Chinese Taipei. Alternatively, they may choose to apply for iPermit by electronic means at an authorised airline office (or its authorised representative) in Chinese Taipei and the result of the application will be made known to the applicant instantly. More information on iPermit can be found at www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/ID(e)955.htm and www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_12.htm.

The validity of single-journey visit visa is normally 3 months and of a multiple-journey visit visa is 6 to 24 months. 

For Chinese residents of Chinese Taipei:

• a single-journey visit permit is valid for 3 months,
• a regular-size (16 page) multiple-journey visit permit is valid for 1 year
• a jumbo-size (32 page) multiple-journey visit permit is valid for 3 years.

A business person having granted permission to land may apply for extension of stay if they need to stay beyond the permitted limit of stay after entry. Application for extension of stay will be assessed on its individual merits and the extended limit of stay shall be determined by the Hong Kong Immigration Department. More information on extension of stay application for visitors can be found at: www.immd.gov.hk?ehtml/faq_es_vnpr.htm#b.

The visa fee, which depends on where the application was submitted, is as follows:

• Chinese diplomatic and consular mission - About US$30 plus administrative costs
• Hong Kong Immigration Department - HK$160
• Immigration Division of the Beijing Office - RMB 170.

As for entry permits for visit issued to Chinese residents of Chinese Taipei:

• HK$160 for a single-journey visit permit
• HK$325 for a regular size multiple-journey visit permit
• HK$650 for a jumbo size multiple-journey visit permit.

If the application is submitted to the Hong Kong Immigration Department direct by post, the fees in the form of a cashier order or a bank draft issued by a bank which has a connected bank in Hong Kong and made payable to The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region should be sent together with the application. If the application is submitted through a local sponsor, payment of fees should be made upon collection of the visa either in cash, by a crossed cheque made payable to The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or by EPS.

If the application is submitted to an overseas Chinese diplomatic and consular mission of the Immigration Division of the Beijing Office, the visa fee should be paid direct to the Chinese diplomatic and consular mission or to the Immigration Division of the Beijing Office.

Family members are permitted to accompany a business person visiting Hong Kong. Whether a family member requires a visa depends on their nationality and the type of travel document held.  More information on visa requirements and waiver concessions can be found at: www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm.