India raises issue of new visa rules with Hong Kong

NEWDELHI: The ministry of external affairs has taken up with Hong Kong the issue of an additional layer of security measure in the form of a pre-arrival registration for granting visas to Indian travellers, which has caught many visitors unawares.

Hong Kong is a major destination for Indians, with over 4 lakh people travelling to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) last year. Many of them are tourists and businessmen. Until recently, the immigration regulation of HKSAR required Indian nationals who wanted to stay in Hong Kong for a period exceeding 14 days to obtain visa.

It also allowed Indian nationals who wanted to visit Hong Kong for less than 14 days for tourism and such purposes free visa on arrival facility.

But from January 23, 2017, Hong Kong authorities introduced an additional layer of scrutiny for such Indian nationals who wish to avail the visawho free entry for less than 14 days’ stay.

This additional layer of scrutiny is mandatory pre-arrival registration. Indian nationals successfully complete online pre-arrival registration can enter Hong Kong and obtain visa on arrival now. Others are required to obtain prior visas before arriving in Hong Kong.

Indian passport holders with minimum validity of six months can pre-register online for the security clearance. And this prearrival registration is valid for six months. Those holding valid diplomatic or official passport and those who have enrolled as frequent visitors are exempted from this pre-registration.

India has already conveyed to Hong Kong authorities that “in view of expanding people-to-people and business ties, it is important that visa and immigration system help such exchanges and not create additional hurdles”.

Through diplomatic channels, India has also pointed out that India has liberalised visa system for HKSAR passport holders through online visa facility.

“The additional hurdle has been creating issues for Indian travellers, which has been properly conveyed to authorities,” explained an official.

HONG KONG IS A MAJOR DESTINATION FOR INDIANS, WITH OVER 4 LAKH TRAVELLING TO HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (HKSAR) LAST YEAR