UK Visa for Hong Kong Citizens

The United Kingdom is well-renowned for its historical landscapes and green scenery. Travellers visiting the UK will have a great time exploring the landscape or the seashores. Before arriving in the UK travellers are required to have an entry permit or UK visa according to their eligibility and nationality. The UK has various categories of UK visas and traveller’s eligibility to apply for it also differs. Traveller’s nationality is a major factor that determines the type of UK visa or travel permit they are eligible to apply for.

Hong Kong citizens visiting the United Kingdom are mandated to get Online UK Visa (Electronic Travel Authorization) for their UK trip. The Online UK Visa is an electronic entry permit for the United Kingdom, not a visa.

Online UK Visa for Hong Kong Citizens

The UK government introduced the ETA to enhance border security protection and offer a seamless entry process for travellers. Getting a Online UK Visa is mandatory only for citizens of countries. As mentioned above, nationals of China (Hong Kong SAR) will require a Online UK Visa from January 2025. The Online UK Visa allows Hong Kong citizens to travel to the UK for the below reasons.

• Short-term academic course
• Any permitted paid engagements
• Business
• Creative Worker Visa Concession (stay up to 90 days)
• Transit purposes
• Tourism
• Visiting friends or family members

The Online UK Visa benefits travellers in various ways. The initiative made the UK entry permit acquiring process simpler. Hong Kong citizens travelling to the UK for the above-listed reasons must get a Online UK Visa before their arrival.

Online UK Visa Requirements for Hong Kong Citizens

The requirements for Online UK Visa are different from those for other UK visa categories. Adhering to the requirements is crucial. Hong Kong citizens applying for Online UK Visa should make sure to check the eligibility according to the travel date and purpose. It is important to note that Online UK Visa is designed to permit only short stays in the United Kingdom, but it offers multiple entries. Hong Kong citizens must be aware that they are allowed to visit, stay or explore the country for six months. If using multiple visits then travellers can stay up to six months (which is 180 days) each time they enter the United Kingdom.

The Online UK Visa application is open to Hong Kong citizens and travellers can apply for it online. If Hong Kong citizen's trip requirements do not suit the Online UK Visa requirements, they must check the other UK visas or travel permits to continue their UK trip.

Documents Needed by Hong Kong citizens to Apply for Online UK Visa

Hong Kong citizens must submit all the necessary documents when applying for Online UK Visa. Submitting the documents is an important process because they determine the outcome of the traveller’s application. All eligible Hong Kong citizens checking the requirements to apply for Online UK Visa must have the following documents.

• Valid and original passport (it must have two blank pages and travellers are not allowed to submit their passport photocopy or digital passport)
• Email ID
• Digital photo of the applicant
• A debit card or credit card

The documentation process for Online UK Visa is easier than traditional or other UK visas. Once the documents are ready make sure to check their validity.

How to Apply for a Online UK Visa?

An advantage of Online UK Visa is that it is designed to provide a convenient and simplified application process for travellers. Hong Kong citizens can get their Online UK Visa by submitting an online application form. The convenient part of the application process is that travellers can complete it online within a few minutes. Applicants who are ready to apply for Online UK Visa must know the steps below.

Verifying the Online UK Visa Requirements

All the travellers must verify the Online UK Visa requirements which include the stay duration, documents required, validity and entry option to ensure every requirement aligns with the UK trip. Overlooking the requirements might lead to last-minute issues. Check the need for additional documents, if any are required, gather the document first and then start the Online UK Visa application process.

Online UK Visa Website

Visit the Online UK Visa portal and get to the Online UK Visa application form online. Start filling out the Online UK Visa application form and complete it. Enter the passport information and personal details correctly. The Online UK Visa application form also has security-related questions which travellers must answer correctly and honestly. Submitting an incomplete application form will delay the application process.

Documents Upload

The Online UK Visa process involves minimal documents. Travellers are advised to have scanned copies of their passports and their photos (digital colour photos). High quality photos taken from phone are also acceptable. The passport-sized photo of the applicant must be recently taken, and the acceptable types are PNG, JPG or PDF. Make sure the photo has a plain and light-coloured or white background. Upload the documents and check their clarity.

Review and Make Payment

Check the Online UK Visa application form and submit it. Proceed to the fee payment process. Use online payment methods or debit or credit cards. Arrange sufficient funds by verifying the Online UK Visa fee structure. It also helps to avoid unsuccessful payments because of insufficient funds. The Online UK Visa fee is standard for everybody who applies to Online UK Visa (including kids and infants).

ETA Approval Confirmation

Travellers will receive a Online UK Visa application confirmation message. After the approval travellers can receive their Online UK Visa via their email ID provided while filling out the Online UK Visa application form.

Hong Kong citizens travelling with their family and kids should have a separate Online UK Visa for each family member. The requirement also applies to friends or group travel, each member must have a Online UK Visa to enter and stay in the United Kingdom. Travellers can submit a Online UK Visa application form on behalf of their family members (including kids or infants) or friends, but the processing time might vary for each application.

What is the Online UK Visa Processing Time for Hong Kong Citizens?

Online UK Visa is said to offer a quick processing time, which is usually three days (72 hours). Mostly, the Online UK Visa application outcome will be processed within the timeframe but there can also be delays. The Online UK Visa application processing time might take a little longer during the holiday or peak tourist seasons. Other reasons that delay the Online UK Visa application process include mismatching information, incomplete application forms, additional verification, etc. Calculating the processing time, travellers must apply three days before their travel date. It helps manage the delays (if any) without stress.

Online UK Visa Validity for Hong Kong Citizens

From the approval or issuance date, the validity of the Online UK Visa extends for up to 2 years. The validity of Online UK Visa is linked to the traveller’s passport. When the traveller's passport expires within the Online UK Visa's validity, the Online UK Visa will no longer be valid. In such cases, travellers are mandated to get a new Online UK Visa. Obtaining a new Online UK Visa is mandatory under the following conditions.

• If the passport expires before their Online UK Visa validity
• Getting a new passport
• Changing information on the passport (like citizenship, name, etc.)

Do all Hong Kong Citizens Require a Online UK Visa for their UK Trip?

As per the Online UK Visa requirement, travellers are exempted from getting a Online UK Visa if they have a valid and appropriate UK visa or permit. A few other Online UK Visa requirement exemptions include the following list.

• British or Irish passport holders or citizens
• Ireland nationals travelling to the UK from Isle of Man, Guernsey, Ireland or Jersey
• Travellers who have proper permits or valid UK visas to reside, study or work in the United Kingdom
• British Overseas Territories Citizen

How to Check Online UK Visa Application Status?

Checking the Online UK Visa application status online is an easy task. Click on the “Check Online UK Visa Application Status” tab after visiting the website. Enter the Online UK Visa application reference number. There will be an additional entry field for entering the date of birth and passport details of the applicant. After submitting the details travellers can track their Online UK Visa application status.

How to Deal with Online UK Visa Application Rejection or Denial?

Dealing with Online UK Visa application denial might be a concerning situation for many travellers. Rejection of Online UK Visa implies that the applicant is not eligible to get a Online UK Visa, they can still enter the United Kingdom by obtaining a valid UK visa. Travellers must take steps to address the rejection issue. Before choosing to apply for other UK visas, read the Online UK Visa application rejection letter and work on addressing the issue.

Online UK Visa Restricted Activities

The Online UK Visa also has restrictions and travellers must comply with them. Working (including self-employment in any UK company or organization) or studying (for more than 6 months) in the United Kingdom is not allowed under the Online UK Visa. Travellers are allowed to stay only for six months, overstaying will cause legal issues. Utilizing the multiple visits of Online UK Visa is not an issue, but residing or living in the UK through multiple entries is restricted. During their stay in the UK, travellers cannot get married or claim any benefits or public funds. Engaging in restricted activities leads to legal action and denial of entry.

Can Hong Kong Citizens Extend their Online UK Visa?

Online UK Visa is a short-term entry permit, so it cannot be extended or renewed. If the current Online UK Visa expires, travellers must apply for a Online UK Visa again before entering the United Kingdom. Travellers must check the validity each time they plan to re-enter the UK with their Online UK Visa.

READ MORE:
The Frequently Asked Questions about Online UK Visa helps travellers to understand the travel requirements and the important details of Online UK Visa.

Tourist Activities in the UK for Hong Kong Citizens

• Come up with your own conspiracy theories at Stonehenge
• Go for a curry in Birmingham’s Balti Triangle
• Spot seals at Blakeney Point in Norfolk
• Play the ‘Game of Thrones’ in Northern Ireland
• Get house-envy in the Cotswolds
• Soak up the vibes on Tyneside
• Find the new footlights at the ADC
• Immerse yourself in greenery at the Botanic Gardens
• Unearth vintage treasures along Mill Road
• Cross the mathematical bridge
• See the collections at the Ashmolean Museum

Hong Kong Embassy in London, United Kingdom

Please apply for a UK visa application 72 hours before your flight to UK.