The move aims to streamline immigration procedures for ASEAN visitors who have made significant contributions to Hong Kong’s economic development or are invited to attend major events in the special administrative region of China.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced on March 18 the official implementation of a programme facilitating entry for special visitors from ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The move aims to streamline immigration procedures for ASEAN visitors who have made significant contributions to Hong Kong’s economic development or are invited to attend major events in the special administrative region of China.
Accordingly, the Hong Kong Immigration Department will process applications from these distinguished guests via an electronic platform with relaxed conditions. The usual requirement to review previous visits to Hong Kong will be waived, and procedures will be simplified. Approved applicants will be granted a three-year validity period, with each visit allowing a stay of at least two months. Additionally, they will be eligible to use the city’s automated clearance service.
A spokesperson for the Hong Kong government stressed the region’s long-standing ties with ASEAN, highlighting that ASEAN is Hong Kong’s second-largest trading partner.
In recent years, Hong Kong has introduced a range of visa facilitation measures for ASEAN countries. Notably, in 2023, it relaxed multiple-entry visa requirements for Vietnamese nationals travelling for tourism and business. In 2024, similar adjustments were made for Cambodian, Lao, and Myanmar citizens, with the validity of multiple-entry visas extended from two to three years./.
VNA
