Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Applications may be made in person before or within seven days from expiry of the limit of stay. Foreign (i.e. non-Mainland) visitors may make the applications to the Extension Section or any Immigration Branch Offices (except Hong Kong Island Travel Documents Issuing Office). Mainland visitors should only make the applications to the Extension Section on 5/F, Immigration Tower. Applications will be considered on its own merits.

Please bring along :

1. your travel document;
2. evidence to support the need to prolong the stay in Hong Kong e.g. onward/return tickets; evidence showing adequate fund etc; and
3. completed form ID91.

Applications will normally be finalised on the same day.

Applications may be made to the Extension Section or any Immigration Branch Offices (except Hong Kong Island Travel Documents Issuing Office) within four weeks before the expiry of your limit of stay.

Depending on your current status, you are required to bring the following documents :

1. applicant's travel documents;
2. applicant's Hong Kong identity card;
3. completed form ID91; and
4. 1. for extension of employment or training status:
      current employment letter stating the applicant's position and remuneration;
   2. for extension of student status:
      letter of continued studies from the school;
   3. for extension of dependant status:
      sponsor's travel document or Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card, form ID481A and form ID481B (applicable to dependent spouse only).

Please click here for more details on applications for extension of stay on student status.

Routine applications will normally be finalised within 2 to 3 weeks upon receipt of all necessary documents.

In general, applications require the applicant to submit the application and to collect the visa. If the applicant is unable to attend in person, he may authorise in writing a representative to bring along the supporting documents to submit the application. However, the applicant must be in Hong Kong at the time of application and collection of visa.

Yes. If your current limit of stay has expired or is going to expire on the date of your departure, you are required to obtain an interim extension of stay in advance.

Applications may be made in person or by an authorized person before the expiry of the limit of stay to the Extension Section on 5/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Depending on your current status, you are required to bring the following documents:

1. Applicant's valid travel documents;
2. Applicant's Hong Kong identity card;
3. Completed form ID91 with a reason for request for an interim extension of stay;
4. A letter from your sponsor/employer/school supporting your application for interim extension of stay or an ID481 issued by Extension Section showing that the required supporting document from your sponsor/employer/school has been received on the date of submission of your application for extension of stay.

Applications for interim extension of stay will normally be finalized on the same day upon receipt of all necessary documents and fee of extension of stay.

Please see Re-entry into Hong Kong .

Please see Changes in Immigration Control on British Citizens.

After the issue of visa, if there is any change regarding your sponsorship, you or your company should inform us of the termination by post or by fax to (852) 2586 1431 as soon as possible. Overseas employees are not allowed to change employment or take up part time job without the permission of the Immigration Department. Those who have breached their condition of stay will be liable to prosecution.

Please see FAQs - Immigration Policy on Study.

Any visitor or Hong Kong resident (except permanent identity card holder) who has renewed his/her passport/travel document is advised to apply for a transfer of endorsement so that his/her valid status in Hong Kong is indicated in the new passport/travel document. Before such has been done, he/she who wishes to travel is advised to present both the old and the new passports/travel documents for departure and arrival immigration clearance at the Hong Kong immigration control points.

Depending on your current status, application may be made to appropriate section as below:

It depends on the reasons for making such a transfer. You are required to bring the following documents as necessary :

1. applicant's new travel document¹；
2. applicant's old travel document, if applicable;
3. completed application form ID405 (for children under 11 years of age who apply for transfer of 'Eligibility for Hong Kong permanent identity card verified' endorsement or 'Having the right to land in Hong Kong' endorsement, the application form should be completed and signed by a parent or legal guardian); and
4. 1. applicants with travel documents of different nationality
      proofs of acquisition of the new nationality (original and copy).
   2. applicants born in Hong Kong with birth certificate and form ID235B issued by the Births Registry
      1. applicant's birth certificate (original and copy);
      2. applicant's travel document (original and copy);
      3. copy of sponsor's (father/mother) travel document;
      4. copy of parents' marriage certificate; and
      5. form ID235B.
   3. applicants who lost travel document
      are required to produce loss memo from the Police.

For applicants applying for extension of stay at the same time, they are required to bring the following documents:

1. for extension of employment or training status:
   current employment letter stating the applicant's position and remuneration.
2. for extension of student status:
   letter of continued studies from the school.
3. for extension of dependant status:
   sponsor's travel document or Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card, form ID481A ; and form ID481B (applicable to dependent spouse only).
4. for extension of stay for People's Republic of China passport holders and stateless persons admitted under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme:
   Proof of applicant's valid permanent resident status in a foreign country.