IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Hong Kong’s Immigration Department plans to increase fees for visas, entry permits, APEC travel cards, travel documents, genetic tests, delivery charges outside of Hong Kong, and other services.

What does the change mean? The increases will range from 9 to 21 percent depending on the service.

  • Implementation time frame: March 25.
  • Visas/permits affected: Visas and entry permits, travel documents and other immigration-related services.
  • Business impact: The Immigration Department said that the increases will have little impact on business activities.
  • Next steps: The proposed fee hikes will be presented to the Legislative Council on Jan. 23.

Background: Some of the proposed fee changes are listed below. A full list is available here.

Description Current fee (HK$) New fee (HK$)
Ordinary visa

(includes Employment Visa, Dependent Visa, Training Visa and others)

 190 230
APEC travel card (valid up to 5 years) 490 540
Single entry permit (typically for Taiwanese passport holders) 190 230
Multiple entry permit (1 year) (typically for Taiwanese passport holders) 390 470
Multiple entry permit (3 years) (typically for Taiwanese passport holders) 780 935
Extension or change of stay 190 230
Visa endorsement 200 240

Analysis & Comments: The fees are intended to recoup costs, as a recent government review found that some of the current immigration-related fees are not covering the full cost of providing the service. Hong Kong employers and foreign nationals should budget for the increased fees expected in March.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.