No Visa-Free Entry to Indians in HongKong

Hong Kong, a China-administered territory which gave Indians unconditional visa-free entry, has introduced “pre-registration” for Indian nationals to prevent illegal immigration.

Under the previous visa agreement, Indian visitors could visit the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for 14 days. However, the region had complained about abuse of the agreement by illegal immigrants from India.

The main reason [for the withdrawal of visa-free travel provision] is overstay by Indians.

Hong Kong’s unilateral decision came a year after its government sent a delegation headed by the Assistant Director of Immigration from the Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Police in December 2015.

Hong Kong does not allow visitors to take up jobs, but the officials had expressed concern that many Indians were doing so.