Hong Kong e-Visa 2026: apply, pay and verify online
In 2026, applications for a Hong Kong entry visa or extension of stay result in an e-Visa: you submit the application, pay the fee and collect the result through the Immigration Department's online services or the "HK Immigration Department" mobile application, and the e-Visa carries a QR code that can be scanned to confirm it is genuine. As of the October 2026 version of the Immigration Department's Performance Pledge page, the Department has issued e-Visas for entry visa and extension of stay applications since late 2021, and the QR code it carries is generated by the Department's own encryption key.
What is a Hong Kong e-Visa in 2026?
An e-Visa is the electronic form of a Hong Kong entry visa or extension of stay.
The Department began issuing e-Visas for applications for entry visas and extension of stay in late 2021, according to its Performance Pledge page.
The e-Visa carries the same personal data that used to appear on the physical visa label, plus a QR code added for anti-forgery purposes.
That is the practical change for anyone used to a sticker in a passport: there is no label to collect or affix, and the document you hold is a file.
How do you apply and pay for one?
The Department states that applicants may complete the whole process of application submission, payment and visa collection through online services or the "HK Immigration Department" mobile application.
The mobile application covers a wide range of immigration services, including application services, appointment booking, form filling, submission of supplementary documents and information, and payment of fees, as well as e-Visa enquiry and downloading.
For payment, the Department lists these options for online services:
- PPS
- FPS
- Credit cards
- Mainland e-wallets added in late September 2024: Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay App
Two related electronic services appear on the same page. The "e-ME" form filling function of "iAM Smart" is included in all applicable electronic services, so you do not have to re-enter personal information when applying online for visas, extension of stay or HKSAR passports. The "I-RemindU" service, introduced in January 2023, sends registered members of the public prompt reminders through "iAM Smart" when their HKSAR passport or the limit of stay granted under their visa or entry permit is about to expire.
How long does processing take?
The Department publishes processing targets, not guarantees. The current targets on its Performance Pledge page, measured upon receipt of all necessary documents, are:
| Service type | Target |
|---|---|
| Entry visas and permits for visit | 100% of applications finalised within 4 weeks |
| Entry visas and permits for employment | 90% of applications finalised within 4 weeks |
| Entry visas under the Working Holiday Scheme | 100% of applications finalised within 2 weeks |
| Other entry visas and permits | 90% of applications finalised within 6 weeks |
| HKSAR Travel Pass | 100% of applications finalised within 3 weeks |
| HKSAR Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode | 95% of applications finalised within 3 months (this standard does not apply to applications involving doubtful claims on parent/child relationship or doubtful information) |
The Department qualifies these figures directly: the standards may not be achievable during certain daily peak hours or peak periods, or in complicated cases. It also defines working days as Monday to Friday excluding general holidays.
How do you download it?
Use the "HK Immigration Department" mobile application.
Open its e-Visa enquiry function.
Download the e-Visa there.
Save the file where you can reach it at a border counter.
The same application can also be used to enquire about application status, so the download and the status check sit in the same place.
How does the QR code make forgery harder?
The QR code on an e-Visa is not a copy of the printed details.
The Department states that it is generated by its encryption key, specifically to prevent law-breakers from forging e-Visas issued by the Department.
Authentication works through the mobile application: a quick scan of the QR code verifies the e-Visa and displays the information contained in it.
This means verification rests on the QR code rather than on how the document looks. A party that needs to be satisfied the document is genuine can scan the code and see what the Department issued, rather than judging a PDF by eye.
What does verification look like in practice?
The Department frames the scan as something done when necessary, by whoever needs to authenticate the e-Visa and view the information inside it.
For frequent cross-border travel, the useful habit is to treat the file as the document: keep it available on the device you travel with, and expect it to be read by a scan rather than inspected visually.
Because the QR code is the anti-forgery element, a version of the file with the code cropped, covered or degraded has lost the part that makes it checkable.
What to keep in mind before you rely on any of this
The electronic process removes the office visit: the Department notes that the e-Visa service allows applicants to go through the formalities without visiting its offices, which reduces crowd gathering and protects public health.
That convenience does not change the substance of the decision. The published targets are aims, and the page warns they may not be met in peak periods or complicated cases. The information here is general reference material about how the system works and is not personalised advice on any individual case; for your own circumstances, rely on the Department's current published information and, where the stakes justify it, a qualified professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there still a paper visa label for Hong Kong in 2026?
The Department has issued e-Visas for entry visa and extension of stay applications since late 2021, and an e-Visa carries the personal data that appears on the visa label plus a QR code added for anti-forgery purposes. The Performance Pledge page does not describe any remaining paper-label step for these applications.
Do I have to visit an Immigration Department office?
No. The Department states that applicants can complete application submission, payment and visa collection through online services or the "HK Immigration Department" mobile application, so the formalities can be handled without visiting its offices.
Can I pay the fee with a Mainland e-wallet?
Yes. Since late September 2024, the Department's enhanced electronic payment services accept Mainland e-wallets, specifically Alipay, WeChat Pay and UnionPay App, in addition to PPS, FPS and credit cards.
How does someone check that my e-Visa is genuine?
They scan the e-Visa's QR code through the mobile application. The Department states the QR code is generated by its encryption key, and scanning it authenticates the e-Visa and displays the information it contains.
Is the four-week processing target a promise?
No, it is a target. The Department states that 100% of entry visa and permit applications for visit are targeted for completion within four weeks, and warns that its standards may not be achievable during peak hours or peak periods or in complicated cases.
Does the mobile application do anything besides downloading the e-Visa?
Yes. It provides application services, appointment booking, form filling, submission of supplementary documents and information, payment of fees, and e-Visa enquiry and downloading, plus enquiries on application status and tag status.
Will I be warned before my stay limit expires?
Only if you register for it. The "I-RemindU" service, introduced in January 2023, reminds registered members of the public through "iAM Smart" when their HKSAR passport or the limit of stay granted under their visa or entry permit is about to expire.