Live Your Best Lives
  1. Travel FAQs
  2. Asia
  3. China
  4. Hong Kong

Query regarding pre-arrival registration for HK

I am asking on behalf of a relative who would be travelling to HK soon

She has received the PAR for her upcoming HK trip; however, it seems that special characters such as /, *, etc are not allowed in the address in the PAR

Would this be treated as a mismatch when the address on her passport is compared with her address in the PAR and consequently could this create issues with immigration clearance?

Thanks in advance

Cheers!

The Pre-Arrival Registration (PAR) for Hong Kong is designed to facilitate faster immigration clearance. Minor discrepancies in formatting, such as the use of special characters (/ , * , etc.) in the address, are generally not treated as serious mismatches by Hong Kong Immigration, as long as the essential information (e.g., name, passport number, nationality, and intended stay address) matches your passport and travel documents.

Key points to consider:

  • The PAR form may restrict the use of certain special characters in the address field. This is common and does not usually invalidate the registration.
  • Immigration officers primarily verify the identity of the traveler, the passport number, and the general location of stay in Hong Kong. Slight formatting differences in addresses are generally acceptable.
  • It is recommended to enter the address as closely as possible to the format accepted by the PAR system, even if this means omitting or replacing special characters. For example, slashes (/) can be replaced with spaces or hyphens.

Additional advice:

  • Ensure that all other details in the PAR (full name, passport number, travel dates, and nationality) exactly match the passport.
  • Carry a printed or digital copy of the PAR approval and proof of accommodation, in case immigration officers request confirmation.
  • If there is any doubt or concern, contact the Hong Kong Immigration Department directly for clarification before travel.

In summary, omitting or adjusting special characters in the address field of the PAR is unlikely to cause issues with immigration clearance, provided all other details match your relative’s passport and travel documentation.

More Hong Kong Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Mino

Popular Destinations

Auspicious Garden
Zhuolu
Elephant Trunk Hill
Nanji Island

Popular Travel Questions