Transit Visa for HKG - for a Sri Lankan passport

Question

Hi,

Similar Q, on the thread, to travel to South Korea from CMB via CX. I am supposed to transit in HKG and as per the CX exemption I went ahead and booked my ticket, however, upon inquiry from HK Immigration, a Transit Visa is required (even if my transit is less than 12hrs, having a valid VISA for Korea (Rep.) and flying CX-CX.

Kind of in a pickle as to whether i should apply for transit visa for HK or cancel CX and fly via China Eastern,

Not sure if anyone faced this dilemma.

Thank you.

Answer

For Sri Lankan passport holders transiting through Hong Kong, the rules are stricter than for some other nationalities. Even if your transit is less than 12 hours, Hong Kong Immigration requires a transit visa in certain cases, including when connecting to flights on the same airline (Cathay Pacific) and entering the transit area from certain origins. Holding a valid visa for the final destination (South Korea) does not automatically exempt you from needing a Hong Kong transit visa.

Your options include:

Apply for a Hong Kong transit visa in advance. This would allow you to remain in the transit area or even enter Hong Kong during the short layover. Processing time can vary, so check with the Hong Kong Immigration Department for requirements and expected processing duration.
Change your routing to avoid the need for a Hong Kong transit visa. For example, flying via China Eastern through a mainland Chinese airport may have different transit rules, but you would need to verify whether China requires a transit visa for Sri Lankan passport holders. Some mainland airports allow 24- or 144-hour visa-free transit depending on the city.
Consider booking flights with airlines and connections that do not require passing through Hong Kong immigration, such as a direct flight with a stopover that does not involve leaving the international transit area or choosing airlines with partner airports where visa-free transit is permitted.

Important notes:

Hong Kong’s transit visa rules are strictly enforced; attempting to transit without the correct visa can result in denial of boarding or entry.
Always confirm with both the airline and the Hong Kong Immigration Department before making changes or finalizing bookings.
Even short layovers that require passing through immigration control necessitate a visa if your nationality is not exempt.

In summary, for a Sri Lankan passport holder transiting via Hong Kong to South Korea on Cathay Pacific, you likely need to apply for a Hong Kong transit visa unless your routing avoids immigration control. Alternatively, changing airlines or transit airports may provide a visa-free option, but this requires careful verification.

Transit Visa for HKG - for a Sri Lankan passport

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