Transit Hong Kong

Question

Going to transit in HK. 1 day only , no hotel stay, just at airport. Arrived 10pm , next connecting flight is 2pm next day . But I need to claim luggage and check in again. Do I need to fill arrival card or apply anything online before I reach HK ? Malaysian. Thanks

Answer

Since you are a Malaysian passport holder transiting in Hong Kong for less than one day and will need to claim your luggage and check in again for your next flight, you will technically be entering Hong Kong through immigration. This means you will go through normal arrival procedures even though you will not be leaving the airport overnight.

Malaysian citizens are visa-free for short visits to Hong Kong for up to 90 days, so you do not need to apply for a visa or any online pre-arrival authorization before your flight. You can simply enter Hong Kong as a visitor.

However, because you need to collect your checked luggage and re-check it the next day, you will have to pass through Hong Kong Immigration and Customs. Once you enter, you can either stay in the transit area or in the public arrivals area, and then return to the departure hall in the morning for your next flight check-in.

Arrival Card: You no longer need to fill in a paper arrival card for Hong Kong if entering through the airport. Since 2023, the Hong Kong Immigration Department has fully digitized the arrival process, and visitors are only required to present their passport and boarding pass for entry. Immigration officers may ask a few routine questions.
Online Pre-registration: No online pre-registration or arrival declaration is needed for Malaysian nationals who are entering Hong Kong visa-free.
Overnight Stay in Airport: Although you will not book a hotel, note that the airport’s transit and public zones have limited overnight facilities. If you have already passed through immigration to claim your luggage, you may have to remain in the public area until check-in reopens for your next flight. There are 24-hour cafes and seating areas available.

If your luggage is checked through to your final destination and you do not need to claim it, you can remain in the airside (transit) area without entering Hong Kong. In that case, no immigration process is required. However, since you mentioned needing to claim your luggage, immigration clearance is unavoidable.

To summarize, as a Malaysian citizen transiting through Hong Kong with an overnight layover:

You do not need a visa.
You do not need to fill out an arrival card or apply online in advance.
You will need to go through immigration to collect and re-check your luggage.
You can re-enter the departure area the next morning once check-in for your next flight opens.

It’s a straightforward process and very common among transit passengers at Hong Kong International Airport. Just make sure to have your onward flight details ready when passing through immigration, as officers may ask for confirmation of your connecting flight.

Transit Hong Kong

More Hong Kong Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions