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Layover at Hong Kong, do i need transit visa?

I'll be travelling from Delhi to Tokyo. With a 7 hours layover involved at hong kong. I don't want to visit Hong Kong. Will I still need a transit visa/ PAR? I am travelling via Cathay Pacific. I hold an Indian passport.

I went through forums but couldn't find proper answer, hence creating a separate thread.

If you are holding an Indian passport and have a 7-hour layover in Hong Kong while traveling from Delhi to Tokyo on Cathay Pacific, you generally do not need a Hong Kong transit visa as long as you remain in the airport’s restricted transit area and do not pass through immigration.

Key points to note:

  • You can stay airside (inside the transit area) at Hong Kong International Airport without passing through immigration. Most international airports, including HKIA, allow this for connecting flights within the same terminal or via an airside transfer.
  • If your onward flight is from the same terminal and your luggage is checked through to Tokyo, there is no need to enter Hong Kong formally.
  • If, however, you plan to leave the airport to visit Hong Kong, you would need a Hong Kong visa or use the Pre-arrival Registration (PAR) facility if eligible. Indian passport holders can apply for the PAR to enter Hong Kong for short stays up to 14 days.

Additional tips:

  • Confirm at check-in in Delhi that your luggage is checked through to Tokyo to avoid having to clear customs or immigration in Hong Kong.
  • Allow sufficient time for security checks and boarding procedures; 7 hours is typically ample for a layover.
  • Follow airport signage for “Transit” or ask airline staff if unsure, to remain in the airside area and avoid unnecessary entry into Hong Kong territory.

In summary, for a 7-hour layover without leaving the airport, you do not need a transit visa or PAR. You only need to consider it if you plan to enter Hong Kong during your layover.

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