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

From Canada do I need a transit visa?

I’m a Canadian flying from Vancouver to Brisbane via Hong Kong. My layover is 5.5 hours. I thought I read that I didn’t need a visa. Now trying to check in for my flight it says visa information is missing. Does anyone know if I actually need a tourist/transit visa if I’m not leaving the airport? Please help!

For Canadian citizens transiting through Hong Kong with a short layover, the general rule is that you do not need a transit visa if you remain airside (inside the airport) and do not pass through immigration. Hong Kong allows Canadians to transit without a visa as long as they are staying in the airport transit area for a connecting flight.

Here are some key points to consider:

  • Your layover is 5.5 hours, which is sufficient for a standard international connection, provided you don’t plan to leave the airport.
  • You should ensure that your luggage is checked through to your final destination (Brisbane) so you do not need to collect it in Hong Kong, which would require passing through immigration.
  • During check-in, some airlines may request visa information for their own compliance rules. If your itinerary is entirely airside, you can usually confirm with the airline that no visa is needed.

If you were planning to leave the airport for sightseeing or to enter Hong Kong formally, you would need to comply with the standard visitor entry requirements. For Canadian passport holders, this generally allows visa-free entry for short stays up to 90 days.

Recommendations:

  • At check-in, show the airline staff your onward ticket and clarify that you are remaining airside; most airlines will mark your booking as not requiring a Hong Kong visa.
  • Double-check that your connecting gate and terminal are within the same airport area to avoid needing to go through immigration.
  • Keep your travel documents and boarding passes handy, as transit staff may request them during airport security or gate checks.

In summary, for a 5.5-hour layover in Hong Kong without leaving the airport, you do not need a transit or tourist visa. The “visa information missing” message is likely a system prompt that can be clarified with the airline before departure.

More Hong Kong Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Vancouver
Brisbane

Popular Destinations

Linchang Reef
Cangshan Zhonghe Cableway
Daming Mountain
Aiwan Pavilion

Popular Travel Questions