Monday, December 17, 2018

Leena on PAR/Visa for HongKong/Macau for Indians





Recently many Indians are facing a problem to get Hong Kong Visa or to get Pre-Arrival Registration(PAR) form. Just imagine your flight is in a week s' time and your PAR gets rejected, all flights and hotels booked, what do you do????😕


This is really a problem as  all your money invested for the trip may gone in vain! I have been in this situation myself and have a real good solution for this big fat problem.😇



Please apply for PAR/Visa at least 2 months (60 days) before your journey date . One should not apply PAR just a week before journey just like I did. PAR is applicable only if one's journey is less than 14 days. So one should first apply for PAR 2 months advance so that in case it gets Unsuccessful then there should be ample time to apply for normal Visa. 


If you are an Indian national intending to visit the HKSAR for a stay exceeding 14 days or intending to come to the HKSAR for a purpose other than visit (e.g. employment, study, or take up residence in the HKSAR), you must apply to the Immigration Department for an appropriate visa.

To apply for PAR please look into the below link and apply for the same:

In case there is any problem while applying for PAR or PAR gets rejected, one can mail to ind_par@immd.gov.hk in Hong Kong embassy department.
How to fill Application Form

Step 1>

 

 Step 2>

 

 Step 3>

 

 Step 4>

 

 Step 5>


Step 6>

 

 In the fund choose the maximum one.

 Click "Continue and Confirm"
 



 

Click Confirm:

This will take to the final page.
Unfortunately like many others I got the message" PAR Unsuccessful".
 


Well let me say, there is actually nothing to panic. As I said everyone should apply for PAR at least 2 months before their departure. So if this is unsuccessful then there is a procedure to apply for Hong Kong Visa that takes a span of around 4-6 weeks.

Apply For Hong Kong Visa For Indians
Visa applications from Indian nationals should be submitted to the HKSAR Immigration Department direct . As an alternative, you may also submit your visa or entry permit application to the HKSAR Immigration Department either directly by post or through a local sponsor. To shorten the processing time, application forms and supporting documents can be sent by fax to (852) 2824 1133 in the first instance. However, the original copy of the duly completed application form and the photographs required should be sent immediately to the HKSAR Immigration Department by air mail. A visa/entry permit will be issued only on receipt of an original, properly completed visa/entry permit application form.

 https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/visit_transit.html 

 For more details concerning the application forms and documents to be submitted, please refer to the website
he

 Either ID1003A or ID1003B should be downloaded as per the requirement.

ID 1003A Application for Entry for Visit/Transit in Hong Kong (to be completed by the applicant)
ID 1003B

Application for Entry for Visit/Transit (Sponsor) in Hong Kong (to be completed by the Sponsor

The documents above should be dispatched to the below address:

Receipt and Despatch Unit,
Hong Kong Immigration Department,
2/F, Immigration Tower,
7 Gloucester Road,
Wan Chai, Hong Kong 

If the application is submitted to the Hong Kong Immigration Department through a local sponsor, payment of fees should be made upon collection of the visa/entry permit either in cash, by EPS or by cheque. The cheque should be crossed, made payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region", properly dated and signed.

Besides, if the application is submitted to the Hong Kong Immigration Department direct by post, the fees in the form of a cashier order or a bank draft in Hong Kong currency in the amount of HK$190 should be sent together with the application.  The cashier order or bank draft should be issued by a bank which has a connected bank in Hong Kong and made payable to “The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”.  No cash should be sent with the application.  

Now lets talk about PLAN B - MACAU !!

 

Say just like me you don't have time to apply for Visa and your PAR is rejected. Then what to do??

Again I must say no need to panic. As we know that most hotels these days are on free cancellation so yes we have to cancel the hotel bookings as we can not land to Hong Kong without Visa. But we can travel to the beautiful territory of Macau and that too using same flights 🙏



Let me explain you guys few things. Macau is an independent territory and Visa for Macau is free for Indians. Go through the below link for the same:


 Now there is a way to travel to Macau from Hong Kong Airport before immigration.


On the same day of flight from India to Hong Kong,  from Hong Kong International Airport Transfer Area E2 one can reach the ferry ticketing counter where he/she will directly take the Skypier to Macau bypassing the immigration area.


If we refer to the immigration site of Hong Kong it is clearly mentioned:


With effect from 23 January 2017, Indian nationals shall apply for and successfully complete pre-arrival registration (PAR) online before they can continue to enjoy visa-free visit or transit (except in direct transit by air and remaining at the airport transit area) to Hong Kong for a stay up to 14 days. Pre-arrival registration is not required for Indian nationals in direct transit and not leaving the airport transit area.


So from airport transit area I took the Transfer E2 exit (before immigration) to take the ferry that takes me directly to Macau.
  • Please look into Hong Kong International Airport  website:
https://www.hongkongairport.com/en/transport/mainland-connection/ferry-transfer.page

 Passengers looking to take a ferry to the PRD or Macao should proceed to the ferry ticketing counter at Transfer Area E2. DO NOT go through immigration and reclaim your baggage. Passengers who have gone through immigration procedures CANNOT return to the ferry ticketing counter and use the ferry service. Arrive at the Ferries to Mainland / Macao Ticketing Counter located at Transfer Area E2 at least 60 minutes before the scheduled ferry departure time for ticketing and transfer procedures. For passengers without checked baggage, 30 minutes would be sufficient.

  • To book ferry please go to the below website and book tickets:

In Hong Kong people were kind, no one at all harassed me. I went through trip advisors and many other travel forums where people have shared their experiences about immigrating to Macau from Hong Kong International Airport. But I had an all together different experience which I must say is good. 😃 I had few Hong Kong Dollars and carried International Debit and Credit cards with up-down flight tickets, hotel bookings and ferry tickets( up-down from Macau Outer Harbor to Hong Kong Intl. Airport). No one asked me to show anything, instead they were polite and asked me whether I needed any help as I was traveling all by myself. On reaching Macau there were many Casino free shuttle bus that will take to your destination.

To know more about Macau please have a look into my other posts on Macau. 



https://bongdebleenadiaries.blogspot.com/2018/12/day-3-macau.html

 So overall I was able to land in Macau with my same flight and I explored this beautiful island and it's history and culture.


I believe there will be challenges but plan B is always there if not then Plan C, so there is nothing to worry about. Keep smiling and hope for the best :)


"Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors" - Leena

 

 

 

Posted by at 12 comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)