Hong Kong welcomes Thai visitors with one of Asia’s most straightforward entry arrangements.1 As a Thai passport holder, you can enter Hong Kong without any visa application, pre-registration, or advance paperwork. Simply arrive with your passport and required documents, clear immigration, and enjoy up to 30 days in the city.

Entry Process

Entering Hong Kong as a Thai tourist is simple and typically takes just minutes:

1. Before departure from Thailand
   Ensure your passport is valid for at least 1 month beyond your planned departure from Hong Kong.1 Book your return flight or onward travel, and have proof of funds available.

2. At the airport or border crossing
   Present your Thai passport to the immigration officer. You may be asked about your purpose of visit, accommodation, and travel plans. Answer questions directly and honestly.

3. Immigration clearance
   If all requirements are met, the officer will stamp your passport with a visitor’s landing slip permitting stay up to 30 days.1 Processing is immediate.

4. e-Channel registration (optional)
   If you travel to Hong Kong frequently, consider registering for the e-Channel service. Thai passport holders who have visited Hong Kong at least once in the past year can enroll for automated immigration clearance on future visits.4

Fees

There are no government fees for Thai citizens entering Hong Kong under the visa-free arrangement.1 The 30-day tourist stay is completely free of charge.

What You Need to Prove

Hong Kong immigration officers have discretion to refuse entry even to visa-free visitors if they are not satisfied the visitor is genuine.1 To ensure smooth entry:

Adequate funds: You must have sufficient money to cover your accommodation, food, transportation, and activities throughout your stay without needing to work.1 Carry credit cards, cash, or be ready to show bank statements if asked.

Onward or return travel: Unless you are transiting to mainland China or Macau, you must have a confirmed ticket to leave Hong Kong.1 Immigration may ask to see this booking.

Genuine visitor intent: You must be visiting for legitimate purposes: tourism, shopping, visiting friends or relatives, short business meetings, or transit. You cannot take up employment, study, or establish any business.1

Clean immigration history: Previous overstays, illegal work, or immigration violations in Hong Kong can result in entry refusal. If you have a complicated history, apply for a visa in advance rather than relying on visa-free entry.

Processing Times

Entry processing at Hong Kong immigration is immediate.1 Most travelers clear immigration in under 10 minutes. During peak travel seasons or at busy control points, queues may be longer, but the actual document check takes only moments.

After You Arrive

Your landing slip (or e-Channel record) will show:

• Permission to remain: As a visitor for 30 days
• Conditions: No employment, no business establishment, no study

During your stay: Keep your passport and landing slip safe. You may be asked to produce them when checking into hotels or for certain services. Do not work, even volunteer or unpaid positions. Do not enroll in any educational courses.1

Before your 30 days expire: You must leave Hong Kong before the permitted stay ends. Overstaying is a criminal offense that can result in arrest, prosecution, and future entry bans.2

Re-entry: You can enter Hong Kong again after departing. However, repeatedly entering for short stays and immediately leaving and re-entering (“visa runs”) may trigger scrutiny, as immigration may suspect you are attempting to live or work in Hong Kong without proper authorization.

If You Are Refused Entry

Entry refusal for Thai citizens is rare, with Hong Kong admitting over 99.9% of all visitors.5 In the first five months of 2025, Hong Kong denied entry to 12,452 visitors out of nearly 20 million, roughly 0.06% of arrivals.5 However, refusal can happen if immigration has concerns.

Reasons for refusal may include: Suspected intent to work illegally, insufficient funds, no return ticket, questionable documents, previous immigration violations, or inconsistent answers to questions.5

If refused entry: You will typically be held at the control point and returned on the next available flight to your origin. Entry refusal does not create a permanent ban, but will be recorded and may affect future visits.

To avoid refusal: Carry all supporting documents, answer questions honestly, have a clear itinerary, and avoid any activities that might suggest you intend to work or overstay.

If you anticipate issues: If you have a complicated immigration history or unusual circumstances, consider applying for a visa through the Hong Kong Immigration Department before traveling rather than relying on visa-free entry.3