Hong Kong (HK)

Valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay. Bring the original plus 3 certified copies. Required for HKID registration, bank account opening, and all government applications. Some nationalities require a valid visa on arrival.

The primary identity document in Hong Kong. Mandatory for all residents aged 11 or over who stay 180+ days. Must be applied for at any Immigration Department office within 30 days of establishing ordinary residence. Serves as ID for all daily, banking, and government purposes.

Required for registering children for school, claiming Child Allowance (HK$130,000/year per child), and family visa applications. Hong Kong SAR has its own legal system; China's Hague Apostille Convention accession (November 2023) may not yet fully extend to HK SAR. Foreign birth certificates should be notarised and authenticated in the country of origin; consult the HK Immigration Department for the current accepted authentication method for your country. Documents not in English or Chinese require certified translation.

Required for dependant visa applications, family reunion, updating marital status for Married Person's Allowance (HK$264,000/year) and joint bank accounts. Authentication requirements for foreign marriage certificates: consult HK Immigration Department as China's Hague accession may not yet extend to HK SAR. Documents not in English or Chinese require certified translation.

Degree certificates, transcripts, and professional certifications. Required for Employment Visa, QMAS, TTPS applications and for regulated profession registration. Some professions require HKCAAVQ assessment or equivalent local council recognition.

Required for Employment Visa sponsorship. Must state role, salary, duration, and employer details. The employer (sponsor) submits the visa application on your behalf to the Immigration Department.

Tenancy agreement, property deed or letter from host. Required for HKID registration and most visa applications. For rental: the stamp duty paid tenancy agreement (stamped by Inland Revenue Department) is preferred.

Required for Employment Visa, QMAS and TTPS applications as proof of financial means. Also useful when opening a bank account locally (some banks request home country statements to establish financial history).

Your MPF account statements from your current and previous employers. Required when transferring MPF on changing jobs, claiming MPF on permanent departure from Hong Kong, and for tax filing (MPF contributions are tax-deductible up to HK$18,000/year).

Vaccination certificates, chronic condition records, and prescription history. Important for registering with a private GP, enrolling children in local schools (vaccination records required), and for insurance applications (pre-existing condition disclosure).

ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate, rabies vaccination certificate and antibody titre test, veterinary health certificate, import licence from AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department). Hong Kong requires quarantine for most pets (4 months for cats and dogs from most countries; shorter from approved places like Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland).

Your home country driving licence. Valid in HK for 12 months without exchange for tourists/new residents. After 12 months of ordinary residence, you must apply for a Hong Kong Driving Licence from the Transport Department. Some nationalities can exchange without a test; others require a written and/or practical test.

Required for Employment Visa, QMAS (Quality Migrant Admission Scheme) and TTPS (Top Talent Pass Scheme) applications. Must be recent (issued within 6 months). HK SAR's coverage under China's Hague accession (November 2023) is not yet confirmed; consult HK Immigration Department for current authentication requirements for your country of origin. Translate into English or Chinese if the original is in another language.