[tangy13]

My In-laws are planning to visit hkg...they both are Indian passport holders..i know that under the immigration law Indian passport holders can stay visa-free in hk for upto 15 days...but incase we want them to stay for 2 months...can they do so?..do they have to apply for an extension of stay...do they apply for it from india or when they arrive in hkg?...what is the procedure? costs? requirements etc? would appreciate if anyone could provide me with the info.
thanks

When they are in Hong Kong for their 14 days, they can apply for a prolonged visitors visa, but they need a good reason why they should stay in Hong Kong longer than the 14 days.

For example someone planning to get married with another person, and let say the woman is a visitor and the man is on an employment visa.

[scr]

Even before your in-laws arrive in HK you can apply for a visitors visa for upto 3 months. Have done it a no. of times for my in-laws as well as my own parents. It is pretty straightforward..you fill out the form from the immigration dept..and hand in documents they ask for. The sponsor meaning your husband may or may not have to go for an interview. But the process takes 4-6 weeks. Have got it done in 3 weeks too though. So if there is time for application you better do it now. I think it's lesser hassle than bringing them over on the 14 day visa and then applying for extension..unless you plan to visit Shenzen/Macau in which case you will get a further 14 days.

[scr]

Some more info...you have to pay for the visa when they give it to you..cost is about 135$ or so per visa. They give you a sticker and you will have to send it your in-laws to put in their passports before they arrive in HK.

Documents required include proof of relationship, sponsor's employment letter, proof of financial status.

These are things I can remember right now..it's been 2 years since I went through this procedure. Hope it helps.
Cheers

[tangy13]

thanks SCR & EMIGRA for all the info...what reasons can they give for an extension? coz they can only say they want to spend more time with their children...my hubby is working here in hkg...so he will be sponsoring them...is that reason good enough?

[tangy13]

will the birth certificate suffice as proof of relationship?bank statements as proof of finance?

[scr]

Yes, birth certificate should suffice as proof of relationship..do make sure that the spelling of names on the certificate match names on the passport. Bank statements are fine too. In the form they do mention examples of documents that you can submit. As for reason for extension the reason you stated is reason enough. In my experience the immigration officials are not too bothered by visiting parents staying for 3 months.
They are lenient when it comes to that. I guess they will give a hard time only to people who they suspect are coming here for jobs and may overstay. My friend's parents visited every year and stayed 3 months each time for the past 8 years. Really shouldn't be a problem. Pick up a vistor's visa application form from the immigration dept...tell the officer it is for visiting parents and he will give you the right forms such as A,B,C,D to fill out. You could also try visiting the website..I think they do have information.

[tangy13]

thanks so much scr you have been so helpful...well im off to india will be back around august so see u then! cheers!

[scr]

You are most welcome. I also remembered that one of those forms have to be signed by your in-laws. So as you are going to India it would be a good idea to have the forms with you beforehand and go through it once. And you can get the forms signed on your trip to India.

Have a good trip

[tangy13]

your a life-saver!! thanks again!