[angiebaby80]

one of my friends is flying from london via hong kong and i was just wondering if he needs a visa just to get out of the airport to come and see me for the day or two??

cheers in advance!

[KnowItAll]

What nationality?

Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival.

http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm

[angiebaby80]

nationality-nepalese

ta for the url!

[KnowItAll]

Needs a visa unfortunately.

"^ All nationals (except holders of Diplomatic and Official passports) are required to hold a valid visa for the HKSAR for whatever purpose (including those who are in transit and remain on the airside)."

[angiebaby80]

awww shite...hassle..

[bano1]

Visa is only a stamp in the passport isn't it?, they just do it at the gate?

[PDLM]

Er, no. bano1 you obviously have never known people who have the misfortune to have lesser accepted passports than Australian ones.

And by the way even you would need a visa in advance to go to various countries (like mainland China, India, Vietnam and others)

[aiseduk]

Is HK visa required even when the traveller is in transit and does not move out of the trasit area?

aiseduk

[PDLM]

If you read the link a few posts above you will see that it depends on the passport held. Normally the answer is no, but for certain nationalites you need one even for an airside transit. You can see those nationalities at the link: http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas_4.htm (basically a load of African countries, Iraq, Nepal, Pakistan & Sri Lanka)