Immigration Department Rolls Out E-visa

Foreign domestic helpers and exchange students are among those who will be able to submit their visa applications online starting next Tuesday, as the Immigration Department rolls out a new electronic payment system.

Under the new system, applicants will be able to apply for e-visas via the Immigration Department’s website or mobile app, without having to visit its office.

The department said the new digital document will replace traditional sticker labels for visas for extension of stay, entry visas for foreign domestic helpers, visas for non-local graduates and for visas issued under the admission scheme for the second generation of Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents.

Assistant principal immigration officer Hui Yat-ling said the new system will be more convenient for visa applicants.

"The new services not only save the time required for traditional means of application submission and visa collection, but also reinforce the anti-epidemic measures to maintain social distance as well as promoting paperless," she said.

The Immigration Department said people can still choose to submit applications in person, and the application fee remains unchanged.