Hong Kong’s Immigration Department has announced that, from 15 November 2025, Nepalese passport-holders will no longer need a visa when transiting air-side through Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), provided they remain within the restricted transit area and depart on the next onward flight. The change was published in an official government press release at noon on 14 November and is framed as a Belt-and-Road connectivity measure designed to strengthen Hong Kong’s role as an international aviation hub.
The practical gain is immediate: Nepalese travellers—many of whom route to North America, Australia and East Asia via HKIA—will save both time and the HK $230 visa fee. Airline partners, particularly Cathay Pacific and Nepal Airlines, are already promoting same-day through-fares that make use of the simplified transfer. Nepalese labour brokers who place seafarers and domestic workers in global jobs say the arrangement reduces friction for crew changes conducted at HKIA.
![Hong Kong grants visa-free airport transit to Nepalese nationals]()
For corporates, the benefit is two-fold. First, multinational companies with operations in Kathmandu and Pokhara can now schedule short-notice technical visits through Hong Kong without the administrative lead-time previously required for transit visas. Second, the policy underscores Hong Kong’s strategy of targeted liberalisation—something mobility managers should watch as other Belt-and-Road countries may receive similar concessions.
It is important to note that the waiver applies strictly to air-side transit. Nepalese nationals entering Hong Kong, even for meetings, still require the usual visit visa. Employers should therefore brief travellers to remain in-transit and ensure boarding passes for onward flights are issued at origin to avoid inadvertent entry into Hong Kong.
The Immigration Department has not indicated any cap or review date, but officials said the impact on border security is ‘minimal’ because passengers stay within a sterile zone where standard screening and carrier-liability rules already apply.
The practical gain is immediate: Nepalese travellers—many of whom route to North America, Australia and East Asia via HKIA—will save both time and the HK $230 visa fee. Airline partners, particularly Cathay Pacific and Nepal Airlines, are already promoting same-day through-fares that make use of the simplified transfer. Nepalese labour brokers who place seafarers and domestic workers in global jobs say the arrangement reduces friction for crew changes conducted at HKIA.
For corporates, the benefit is two-fold. First, multinational companies with operations in Kathmandu and Pokhara can now schedule short-notice technical visits through Hong Kong without the administrative lead-time previously required for transit visas. Second, the policy underscores Hong Kong’s strategy of targeted liberalisation—something mobility managers should watch as other Belt-and-Road countries may receive similar concessions.
It is important to note that the waiver applies strictly to air-side transit. Nepalese nationals entering Hong Kong, even for meetings, still require the usual visit visa. Employers should therefore brief travellers to remain in-transit and ensure boarding passes for onward flights are issued at origin to avoid inadvertent entry into Hong Kong.
The Immigration Department has not indicated any cap or review date, but officials said the impact on border security is ‘minimal’ because passengers stay within a sterile zone where standard screening and carrier-liability rules already apply.
