The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong SAR quietly delivered an early New Year gift to travellers on 30 December, confirming that its pandemic-era reduction in visa fees for travel to mainland China will remain in place for another 12 months, through 31 December 2026. The extension applies to applications lodged at the Hong Kong Chinese Visa Application Service Centre and covers both regular and express processing. For many nationalities, a single-entry visa will continue to cost as little as HK $230, while citizens of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and several Pacific and African nations will see fees waived entirely.
The decision reflects Beijing’s ongoing push to reboot international people-to-people exchanges and support Hong Kong’s role as a "super-connector" to the mainland. Since border restrictions were lifted in early 2024, the city has re-emerged as the fastest location for multinational executives to obtain China business visas; the fee extension cements that advantage at a time when Shanghai and Beijing consulates have reinstated pre-pandemic tariffs.
For travellers seeking an extra layer of convenience, VisaHQ’s Hong Kong platform (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) can manage the entire application process—from appointment scheduling to document review—helping both individuals and corporate mobility teams avoid clerical errors and last-minute rushes while taking full advantage of the extended fee discounts.
![China’s Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong extends discounted China-visa fees until end-2026]()
Corporate mobility teams stand to benefit directly: a six-month multiple-entry M-visa for frequent business travellers remains capped at HK $460—almost 40 % below the pre-2020 rate—while urgent (same-day) processing stays discounted at HK $310. For a regional sales manager making ten round-trips a year, that represents savings of roughly HK $1,800, excluding agency charges.
Operationally, the fee schedule retains its tiered structure, so employers should still budget carefully for staff of different nationalities. Clients from the United States, for example, pay HK $1,100 for a single-entry visa whereas Brazilian citizens enjoy an HK $830 rate. The commissioner’s office has published a comprehensive spreadsheet that mobility coordinators can import into their cost-projection tools.
Practically, companies should continue to remind travellers that the fee discount does not alter documentary requirements—invitation letters and proof of accommodation remain mandatory for most visa categories. Given heavy seasonal demand, booking biometric appointments two weeks in advance is advisable, especially for groups. The commissioner’s office has also urged applicants to consolidate trips to avoid last-minute congestion in Wan Chai.
The decision reflects Beijing’s ongoing push to reboot international people-to-people exchanges and support Hong Kong’s role as a "super-connector" to the mainland. Since border restrictions were lifted in early 2024, the city has re-emerged as the fastest location for multinational executives to obtain China business visas; the fee extension cements that advantage at a time when Shanghai and Beijing consulates have reinstated pre-pandemic tariffs.
For travellers seeking an extra layer of convenience, VisaHQ’s Hong Kong platform (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) can manage the entire application process—from appointment scheduling to document review—helping both individuals and corporate mobility teams avoid clerical errors and last-minute rushes while taking full advantage of the extended fee discounts.
Corporate mobility teams stand to benefit directly: a six-month multiple-entry M-visa for frequent business travellers remains capped at HK $460—almost 40 % below the pre-2020 rate—while urgent (same-day) processing stays discounted at HK $310. For a regional sales manager making ten round-trips a year, that represents savings of roughly HK $1,800, excluding agency charges.
Operationally, the fee schedule retains its tiered structure, so employers should still budget carefully for staff of different nationalities. Clients from the United States, for example, pay HK $1,100 for a single-entry visa whereas Brazilian citizens enjoy an HK $830 rate. The commissioner’s office has published a comprehensive spreadsheet that mobility coordinators can import into their cost-projection tools.
Practically, companies should continue to remind travellers that the fee discount does not alter documentary requirements—invitation letters and proof of accommodation remain mandatory for most visa categories. Given heavy seasonal demand, booking biometric appointments two weeks in advance is advisable, especially for groups. The commissioner’s office has also urged applicants to consolidate trips to avoid last-minute congestion in Wan Chai.
