Transit Visa Rules for Nepali Passport Holders via Hong Kong

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March 30,2009

Do Nepalese Passport Holders Need a Transit Visa To Travel via Hong Kong

Hong Kong Transit visas are not required for Nepali passport holders; however, they must submit their passport details to Cathay prior to flight.  They must also hold a green card or a valid visa to the US or Canada during the period of travel via Hong Kong.  Cathay persuaded the Hong Kong government to provide this waiver so it could generate more travelers.

Nepali passport holders must pass on their passport details to Cathay and it will arrange the transit visa for you.  You can pass on this information through your travel agency.

This curbside transit is only allowed for passengers that have connections with Cathay or Dragon in Hong Kong.  If a passenger is flying Cathay, and is connecting with Nepal Airlines or any other carrier other than Cathay or Dragon in Hong Kong, the passenger will need a visa before boarding the flight.

During the transit period in Hong Kong airport, the passenger will be escorted by airline staff from Cathay.

In the past, all Nepali passport holders were required to have a transit visa to fly through Hong Kong.

Information Needed for Passport Details:

  • Name
  • Gender
  • DOB
  • Nationality
  • Passport Number
  • Place of Issue
  • Expiration Date

In case you are denied boarding from a non-Cathay City Airport:

There are daily Cathay flights from LAX, SFO, and JFK to Hong Kong.  If you have a ticket originating from a city other than these, you can have the partner airline  check you to the Cathay Hub.  Then you need to pick up your luggage from the baggage area, and recheck your flight through the Cathay counter.  Note, make sure you give yourself enough time to claim your bags at the aiport and recheck them in the Cathay counter.

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Excerpt from Official Cathay Memo

Dear Sir/Madam: Please be advised that Hong Kong Immigration Department has announced the extension of the Airside Transit Without Visa arrangement to Nationals of Nepal provided that they are flying with CX and KA with connections in HKIA starting from the date Dragonair begins the services between Hong Kong and Kathmandu on 02 December 2007.     The transit requirements for the Nepalese are similar to that of Bangladeshis, Pakistanis and Sri Lankans.  Nepalese must hold valid visa or proof of residency of USA, the maximum transit time should be within 12 hours and the arrival passengers will be accompanied by airline staff throughout the transit period at Hong Kong International Airport. For further details, click here http://www.cxagentsusa.com/GeneralInformation/subdefault.asp?SectionID=9 On behalf of Cathay Pacific Airways, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support. Sincerely, Lisa R. Manning

Manager, Revenue Management Unit

Important update: Aug 8, 2008.

If you are staying on an expired visa or don’t have permanent residency, you may not be allowed to board a flight though Hong Kong.  Note, the transit visa clearly states that Nepalese must be holding a valid visa or proof of residency. (We have highlighted this section in green in the official memo for Cathay).  You can still travel via Hong Kong but you must make advance clearance through Cathay’s customer service.