Do Hong Kong passport holders need a visa for the United States?
By Aditya Rawat · Destinations Writer, Tripmojo · Updated
Yes. Hong Kong is not part of the US Visa Waiver Programme, so HKSAR passport holders need a B1/B2 visitor visa before travelling, however short the trip. It costs 185 US dollars, requires an in-person interview, and there is no ESTA route and no visa on arrival.
Quick facts
Visa required- Visa required
- Yes, a B1/B2 visitor visa
- ESTA eligible
- No, Hong Kong is not in the Visa Waiver Programme
- Cost
- USD 185, unchanged since May 2023
- Interview
- Required in person, at the US Consulate General in Hong Kong
- Visa bond
- Not required, Hong Kong is not on the bond list
- Covers
- Tourism, visiting family, business meetings
Entry requirements
- A HKSAR passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay, unless your country has an agreement waiving that.
- An approved B1/B2 visa in the passport before you travel. There is no visa on arrival in the United States.
- A completed DS-160 form and its confirmation page, which the interview cannot proceed without.
- Evidence of ties to Hong Kong that you will return to: employment, studies, family or property.
- Proof you can fund the trip, and details of where you will stay.
How to apply for a B1/B2 visa
Complete the DS-160 online, pay the 185 dollar application fee, then book an interview at the US Consulate General in Hong Kong. The fee is paid before booking and is not refunded if the visa is refused, which is the single most common unpleasant surprise in this process.
A separate 750 US dollar fee can buy an interview appointment within ten business days at selected posts. It is optional, it is on top of the 185 dollars, and it is temporary: it took effect on 1 July 2026 and expires on 31 December 2026 unless extended.
At the interview the officer decides on the day. Bring the DS-160 confirmation, your passport, the fee receipt, a photograph to specification, and the documents supporting your ties to Hong Kong.
Good to know
- A strong passport does not help here. HKSAR passport holders enter much of the world visa-free, which makes the American requirement feel like an error. It is not. The Visa Waiver Programme is a specific list of designated countries and Hong Kong has never been on it, so the usual reciprocity does not apply.
- A visa is permission to travel to a port of entry, not permission to enter. Admission and the length of stay are decided by the Customs and Border Protection officer when you land, whatever your visa says.
- The 185 dollars buys the application, not the outcome. Refusals are common and the fee is not returned, so the documents proving you intend to return to Hong Kong are worth preparing properly rather than assembling the night before.
Frequently asked questions
Do Hong Kong passport holders need a visa for the USA?
Yes. Hong Kong is not in the US Visa Waiver Programme, so a B1/B2 visitor visa is required in advance. There is no ESTA option for HKSAR passports.
Can Hong Kong residents use an ESTA?
No. ESTA is only for nationals of Visa Waiver Programme countries, and Hong Kong is not one. Applying for an ESTA instead of a visa wastes the fee and the trip.
How much does a US visa cost from Hong Kong?
185 US dollars for the B1/B2 application, paid before the interview and not refunded if you are refused. An optional 750 dollar fee can buy a faster appointment until the end of 2026.
Is an interview required for a US visa in Hong Kong?
Yes, in person at the US Consulate General in Hong Kong for most applicants. The DS-160 must be completed and the fee paid before an appointment can be booked.
Do Hong Kong applicants need to post a visa bond?
No. The US visa bond programme applies only to nationals of listed countries and Hong Kong is not on that list.
Related pages
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against the official sources below on .
- US Department of Homeland Security — Visa Waiver Program designated countries. Hong Kong is absent from the designation list.
- Federal Register, 9 June 2026, Schedule of Fees for Consular Services (2026-11513) — the B1/B2 MRV fee is USD 185, and a temporary USD 750 expedited-appointment fee runs 1 July to 31 December 2026
- US Department of State — Countries Subject to Visa Bonds. Hong Kong is not listed. Read in a browser by Simran Raheja on 2026-08-08, as travel.state.gov does not serve automated clients.
Entry rules change without notice and the official source is always the authority. Confirm with the embassy or immigration portal before you book.
