On 25 June 2025, the Hong Kong Immigration Department announced a new round of fee adjustments, set to take effect in September 2025, following the completion of legislative processes. This announcement comes on the heels of the initial round introduced in February 2025, which had mainly impacted professional work visa schemes. The September update, however, will focus on categories that remained untouched earlier this year, affecting a wide spectrum of services ranging from visitor and travel permits to passport and identity documentation for Hong Kong permanent residents and specific groups such as Taiwan residents, labourers and seafarers who reside in Hong Kong.

Government Rationale

Scope of the September Increase

The upcoming revision in September affects a broad range of immigration services, particularly:

• Visitor-related applications: This includes applications for short-term visits, which are essential for inbound tourism and business travel.
• Labourer-related applications: This includes Foreign Domestic Helper visa scheme (FDH) and Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme (ESLS)

• Multiple Entry Permit (MEP) applications for Taiwan residents. This is particularly significant given the economic and cultural ties between Hong Kong and Taiwan.
• Applications related to permanent residents or HKSAR citizens, such as passport and APEC business travel card, which facilitate outbound international business travel.
• Seaman documentation.  This is essential for seaman with no other suitable travel documents.

Fee Adjustments on Some of the Most Popular Services (Effective September 2025)

Here’s a breakdown of some notable changes across immigration services:

What Should Applicants Do Now?

If you or your organisation is in the process of preparing the relevant applications, here are practical steps to consider:

1. Submit Before September

Applicants who are ready to file the relevant applications before the new fees take effect in September 2025 can benefit by locking in the current (lower) rates.

2. Plan Your Budget

For those with travel or relocation plans in the coming months, it is prudent to factor in the new costs.

3. Watch for Further Changes

Given the Immigration Department’s statement that full cost recovery has not been achieved, stakeholders should expect further hikes, possibly as early as 2026. Remaining informed and agile will be key, especially for businesses managing cross-border personnel movements.

Context on the February 2025 Fee Adjustment

To fully appreciate the relatively restrained nature of the September 2025 adjustments, it’s worth revisiting the dramatic February 2025 fee revision. That round specifically targeted professional visa or investment related schemes, including the:

• Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)
• General Employment Policy (GEP)
• Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents & Professionals (ASMTP)
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)
• Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)
• New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES)

Fees in those categories jumped as much as 726%, transforming what was once a HKD 230 process into a multi-fee regime with charges as much as HKD 1,900 per application.  In contrast, the September adjustment—ranging from 3% to 51%, reflecting the Immigration Department’s more calibrated approach towards general immigration services.

Conclusion

The upcoming fee adjustments by the Hong Kong Immigration Department represent a significant shift in the landscape of immigration services. As the government seeks to align fees with operational costs, stakeholders must adapt to the changing environment. By staying informed, planning ahead, and engaging with professional resources, individuals and organisations can navigate these changes effectively. The focus on cost recovery may lead to further adjustments in the future, making it essential for all parties involved to remain agile and proactive in their approach to immigration matters.

As Hong Kong continues to evolve as a global hub for business and travel, understanding the implications of these fee changes will be crucial for anyone looking to engage with the region's immigration system. Whether for personal, professional, or business purposes, being prepared for the financial and procedural aspects of immigration will help ensure a smoother experience in the face of ongoing changes.

References

Immigration Department. “Immigration Department to revise fees” June 25, 2025.  Retrieved from: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/press/press-releases/20250625a.html

Immigration Department. “New Fee Structure for Visa Applications under Specified Schemes” February 26, 2025. Retrieved from: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/specifiedschemes.html

Immigration Department. “Application for a Multiple Entry Permit for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (applicable for Chinese residents of Taiwan working, studying or residing in Hong Kong)”.  Retrieved from: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/forms/forms/id931.html

RTHK. “The Immigration Department will adjust some service charges on September 8, increasing by 3% to 51%”. Retrieved from: https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/ch/component/k2/1810612-20250625.htm

News.gov.hk. “Immigration Dept to revise fees”. Retrieved from: https://www.news.gov.hk/eng/2025/06/20250625/20250625_162955_108.html

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