Hong Kong Expands Immigration Scheme to 11 New Countries

On 24 September 2026, the Hong Kong government announced an expansion of its Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Invited Persons, effective from 1 October 2026. This scheme previously included only ASEAN member states but now extends to 11 additional countries, comprising five Central Asian nations: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, along with six Gulf Cooperation Council countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The scheme allows eligible visitors from these countries to travel to Hong Kong for exchanges and engagements without the standard visa application process. The announcement did not specify a cap on the number of visitors or the duration of permitted stays.

This expansion indicates Hong Kong's intent to strengthen economic and trade ties with strategically significant regions, positioning itself as a hub for cross-regional exchange.