Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa: How to Apply Easily
Hong Kong is one of the most attractive destinations in Asia for a working holiday: a dynamic job market, an international environment, and easy travel across the region. For young adults from the United Kingdom, the Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa (Working Holiday Scheme) makes it possible to live, work and travel in Hong Kong for up to 12 months, under a specific bilateral agreement.
While the scheme is relatively straightforward, applicants must meet specific eligibility conditions, provide financial proof and submit all required documents, including evidence of suitable travel insurance. Understanding these requirements in advance helps avoid delays and ensures a smoother application process.
This guide explains how the Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa works for UK applicants, with a clear focus on the steps to apply, the costs involved and the importance of being properly insured before departure. Requirements may evolve and should always be confirmed with the relevant authorities.
- Open to British citizens aged 18–30, applying individually
- Up to 12 months in Hong Kong (non-renewable in principle)
- Annual UK quota: 1,000 places
- Minimum funds required: HK$22,000, plus return ticket or funds to buy one
- Application must be submitted online before travelling via GovHK
- Processing time: around 2 weeks once the file is complete
- Travel insurance is mandatory (covering medical, hospitalisation, repatriation, liability)
- Entry and conditions are always subject to approval by Hong Kong Immigration
Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa : Key Facts
- 🗓️ Stay duration: You may stay in Hong Kong for up to 12 months under the Working Holiday Scheme. The visa is generally issued for the full authorised period from the date of entry and is non-renewable.
- 💼 Work permissions: You are allowed to take up temporary employment to support your stay. For UK participants, the scheme includes specific conditions on employment, as set out in the official scheme notes.
- 🎓 Study and training: UK participants may also undertake study or training for a limited duration during their stay, according to the conditions applicable to British citizens under the scheme.
In general, requirements, rights and processing times may change and should always be confirmed with the competent authorities before applying.
Am I Eligible for a Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa?
- 🎂 You must be aged 18 to 30 inclusive at the time of application.
- 📘 You must hold a valid British passport, valid for the entire intended stay in Hong Kong.
- 🌍 Your primary intention must be to holiday in Hong Kong, with work being secondary and used only to support your travel.
- 👤 Applications must be made as an individual. Dependants (partner or children) are not permitted under the Working Holiday Scheme.
- 🔁 You cannot apply again if you have already participated in the Hong Kong Working Holiday Scheme in the past.
- 🏦 You must provide clear and recent financial evidence, such as bank statements or savings account documents, showing funds in your own name. In general, you must show at least HK$22,000 available funds.
- ✈️ You must also provide either a return or onward travel ticket, or proof that you have sufficient additional funds to purchase one.
💡 For the UK, the annual quota is about 1,000 places per year
Financial thresholds and accepted documents may evolve and should always be confirmed with the relevant authorities before submitting an application.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the Hong Kong WHV
- Prepare your documents in advance: before starting the online form, gather and prepare all required documents. Ensure scans are clear and legible, passport validity dates are visible, and files are correctly named and formatted to avoid upload issues.
- Submit your online application via GovHK: you will create an application, complete the form, upload the mandatory supporting documents and submit the file electronically.
- Follow up after submission if requested: after submission, Hong Kong Immigration may request additional or supplementary documents. If this happens, the documents are generally uploaded online through the same system, within the deadline specified by the authorities.
💡 In general, applications must be submitted before travelling, as the Working Holiday Visa cannot be obtained on arrival.
Application procedures and technical requirements may evolve and should always be confirmed with the competent authorities at the time of application.
Documents You Must Provide for the Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa
Mandatory supporting documents
- 📘 Clear scan of your passport (personal details page, issue date and expiry date)
- 🏦 Proof of funds (at least HK$22,000), such as recent bank statements or savings account documents in your name
- ✈️ Return or onward travel ticket, or proof of sufficient funds to purchase one
- 🛡️ Proof of insurance covering medical care (including hospitalisation), repatriation and personal liability for the entire duration of your stay in Hong Kong (required for UK participants). This document is frequently checked, and insufficient insurance wording is a common cause of delays.
Common mistakes to avoid
- 💱 Bank statements issues, such as incorrect currency, outdated statements or unclear account holder details
- 📝 Insurance wording problems, where required cover categories are not clearly stated on the certificate
- 📂 Poor-quality uploads, including cropped passport pages or unreadable PDF files
Document requirements and acceptable formats may evolve and should always be confirmed with Hong Kong Immigration before submission.
How Much Does the HK Working Holiday Visa Cost?
Cost item | What to expect (UK applicants) | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
💳 Visa application fee | In general, a visa fee applies to the Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa. Payment is usually requested after approval via an official payment link, after which you can download and print your e-Visa. The amount is set by Hong Kong Immigration under the “ordinary visa” fee schedule and may change. Always check the latest fee at payment time. | £30–£80 |
✈️ Flight to Hong Kong | One-way or return flights from the United Kingdom to Hong Kong. Prices vary significantly depending on season, departure airport and booking date. | £400–£900 |
Proof of insurance covering medical care (including hospitalisation), repatriation and personal liability for the entire stay is, in general, required for UK participants. Insurance also plays a key role in protecting you against high healthcare costs in Hong Kong. | £300–£600 for 12 months | |
🏠 Temporary accommodation | Short-term accommodation (hostel, guesthouse or serviced room) is commonly used on arrival while searching for longer-term housing. | £30–£80 per night |
🔑 Rental deposit (longer stay) | For private rentals, landlords usually require one to two months’ rent as a deposit, plus the first month paid in advance. | £2,000–£4,000 upfront |
🚆 Local transport | Public transport is efficient and widely used, but requires an initial monthly budget. | £80–£150 per month |
🍽️ Living expenses | Food, utilities and daily expenses depend on lifestyle and accommodation choices. | £400–£700 per month |
🔍 Job search buffer | A financial buffer is strongly recommended to cover expenses while looking for work, as employment is not guaranteed immediately after arrival. | £1,000–£2,000 recommended |
💡 All amounts are indicative estimates for budgeting purposes only. Fees, requirements and costs may evolve and should always be confirmed with the competent authorities and service providers before departure.
Beyond being a formal requirement in most cases, travel insurance is one of the most effective ways to protect against unexpected medical expenses, hospitalisation or liability claims in Hong Kong, where healthcare costs can be high for non-residents. Choosing appropriate cover before departure is therefore both a visa-related step and a key financial safety measure.
Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa Processing Time
Once all required documents have been correctly submitted, the Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa application normally takes around two weeks to be processed. This timeframe is provided as a general indication by the authorities and may vary depending on individual circumstances or application volume at the time of submission.
Processing times are often extended due to incomplete or unclear applications. Common issues include missing or low-quality document uploads, bank statements that do not clearly show available funds, or insurance certificates that do not explicitly mention the required coverage categories (medical care including hospitalisation, repatriation and personal liability).
👉 To reduce the risk of delays, it is advisable to apply well in advance of your intended departure date and avoid booking non-refundable flights or accommodation too early. Requirements and timelines may evolve, and final decisions always rest with the competent authorities.
The Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa Insurance
Is travel insurance mandatory for a Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa?
For UK participants, holding appropriate travel insurance is mandatory under the Hong Kong Working Holiday Scheme. Applicants must be able to provide proof that they will hold insurance covering medical care (including hospitalisation), repatriation and personal liability for the entire duration of their stay in Hong Kong. This requirement applies before departure and may also be checked upon entry.
It is all the more important as healthcare in Hong Kong is expensive for non-residents and is not covered by the UK NHS.
Proof of insurance usually takes the form of an insurance certificate or policy document clearly stating the types of cover included and the exact dates of coverage, which must match the full intended length of stay.
⚠️ Insurance documents that are vague, incomplete or do not explicitly mention the required coverage categories may be considered insufficient by the authorities.
Which travel insurance should you choose for a Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa?
When selecting insurance for a Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa, UK applicants should prioritise policies that strictly meet the official scheme requirements. At a minimum, the policy should include comprehensive medical and hospitalisation cover, repatriation assistance, and personal liability protection valid in Hong Kong for the entire stay.
Beyond the minimum, several practical criteria are commonly compared by applicants. These include the level of coverage limits, the deductible or excess, whether both outpatient and inpatient care are covered, and whether sports or higher-risk activities are included. It is also important to check territorial validity, as well as the claims process, particularly the availability of assistance and documentation in English.
Get your Working Holiday insurance certificate in 2 minutes
After Approval: Fees Payment, e-Visa, and Entering Hong Kong
After your application is approved, you will generally be invited to pay the visa fee online (£30–£80) using the payment method specified by Hong Kong Immigration.
Once payment is completed, you can immediately download and print your e-Visa, which should be kept with your travel documents and presented upon arrival.
When entering Hong Kong, you should be prepared to present your valid passport and printed e-Visa to immigration officers. In general, officers may also ask for supporting evidence, such as proof of sufficient funds, a return or onward ticket, and evidence of appropriate travel insurance covering the full duration of your stay.
Entry conditions and document checks are determined by the authorities and may vary on a case-by-case basis. It is therefore advisable to keep all supporting documents easily accessible when travelling.
Working in Hong Kong on a Working Holiday Visa
Most Working Holiday Visa holders find short-term or flexible roles that fit the temporary nature of the scheme. Common options include hospitality (cafés, restaurants, hotels), retail, customer service, tutoring or language support, and temporary office or administrative roles.
Jobs are typically sourced through local job boards, recruitment agencies, company websites or direct applications once in Hong Kong.
When applying, it is generally advisable to be transparent with employers about your visa status, as contracts and expectations often depend on the legal duration and conditions of your stay.
💡 Before accepting a position, it is recommended to confirm that the job complies with the applicable conditions and to check the latest guidance from Hong Kong Immigration, as rules may evolve.
Studying While on a Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa
UK participants in the Hong Kong Working Holiday Scheme are, in general, allowed to undertake study or training for a limited period, in line with the specific conditions set out for British citizens in the official scheme annex. Study must remain secondary to the holiday purpose of the stay and should not resemble full-time academic enrolment.
In practical terms, this usually means short courses, language classes, professional training or certification programmes that fit within the authorised limits of the scheme.
💡 Before enrolling, it is advisable to confirm that the course duration and format comply with the applicable conditions, as requirements may evolve and are subject to interpretation by the competent authorities.
FAQ
Yes. For UK applicants, the Hong Kong Working Holiday Scheme is subject to an annual quota of 1,000 places. Once this quota is reached, further applications may be refused or deferred until the next allocation period. It is therefore advisable to apply early.
In general, UK applicants must show at least HK$22,000 in available funds. This amount is intended to cover initial living expenses and must be supported by clear financial documentation in your name.
When all required documents are correctly submitted, the application normally takes around two weeks to be processed. Delays may occur if additional documents are requested or during busy periods.
No. The Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa is issued on an individual basis only, and dependants are not permitted under the scheme.
Yes. For UK participants, holding travel insurance covering medical care (including hospitalisation), repatriation and personal liability for the full duration of the stay is, in general, a requirement of the scheme and may be checked before or after entry.
The Working Holiday Visa is temporary and non-extendable in principle. Switching to another type of visa, such as an employment or study visa, follows a separate process with different eligibility criteria and is subject to approval by the competent authorities.
Yes. In general, UK citizens must obtain the Working Holiday Visa before travelling, as it cannot be applied for or issued upon arrival.
Multiple entries are generally permitted during the validity of the visa, provided all entry conditions continue to be met. Entry decisions are made by immigration officers and may involve document checks. Requirements may evolve and should always be confirmed with Hong Kong Immigration.
