Visitors to Hong Kong are no longer required to complete an arrivals card, as the country announced this week that these small white slips have been eliminated as of Wednesday, October 16, 2024—meaning the change is effective immediately.
The Hong Kong Immigration Department has confirmed that “all visitors are not required to complete and submit arrival or departure cards when going through immigration clearance points.”
This decision contrasts with a global trend toward digital arrivals cards, which have become mandatory for travelers in countries like New Zealand, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Additionally, ‘electronic travel authorizations’ are gaining popularity. The UK is set to launch its worldwide Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) program in January 2025 (which will include a £10 application fee), while the EU’s European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is expected to roll out in the first half of 2025.
Thailand’s ETA is also scheduled to debut in January 2025, and Japan has announced plans for its own JETSA travel permit.
Photo by Alexi Van Damme CEO and founder of AX Media Thailand
