Visa Information
Please see our most common frequently asked questions below.
It is strongly recommended you still check with your local embassy on your requirements. The Congress Organisers are not visa specialists and only provide general information and are not specific to individual countries or individual travel needs. If you are extending your stay or travelling for other purposes, the below information may not be relevant or correct. We can assist in providing you with a visa letter once you have finalised and paid for your registration. Please use the below information as a guide to assist with determining your visa requirements for travel to Thailand.
APLAR 2023 Visa FAQs
Passport holders of several countries/territories, including Australia, may enter Thailand for Tourism purposes with a period of stay to 30 days under the free visa exemption scheme.
Click here to learn whether you need a visa or entry permit to enter Thailand.
Foreign nationals of certain nationalities (including Dutch, Finnish and Estonia nationals) who are permitted to enter the Kingdom of Thailand without a visa purpose or who are permitted to apply for a visa on arrival (VoA) are required to apply for a code “ED” non-immigrant visa. Click here for information on what visa is right for you.
If your country falls under the visa exemption scheme and you wish to extend your stay for more than 30 days, you will need to apply for the below visa. A non-immigrant visa (ED) permits a tourist to stay in Thailand for a period of more than 30 days but not exceeding 60 days.
- Non-immigrant Visa (ED)
This visa is issued to inbound travellers who are visiting Thailand for a study trip, training course, internship, observation tour, seminar, or conference organised by government agencies, state enterprises, or international organisation. Click here to view non-immigrant visa categories and the purpose of the visit.
To find our if you need a visa to enter Thailand, please click here.
Upon receiving your visa application, it takes at least 10 working days to get a visa processed, excluding the postage time. It’s recommended to apply for a visa at least 4 – 8 weeks before the travel date but do not submit your application more than 3 months before your departure date.
The Non-Immigrant Visa category ED fee for a single entry is 2,000THB
If you are a speaker participating in APLAR 2023 in Chang Mai, Thailand and not supported by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), you must apply for the Non-Immigrant category ED visa.
Foreign nationals who visit Thailand and have received approval or sponsorship from the TCEB for specific business or investment activities, are not considered to be engaging in ‘work’. Therefore, you are not required to need a work permit and are exempt. Click here to find further information.
If you require a visa to enter Thailand and are staying for a period longer than 30 days, you will need to either apply for the visa below. Australians are not eligible to apply for a visa through the Thai E-Visa System. Please apply for a visa in person at the nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate or click here to view the process.
The required documents to apply for the Non-Immigrant Visa (ED) are highlighted below:
Non-Immigrant Visa Category ED
- Visa application form filled out.
- Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months and one copy of passport. The validity of 18 months is required for one year visa application.
- One copy of ID or residence permit as a proof of permanent residency in Romania or Bulgaria.
- (3.5 x 4.5 cm) photograph of the applicant, taken within the past six months.
- Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family)
- Evidence of travel to and from Thailand (round trip air / transportation tickets).
- Booking of accommodation for the entire period.
Visa Application Form
Please click here to fill out your visa application form.
For Australian citizens please click here to see more information of the ED Visa application procedures, detailed required documents, download the application form and to apply your visa online.
How to apply for a Thai Visa – https://image.mfa.go.th/mfa/0/zE6021nSnu/General_Information.pdf
Official Thai Embassy Contact Details – https://consular.mfa.go.th/th/index
0 2575 1034 or Call Centre 24 hours 0 2572 8442
For visa inquiries email visa@thaiconstulatesydney.org
Royal Thai Embassy, Canberra thaiembassy@mfa.mail.go.th
https://www.mfa.go.th/en/publicservice/5d5bcc2615e39c306000a316
We are excited to announce that as of 26 September 2022 all mandatory quarantine requirements for inbound travellers to Hong Kong have been lifted. The Hong Kong Government have introduced a new “0+3” model which involves ZERO quarantine days and THREE days of medical surveillance during which inbound persons are free to go out but are obliged to comply with Amber Code restrictions under the Vaccine Pass.
The Government will continue to closely monitor the epidemic development in a holistic manner and prudently consider the social distancing measures for the subsequent stage, with a view to maintaining the daily operation of society while preventing the risk of an epidemic rebound.
As the current regulations are continuously under assessment, please keep an eye out for the latest travel and border restrictions.
Inbound Travel Requirements
Persons Applicable:
Inbound persons who have only stayed in the Mainland or Macao on the day of boarding for/arrival at Hong Kong or during the 7 days before that day (including those arriving at Hong Kong via land boundary control points or the airport)
(i.e. persons arriving at Hong Kong under the Return2hk Scheme and Come2hk Scheme)
Document required:
- Green Health Declaration QR code
Self monitoring and testing requirement:
- Self-monitoring for 3 days; and
- On Day 2 of arrival at Hong Kong, undergo PCR-based nucleic acid test (For persons who have stayed in any place on the List of At-risk Places under the Return2hk / Come2hk Scheme on the day of arrival at Hong Kong or the 7 days before that day, they are required to undergo an extra nucleic acid test on Day 1)
Persons applicable:
Inbound persons who have stayed in Taiwan on the day of boarding for/arrival in Hong Kong or during the 7 days before that day (excluding those who have stayed in any place outside China)
Boarding requirements:
- Green Health Declaration QR code; and
- RAT (can be self-administered or by professional swab sampling) conducted within 24 hours prior to the scheduled time of departure with a negative result and declare via the Health Declaration Form
Medical surveillance requirement:
- Medical surveillance for 3 days, and during the period, subject to Amber Code restrictions under Vaccine Pass. Amber code still allows delegates to enter the congress centre to participate in the program
- Undergo daily RATs (negative result should be confirmed before leaving the place of residence);
- On Day 2, undergo PCR-based nucleic acid test after obtaining negative result of RAT on the day; and
- Those who are consecutively tested negative can complete medical surveillance with Amber Code restrictions ending at 9 a.m. of Day
Self-monitoring requirement:
- Self-monitoring in the subsequent 4 days;
- Undergo daily RATs (negative result should be confirmed before leaving the place of residence) until Day 7; and
- On Days 4 and 6, undergo PCR-based nucleic acid tests after obtaining negative results of RATs on respective days
Persons applicable:
Inbound persons who have stayed in any place outside China during the relevant period (the day of boarding for/arrival at Hong Kong or during the 7 days before that day)
Boarding requirements:
- Fulfilled vaccination requirement (Applicable to non-Hong Kong residents aged 12 or above on the scheduled day of departure of the flight to Hong Kong)
- Green Health Declaration QR code (The Government recommends inbound persons, regardless of Hong Kong residents or not, who have fulfilled vaccination requirement to declare their vaccination records in order to comply with the requirement to be issued the Provisional Vaccine Pass); and
- RAT (can be self-administered or by professional swab sampling) conducted within 24 hours prior to the scheduled time of departure with a negative result and declare via the Health Declaration Form
Medical surveillance requirement:
- Medical surveillance for 3 days, and during the period, subject to Amber Code restrictions under Vaccine Pass. Amber code still allows delegates to enter the congress centre to participate in the program.
- Undergo daily RATs (negative result should be confirmed before leaving the place of residence);
- On Day 2, undergo PCR-based nucleic acid test after obtaining negative result of RAT on the day; and
- Those who are consecutively tested negative can complete medical surveillance with Amber Code restrictions ending at 9 a.m. of Day 3
Self-monitoring requirement:
- Self-monitoringin the subsequent 4 days;
- Undergo daily RATs (negative result should be confirmed before leaving the place of residence) until Day 7; and
- On Days 4 and 6, undergo PCR-based nucleic acid tests after obtaining negative results of RATs on respective days
Vaccine Pass
The Government has announced the arrangements for inbound travellers from places outside Hong Kong to obtain a Provisional Vaccine Pass. Please note that only inbound travellers who have arrived in Hong Kong on or after 1 May 2022 will be issued with a Provisional Vaccine Pass at the designated channels. For details, please click here.
All inbound travellers who have stayed in overseas places in the past 14 days (including non-Hong Kong residents (non-HKRs)) are required to be fully vaccinated and hold a recognised vaccination record in order to board a flight for Hong Kong. “Fully vaccinated” means the required dose(s), generally referring to two doses of vaccine, has been administered in accordance with the relevant guidelines of the “List of COVID-19 Vaccines Recognised for Specified Purposes” (the List) at least 14 days prior to arrival at Hong Kong.
Visa Information
Please see our most common frequently asked visa questions below.
It is strongly recommended you still check with your local embassy on your requirements. The congress organisers are not visa specialists and only provide general information and not specific to individual counties or individual travel needs. If you are extending your stay or travelling for other purposes, the bellow information may not be relevant or correct.
Nationals of about 170 countries and territories may visit Hong Kong visa-free for a period ranging from 7 days to 180 days. Click here to learn whether you need a visa or entry permit to enter Hong Kong for a visit or transit.
If you are a speaker supported by APLAR it is still acceptable for you to apply under a visitor visa, refer to this page for specifics: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/permissible-activities.html
Speech(es) / presentation(s)
A person permitted to enter the HKSAR as a visitor may also attend event(s) to deliver speech(es)/presentation(s) subject to the following conditions being met:
- he/she will not be remunerated for speaking/presenting at the event (other than provision of accommodation, passage, meals, etc. relating to the event, or the reimbursement of such expenses),
- during each period of permitted stay, there is no maximum limit on the number of event(s), he/she can attend to deliver speech(es)/presentation(s) up to 14 consecutive calendar days, counting from the day when he/she starts to participate in such event(s).
As APLAR does not provide an honorarium, speakers can attend HK through a VISITORS visa.
It is strongly recommended you still check with your local embassy on your requirements. The congress organisers are not visa specialists and only provide general information and not specific to individual counties. See direct link for further information: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/permissible-activities.html
The congress does not take responsibility if your visa is rejected or not received in time. It is the responsibility of the attendee to ensure all measures are met for their origin.
If you are travelling from a country listed on PART II of this website: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/visit-transit/visit-visa-entry-permit.html and it states a Visa required, you must apply at your local embassy and follow their instructions.
If relevant, please complete the online application here: https://cova.mfa.gov.cn/qzCoCommonController.do?show&pageId=001&locale=en_US.
The Immigration website does state if you are attending an exhibition that a visitor visa is acceptable, however please ensure you check this with your local embassy.
Business-related activities
A person permitted to enter the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“HKSAR”) as a visitor may generally engage in the following business-related activities:
- concluding contracts or submitting tenders;
- examining or supervising the installation/packaging of goods or equipment;
- participating in exhibitions or trade fairs (except selling goods or supplying services direct to the general public, or constructing exhibition booths);
- settling compensation or other civil proceedings;
- participating in product orientation; and
- attending short-term seminars or other business meetings.
If you require a visa invitation letter, please register for the congress and select that you require an invitation letter. You must have paid for your registration before the invitation letter is sent.
It is strongly recommended you still check with your local embassy on your requirements. The congress organisers are not visa specialists and only provide general information and not specific to individual counties or individual travel needs. If you are extending your stay or travelling for other purposes, the above information may not be relevant or correct.
The congress does not take responsibility if your visa is rejected or not received in time. It is the responsibility of the attendee to ensure all measures are met for their origin.
If you are travelling from a country listed on PART II of this website: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/visit-transit/visit-visa-entry-permit.html and it states pre-arrival registration is required (this is applicable for India)
Please refer to the website here for next steps: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/pre-arrival_registration_for_indian_nationals.html
An Indian national can make use of the online service to apply for pre-arrival registration free of charge if he/she:
- holds an Indian passport valid for at least six months; and
- intends to visit or transit (except in direct transit by air and not leaving the airport transit area) the HKSAR for a stay not exceeding 14 days.
Those who are eligible to register, visit this website: https://www.gov.hk/en/apps/immdes2indianparreg.htm
Once you have submitted your application, the successful registrant must print the “Notification Slip for Pre-arrival Registration for Indian Nationals” (the notification slip) generated by the computer system on a sheet of blank A4 white paper.
For further support, refer to a demo here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLyO76faVS4
If you are travelling from a country listed on PART II of this website: https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/visit-transit/visit-visa-entry-permit.html and it states you do not require a visa, then you should not be required to apply.
The Immigration website does state if you are attending an exhibition that a visitor visa is acceptable, however please ensure you check this with your local embassy.
Business-related activities
- A person permitted to enter the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“HKSAR”) as a visitor may generally engage in the following business-related activities:
- concluding contracts or submitting tenders;
- examining or supervising the installation/packaging of goods or equipment;
- participating in exhibitions or trade fairs (except selling goods or supplying services direct to the general public, or constructing exhibition booths);
- settling compensation or other civil proceedings;
- participating in product orientation; and
attending short-term seminars or other business meetings
It is strongly recommended you still check with your local embassy on your requirements. The congress organisers are not visa specialists and only provide general information and not specific to individual counties or individual travel needs. If you are extending your stay or travelling for other purposes, the above information may not be relevant or correct.
In-person Covid-19 requirements
If you are joining us in-person in Hong Kong, please note the below measures remain in place:
- All delegates must safely socially distance
- All delegates must wear a mask at all times
- No food & beverage consumption at all in licensed areas
- Must have a LeaveHomeSafe QR code or Vaccination Pass to show on entry to the venue
As of 26 September 2022, overseas and inbound travellers will not have to undergo a mandatory hotel quarantine period. The new arrangement will be changed to the “0+3” model, i.e. there will be three days of medical surveillance during which inbound persons are free to go out, but are obliged to comply with Amber Code restrictions under the Vaccine Pass, followed by a four day self-monitoring period, making it a 7-day observation period in total.
If you test positive during your visit to Hong Kong and do not wish to pay for hotel quarantine, or require additional care, the Government will permit you to an isolation facility at no additional cost. The government adopts a risk-based approach to decide appropriate quarantine premises (such as homes, hotels or other premises) for different groups of inbound travellers.
Whilst inbound travellers will not be required to undergo mandatory quarantine, they will be under three days of medical surveillance, during which are subject to Amber Code restrictions. This includes, not entering high-risk premises involving mask-off group activities, as well as other premises requiring key protection. They can conduct daily essential activities of lower risks.
Amber code will still allow you to attend the congress centre and participate in the APLAR scientific program.
For relevant inbound persons who have consecutively tested negative, medical surveillance and Amber Code restrictions will end at 9am on Day 3 of arrival into Hong Kong. They will be subject to a four-day self-monitoring period, totalling the observation period at 7 days.
- Conduct a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT): all Inbound persons arriving from overseas places or Taiwan are required to conduct a RAT with a negative result within 24 hours prior to the scheduled time of departure to Hong Kong. You are advised to complete the online Health Declaration Form after you have obtained a negative RAT result.
- Complete a Health Declaration Form: All inbound persons are required to complete the online Health Declaration Form from the Department of Health (https://www.chp.gov.hk/hdf/) prior to their arrival in Hong Kong. After submitting the declaration, the system will generate a green Health Declaration QR code. Please save the QR code to show to boarder control and airline staff.
All persons boarding flights to Hong Kong from overseas places or Taiwan are required to submit the online form in advance. The form details travel itinerary and intention information, your medical history with COVID-19 and personal contact information. Once you have submitted the form, the system will generate a QR code. Please be sure to save the code after completion and present at check-in for verification by airlines before boarding. You will also be required to show the QR code to the border control staff upon entering Hong Kong.
A valid eHealth declaration QR code means the name shown on the QR code must match the name of the traveller’s valid travel document and the validity period of the QR code had not expired.
Yes, all non-Hong Kong residents aged 12 or above are required to be fully vaccinated or have obtained a medical exemption certificate before they allowed to board a flight to Hong Kong.
Please click here to view a full list of all recognised vaccines. You will need to have completed the minimum number of vaccines listed in this document to be considered “fully vaccinated”.
If you test positive during your visit to Hong Kong and do not wish to pay for hotel quarantine, or require additional care, the Government will permit you to an isolation facility at no additional cost. The government adopts a risk-based approach to decide appropriate quarantine premises (such as homes, hotels or other premises) for different groups of inbound travellers.
If you require further information, the FAQs section on the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region website can support.
Alternatively, contact the congress organisers.
