Visa and consulate

Who applies where, the Consular Services Portal, fee, processing time and what to do after a refusal.

Who is responsible

The visa section of the German Consulate General Hong Kong handles national visas if your habitual residence is in Hong Kong or Macao. If you live elsewhere, for example in Shenzhen, you cannot apply in Hong Kong and must use the German missions in mainland China (national visa page; china.diplo.de).

How to apply

1. Apply online through the Consular Services Portal. Working Holiday applicants choose “Opportunity Card” in the portal (Consulate). The paper route with VIDEX plus an appointment remains possible.
2. Use the checklist for your purpose; they are linked on the visa pages. Bring originals plus one copy. Documents not in German or English need a translation.
3. Passport: valid at least 6 more months, issued within the last 10 years, 2 free pages. Proof of residence in Hong Kong: HKID card, plus visa or stay permit for non-permanent residents.
4. Fee: €75 (minors €37.50), paid in cash in HKD (§ 46 Residence Ordinance). Apply at most 6 months before entry.

How long it takes

The Consulate says the review can take up to three months and the whole process several months; checklists for 2026 give about 2 to 4 weeks for some categories. Current figures: processing times.

Visa-free entry and changing purpose later

Visa-free stays are for up to 90 days without work (Consulate). The Consulate's student checklist says plainly that a tourist stay cannot be converted into a student visa. Under § 39 no. 3 Residence Ordinance a visa-free visitor can get a residence permit in Germany only if the entitlement arose after entry; this is narrow, so ask the immigration office before relying on it. Claims under §§ 16b, 16e and 19e are excluded, so a switch into studies this way is never possible (§ 39). Whether the HKSAR counts as a “state” under Annex II for § 39 no. 3 is not confirmed.

After a refusal

Since 1 July 2025 there is no remonstration (informal objection) against visa refusals (Consulate notice). You can apply again with better documents, or bring an action before the Administrative Court Berlin within one month (§ 74 VwGO). For a lawsuit, get advice from a lawyer first. More questions: Consulate FAQ.