Excerpt from Official Cathay Memo

Dear Sir/Madam: Please be advised that Hong Kong Immigration Department has announced the extension of the Airside Transit Without Visa arrangement to Nationals of Nepal provided that they are flying with CX and KA with connections in HKIA starting from the date Dragonair begins the services between Hong Kong and Kathmandu on 02 December 2007.     The transit requirements for the Nepalese are similar to that of Bangladeshis, Pakistanis and Sri Lankans.  Nepalese must hold valid visa or proof of residency of USA, the maximum transit time should be within 12 hours and the arrival passengers will be accompanied by airline staff throughout the transit period at Hong Kong International Airport. For further details, click here http://www.cxagentsusa.com/GeneralInformation/subdefault.asp?SectionID=9 On behalf of Cathay Pacific Airways, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support. Sincerely, Lisa R. Manning

Manager, Revenue Management Unit

Important update: Aug 8, 2008.

If you are staying on an expired visa or don’t have permanent residency, you may not be allowed to board a flight though Hong Kong.  Note, the transit visa clearly states that Nepalese must be holding a valid visa or proof of residency. (We have highlighted this section in green in the official memo for Cathay).  You can still travel via Hong Kong but you must make advance clearance through Cathay’s customer service.