Hong Kong FinTech Week 2026: planning guide for UAE residents

Quick Summary: Hong Kong FinTech Week 2026 runs 2–6 November 2026, with the main conference on 2–3 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in Wan Chai. A General pass costs $499, the Shenzhen tour is a separate add-on on 4–5 November, and the direct flight from Dubai takes about 7 hours 45 minutes. UAE residents should plan flights, hotels and any mainland China visa well ahead.

Key facts

Hong Kong FinTech Week 2026 at a glance

Hong Kong FinTech Week 2026 is one of Asia’s largest fintech events, organised by InvestHK. In 2026, the event will take place on 2–6 November, while the main conference occupies only the first two days.

The event is divided into three levels. The main conference takes place on 2–3 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) — this is the core of the programme. The immersive Shenzhen tour for executives will take place on 4–5 November as a paid additional module. Community events run throughout the week from 2 to 6 November at various venues in Hong Kong.

According to the organiser, more than 45,000 participants from 120+ economies, over 1,000 speakers, 800+ sponsors, startups and exhibitors, as well as more than 30 official delegations are expected in 2026.

Dates and schedule

Hours and exact start times: verify closer to the date.

Passes and prices

Tickets for Hong Kong FinTech Week 2026 are sold only through the official channel fintechweek.hk. 

Rate: amounts in AED are calculated at a fixed rate of 1 USD = 3.6725 AED. Prices are taken from fintechweek.hk, date checked — 29 September 2026.

Group discounts for General Pass: for groups of 5–14 people, a 10% discount applies; for 15–24 people — 15%. For groups of 25 or more, terms are discussed with the organiser.

Conditions for Startup Pass: company founded in 2021 or later, annual revenue up to 2 million dollars, no more than 50 full-time employees.

The Shenzhen tour: what the add-on includes

GBA Immersive Executive Tour — a notable change in 2026. Previously, Shenzhen was offered as a one-day conference; now it is a full two-day visit on 4–5 November.

The Shenzhen tour on 4 November 2026 begins with a coach departure from Hong Kong, then a conference at Renaissance Shenzhen Bay Hotel, three company visits and one cultural location. On 5 November, visits and networking continue, with a return to Hong Kong in the evening. The bus covers all route points in Shenzhen.

Important: accommodation is not included in the tour. Participants book a hotel for the night in Shenzhen independently.

Entry to mainland China is regulated separately from Hong Kong. Hong Kong and the mainland have different entry regimes. The organiser recommends submitting documents 3–4 weeks before the event.

Getting to Hong Kong from Dubai and Abu Dhabi

From Dubai (DXB) to Hong Kong (HKG) there are direct flights, travel time — about 7 hours 45 minutes–8 hours. Emirates and Cathay Pacific both fly non-stop.

Travellers from Abu Dhabi should check current direct options from AUH; most direct services to Hong Kong depart from Dubai.

Upon arrival at Hong Kong Airport, Airport Express is the most convenient way to get to the city, to Hong Kong station in about 24 minutes. From there you can transfer to the MTR toward Wan Chai or Exhibition Centre.

Recommended arrival date: if you plan to attend the opening on 2 November, arrive on 1 November to leave a margin for acclimatisation and possible flight delays.

Where to stay and how to reach the HKCEC

The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre is located in Wan Chai. Around it there are several districts convenient for participants.

• Wan Chai — the district closest to HKCEC, some hotels are within walking distance. For example, Novotel Century Hong Kong — about 8 minutes on foot, there is an indoor passage.
• Admiralty and Causeway Bay — one or two MTR stations away; Causeway Bay has more choice of restaurants and shops.
• Tsim Sha Tsui — on the opposite shore of the bay, reachable by Star Ferry or MTR, but the choice of hotels there is wider.

Getting to the HKCEC on conference days

How to get to HKCEC by MTR: on the East Rail line to Exhibition Centre station (exit B3) or on the Island Line to Wan Chai station (exit A5), then via the pedestrian bridge.

Tip for the conference days: in the Wan Chai area and at Exhibition Centre station, there is heavy traffic during the main programme days. 

Badge collection and entry to the event

You can collect your badge at Hong Kong International Airport (counter B03, 31 October – 2November, 9:00–20:00) or at the HKCEC registration counters (2–3 November, 8:00–18:00). Bring personal ID, as security checks may be conducted; all attendees must be 18 or over. Executive and Investor Pass holders have priority check-in.

Most passes can be transferred to a colleague from the same organisation if you email the organiser at least 14 days before the event; Startup and Government passes are non-transferable.

Recommendation: the first day of the main conference — 2 November 2026, morning — is the peak time for entry. Arrive at HKCEC 60–90 minutes before the start in order to calmly go through document checks and receive your badge. Complete online registration in advance and save the confirmation email or QR code — this will speed up the process at the desk.

Participant badges can be collected at Hong Kong Airport (desk B03, 31 October – 2 November) or at HKCEC on 2–3 November, 8:00–18:00. This helps avoid the general queue on the first day.

What else to do in Hong Kong

Victoria Peak is Hong Kong’s number one panorama — a postcard view of skyscrapers, the harbour and the islands from a height of 552 metres. The ride up on the historic Peak Tram (135 years old, 45° gradient) is an attraction in itself. The best time is 1.5–2 hours before sunset to catch daylight, the golden hour and the night illuminations. A free alternative to the paid Sky Terrace 428 is the Peak Circle Walk around the summit.

Star Ferry is one of the most scenic ways to cross Victoria Harbour. National Geographic included the ride in its list of “50 Places of a Lifetime.” The Tsim Sha Tsui ↔ Central route takes 7–11 minutes, with fares from HK$4–6.5. The green-and-white ferries have retained the atmosphere of old Hong Kong since 1888.

A Symphony of Lights is a daily multimedia show at 8:00 pm — 43 buildings on both sides of the harbour are lit up with lasers and searchlights to music. It lasts 10–13 minutes and is free. The best viewpoints are the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront (near the Cultural Centre and the Avenue of Stars) or Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai. An alternative is an evening harbour cruise with a view of the show from the water.

What to know before you go

• Weather: in early November, daytime is about 25–27 °C, nighttime 20–22 °C. Humidity is moderate, so business attire is comfortable. Indoor air conditioning is strong, so bring a light layer.
• Time difference: Hong Kong uses UTC+8, the UAE — UTC+4. Hong Kong is 4 hours ahead of the UAE. 
• Electricity: in Hong Kong, outlets are type G, as in the UAE. An adapter is not needed.
• Payment: the Octopus card works on the MTR, buses, shops and most cafes. You can buy and top it up at the airport and at MTR stations.

Visas for UAE residents: Hong Kong and Shenzhen

Hong Kong and mainland China have separate entry rules. Many passports, including the UAE’s, are visa-free for Hong Kong, but the Shenzhen tour needs mainland China entry, and most UAE residents will need a Chinese visa. The organiser recommends applying 3–4 weeks before the event.

Why apply for a visa through The Visa Services?

Applying for a Chinese visa from Dubai is a standard procedure, but nevertheless it requires very careful preparation. We know the UAE well. We understand the specifics of submitting documents through local visa centres and what visa officers usually pay attention to when reviewing documents. Our visa experts know how to prepare a convincing application, even if family members have passports from different countries, you need a visa urgently, or you have recently received a refusal.

The Visa Services was recognised as the leading UAE visa agency at the World Travel Awards in 2025 and 2026. We help UAE residents of any nationality prepare visa applications to more than 40 countries.

This material is informational and is not legal or immigration advice. Event dates, the programme and prices are set by the organiser and change — verify them on official sources before booking. The visa decision is made by the authorities of the relevant country; we do not guarantee approval.