Starting July 10, non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macao will be eligible to apply for special travel permits to enter the mainland, the National Immigration Administration announced yesterday.
According to the basic laws of the two special administrative regions, permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macao include both Chinese and non-Chinese nationals.
These permits, which are valid for five years, will allow holders to enter the mainland multiple times for stays that do not exceed 90 days. After completing registration procedures, such as fingerprint collection, permit holders can enter the mainland through the express clearance channel, according to the administration.
Those who are eligible may submit an application to the China Tourism Group in Hong Kong or to the China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd. in Macao.
Should their travel permits expire while on the Chinese mainland, holders can apply for a renewal permit at the entry-and-exit authority in the jurisdiction of their temporary residence. Alternatively, holders can also apply for a new travel permit after returning to Hong Kong or Macao by using a temporary exit certificate obtained on the mainland.
However, if non-Chinese holders intend to work, study, or engage in news reporting activities on the mainland, they should apply for visas or residence permits in accordance with the law.
The administration said that it will continue to improve immigration management services to support the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and promote the integration of Hong Kong and Macao into the country’s overall development.
Currently, only Chinese permanent residents in Hong Kong and Macao are allowed to apply for travel permits to enter the mainland. Non-Chinese nationals in the two cities, on the other hand, have to obtain a visa to visit the mainland.
With the deepening of the integrated development of the GBA, a growing number of individuals from Hong Kong and Macao — both Chinese and non-Chinese nationals — are increasingly traveling to the mainland for diverse purposes, including investment, business, education, academic research, science and technology exchanges, and tourism.
The Macao and Hong Kong governments welcomed the new policy.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said the measure is not limited to any nationality or industry, which fully highlights Hong Kong’s unique status under “one country, two systems” and greatly helps Hong Kong maintain its international character and diversity, thereby providing a significant incentive for companies and talent from around the world to settle in Hong Kong.
Macao Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng described this move as an important manifestation of the country’s wider opening-up policy, which will help support Macao’s acquisition of overseas talent, consolidate Macao’s status as a world center of tourism and leisure, and create even more favorable conditions to promote Macao’s appropriate economic diversification.