China grants 5-year travel visa for Hong Kong, Macau residents; all details here
Non-Chinese permanent residents of Macau and Hong Kong will soon be able to apply for five-year travel permits to enter mainland China starting from July 10, as announced by Beijing.
This move is expected to encourage foreign companies and talent to settle in these cities. The National Immigration Administration stated on Monday that permit holders would be able to use self-service clearance at control points after completing procedures such as fingerprinting.
These multi-entry permits will allow entry into the mainland for short-term purposes including investment, tourism, visiting relatives, seminars, business, and exchanges. Permit holders can stay for up to 90 days per visit, though they are not permitted to work, study, or engage in news gathering activities.
As per the reports, applications are open to all eligible residents, regardless of nationality or occupation, through China Travel Service (Holdings) in Hong Kong and Macau. Successful applications will result in permits being issued within 20 working days.
The application fee is HK$260 (US$34), while renewals or replacements on the mainland will cost 230 yuan (US$32). The central government aims to facilitate people-to-people exchanges between Macau, Hong Kong, and the mainland, thereby supporting the integration of both cities into the broader national development framework.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu emphasised that this new policy, announced on the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule, showcases the country’s support for Hong Kong. Lee highlighted that many non-Chinese permanent residents have deep roots in Hong Kong and are eager to take advantage of the opportunities presented by China’s rapid development.
Lee expressed confidence that this permit would provide significant convenience for international talent working in Hong Kong, allowing easier northbound travel. He noted that the lack of restrictions on nationality or occupation shows Hong Kong’s unique status under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle and enhances its international character and diversity. This, in turn, is expected to attract companies and talent from around the world.
This new travel permit is part of a series of more liberal visa measures granted by Beijing to Hong Kong since early 2023. Other measures include launching and expanding the Greater Bay Area exit endorsement for talent in Beijing and Shanghai, extending business visit durations in Hong Kong from seven to 14 days, and introducing multiple-entry ‘northbound’ visas for foreign employees in the city.
Originally Published at TIMESOFINDIA
