Immigration
Hong Kong | Application for mainland travel permits for Hong Kong and Macao residents (non-Chinese citizens) is now open
Summary
With effect from 10 July 2024, non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents are eligible to apply for a card-type document, called Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao residents (non-Chinese citizens) (“the Permit”) allowing travel to Mainland China for short-term purposes, such as tourism and business, for multiple entries not exceeding 90 days per entry. With this Permit, the non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent resident will be able to enjoy self-service clearance at control points of the Mainland. The Permit will be allowed for multiple entry purpose with a maximum validity period of 5 years.
The detail
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Details | |
| The new Permit | Starting from 10 July 2024, the Mainland China authority known as the Exit and Entry Administration of the Country has been issuing a card-type document (Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese citizens) to non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents for enhancing convenience of clearance at control points of the Mainland and facilitating their visit to the Mainland for business, travelling, and visiting relatives. |
| Features of the Permit and the condition of stay | Successful applicants will be granted with the Permit valid for multiple entries with a five-year validity period. The duration of stay should not be exceeding 90 days for each visit. The Permit holder will no longer be required to apply for a separate visa to enter the Mainland.
Non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents entering Mainland China with this Permit are prohibited from working nor studying in the Mainland unless they obtain the relevant work permit or study visa. |
| Application method | The application, approval, and issuance of this card fall within the remit of the Mainland authorities. All non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents will be eligible to make applications to the China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited entrusted by the Exit and Entry Administration for travelling to the Mainland.
Generally speaking, the application process involves 3 steps: 1. Applying to the Hong Kong Immigration Department for access to information in relation to Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens) (“the Permit) to obtain a letter confirming: a. Nationality declared to the Commissioner of Registration; b. The result of the applicant’s Verification of Eligibility for Permanent Identity Card; and c. Whether or not the applicant currently holds a Hong Kong SAR passport; 2. Completing the online application form on the portal of the China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited website; and 3. Attending the appointment with supporting documents and upon approval, collecting the Permit at the China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited. |
Our observation
The implementation of this new Permit will be welcome news to all non-Chinese individuals who are Hong Kong permanent residents as they in the past would have had to apply for China visas to visit the Mainland. This new arrangement complements the “northbound” multiple-entry visa initiative as announced by the Chief Executive in the 2023 Policy Address. Together with the immigration facilitation measures that have also been launched recently including launching and expanding the GBA “southbound” exit endorsement for talent to Beijing and Shanghai and extending the duration of stay in Hong Kong of the exit endorsement for business visit from seven days to 14 days, the “southbound and northbound” flow has been made more convenient, enhancing the two-way flow of talent. Employers with mobile employees crossing the borders may take these advantages of immigration facilitation to streamline business travel processed for their employees. However, employers are reminded to observe and comply with the tax and immigration obligations triggered by the business travels in both the Mainland and Hong Kong SAR.
Contact us
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Vialto Partners (“Vialto”) refers to wholly owned subsidiaries of CD&R Galaxy UK OpCo Limited as well as the other members of the Vialto Partners global network. The information contained in this document is for general guidance on matters of interest only. Vialto is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will Vialto, its related entities, or the agents or employees thereof be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in this document or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
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Further information on Vialto Partners can be found here: www.vialtopartners.com
Vialto Partners (“Vialto”) refers to wholly owned subsidiaries of CD&R Galaxy UK OpCo Limited as well as the other members of the Vialto Partners global network. The information contained in this document is for general guidance on matters of interest only. Vialto is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will Vialto, its related entities, or the agents or employees thereof be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in this document or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
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