Today (1st), the country announced that it will issue the "Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Nationality)" to non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents, which aims to enhance their customs clearance convenience at mainland ports and facilitate them to conduct business, tourism and family visits. According to the announcement of the National Exit and Entry Administration, the new certificate will be issued on July 10 and will be valid for five years, allowing holders to travel to and from the mainland multiple times during the validity period of the document, staying for no more than 90 days each time, eliminating the trouble of applying for a mainland visa alone. In addition, the holder is not allowed to work, study or engage in news gathering activities in the Mainland. The HKSAR Government warmly welcomes and thanks the relevant arrangements of the country.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, "At the important moment when Hong Kong people celebrate the return to the motherland, I would like to thank the Central Government for introducing another measure to benefit Hong Kong, which reflects the country's long-standing concern and support for the HKSAR. Under the new measure, cardholders will be able to self-service customs clearance at Mainland ports with one card in hand, greatly enhancing the efficiency of customs clearance. ”
He said, "Many non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents have been working hard in Hong Kong for many years and have made great contributions to Hong Kong's development. Among them, foreign talents working in Hong Kong are particularly eager to better grasp the historical opportunities of the mainland's rapid development, and in particular, they are looking forward to participating more in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into a world-class bay area. We are convinced that international talents from Hong Kong companies will be able to enjoy the long-awaited convenience of customs clearance in the north with this card. This measure, which is not limited to nationality and industry, fully demonstrates Hong Kong's unique position under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, and greatly helps Hong Kong continue to maintain its internationalisation and diversification, providing a huge incentive for companies and talents from all over the world to set up in Hong Kong. ”
Under the new measure, all non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents will be able to apply to China Travel Service (CTA) Hong Kong appointed by the National Exit and Entry Administration for multiple visits to the Mainland (up to 90 days each time) within a five-year validity period without the need to apply for a separate visa to the Mainland. The acceptance, approval and issuance of the card are within the purview of the Mainland authorities. This facilitation arrangement complements the multi-entry scheme announced by the Chief Executive in the 2023 Policy Address, and responds to the expectations of all sectors of Hong Kong society in an all-round way.
The HKSAR Government pointed out that in order to support the country's efforts to build a high-level talent highland, it has been in close communication with the Mainland ministries and commissions to promote the two-way flow of talents from the south to the north and from the north, and has received positive responses from the Mainland. Since the beginning of 2023, the Mainland has successively introduced measures to promote southbound and northbound travel, including the introduction and extension of the GBA Southbound Talent Endorsement to Beijing and Shanghai, the extension of the stay period of business endorsement from seven days to 14 days, and the introduction of a multiple-entry visa to the North, which has facilitated the two-way flow of talent. The HKSAR will certainly make good use of these measures, grasp the special role and mission entrusted to the HKSAR by "One Country, Two Systems", tell the story of Hong Kong well, and make greater contributions to the development of the country.