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Non-Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents
Enjoy Clearance Convenience with New Permit
Starting from 10 July 2024, non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents would be able to apply to the China Travel Service (Hong Kong) Limited, entrusted by the Exit and Entry Administration of the country, for the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens)(the Permit), which allows them to travel to the Mainland for multiple times within a five-year validity period (with a stay not exceeding 90 days for each visit), without the need to apply for a separate visa to enter the Mainland. The new measure has greatly enhanced non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents' clearance convenience at control points of the Mainland, facilitating their visits to the Mainland for business, travelling, and visiting relatives, etc.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, previously said, "Many non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents have deep roots in Hong Kong. They have been working diligently and making significant contributions to the development of Hong Kong. Among them, foreign talents working in Hong Kong are particularly keen to better seize the historic opportunities of our country's rapid development, especially envisioning greater involvement in the building of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a world-class bay area. We firmly believe that international talent of Hong Kong companies can enjoy the long-awaited clearance convenience for northbound travel with this card. This 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."
Dr Rizwan Ullah, a Kowloon City District Council member who is of Pakistani descent, commended the convenience of clearance brought about by the Permit. He said this measure has been greatly welcomed by the ethnic minority community. Since the announcement of the new measure, his office has successfully assisted around 800 people, including Hong Kong permanent residents of Pakistani, Indian, Nepalese and Filipino descents, in submitting application for the Permit.
Dr Ullah pointed out that prior to the introduction of the new measure, for many ethnic minorities who are not holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passports, travelling to the Mainland for sightseeing or business purposes could be a hassle. Apart from having to spend time queuing up for visa application beforehand, immigration clearance would also take considerable time. Notwithstanding their identity as permanent residents of Hong Kong, they still had to use the channels for foreigners, fill out arrival cards and make declarations, etc. "In the past, when I travelled to the Mainland, it would take at least half an hour for immigration clearance. But with the new Permit, the whole process has become much more convenient and simpler."
Malik, a friend of Dr Ullah's, works in garment manufacturing and often travels with his colleagues to the factory in Dongguan. The day before the interview, he had just returned to Hong Kong from Dongguan. He said that the new Permit had greatly facilitated his business trips to the Mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area. "As a foreign passport holder, I had to queue up and fill out arrival cards together with other foreigners for immigration clearance. It would take me a lot of time. Sometimes I felt embarrassed because my colleagues had to wait for me. With the new Permit, crossing the boundary has become much more convenient and it has saved me much time."
Khan, another ethnic minority friend of Dr Ullah's, said, "Many of my friends and I enjoy going to Shenzhen for leisure, and the new Permit has made crossing the boundary much more convenient. What's more, this new measure is a recognition that we are part of Hong Kong and of the country, which has strengthened our sense of belonging."
The new Permit not only highlights Hong Kong's unique status under "One Country, Two Systems", but also greatly facilitates non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents to seek greater opportunities in different cities of the Greater Bay Area as well as in the wider Mainland market. This will help Hong Kong maintain its international character and diversity as our distinctive advantages, and attract global enterprises and talents to pursue development in Hong Kong.