China has introduced a 5-year travel permit for permanent, non-Chinese residents of the semi-autonomous regions of Hong Kong and Macau. Starting Wednesday, 10 July, foreign citizens will be able to enter China for stays of up to 90 days per visit.
The motive behind the new permit is to promote integration and foster closer ties in trade, investment and cultural exchange between China and the Greater Bay Area. It also marks a significant development for non-Chinese permanent citizens, offering increased ease of movement. The decision also comes as an incentive to attract more international talent to the south side of China and help restore Hong Kong’s global appeal following the 2019 street protests and their critiqued handling of the Covid pandemic.
“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… We firmly believe that international talent of Hong Kong companies can enjoy the long-awaited clearance convenience for northbound travel with this card”, said the region’s Chief Executive John Lee on Monday, 1 July, on the 27th anniversary of the state’s official handover from the UK to China, known as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day.
Non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macao will be eligible for a Mainland Travel Permit from July 10, according to an announcement published by the Exit and Entry Administration of China. The document allows visa-free travel to the Chinese mainland. pic.twitter.com/NcPin5s4Ez
— Discover GuangZhou (@Discover_GZ) July 1, 2024
The new permits can be obtained through the China Travel Service, which will handle applications via the China Exit and Entry Administration. Applicants must have resided in Hong Kong or Macau for at least seven years. The visa is for travel purposes only, therefore does not grant entry to those looking to enter China to study, work, or carry out news reporting. Separate permits need to be requested for these purposes.
China has recently settled a similar agreement with Australia and New Zealand for a five-year travel permit offering multiple-entry visas for tourism and business. This is part of a broader strategy to enhance international accessibility to the country. Over the last year, 15-day visa-free travel agreements with 12 other countries have been trialled and extended until the end of 2025.