How To Apply For The Mainland Travel Permit For Non-Chinese Hong Kong Residents

Your next visit to China has now been made even easier! On July 1, 2024, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced a new measure that will significantly enhance travel convenience for non-Chinese and expat Hong Kong permanent residents. Starting July 10, residents will be eligible for a card-type document – the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese Citizens) – which will streamline their clearance at China’s control points, facilitating business, travel, and family visits.

What does this mean exactly?

This new measure allows non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents to apply for the Mainland Travel Permit through China Travel Service in Hong Kong, authorized by the Exit and Entry Administration of P.R. China. The permit, valid for five years, facilitates multiple entries to China, with each stay not exceeding 90 days, eliminating the need for a separate visa. The Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese Citizens) features a 9-digit unique card number, a photo, personal details, and information about the holder’s Hong Kong permanent identity card. These permits can be used for short-term purposes such as investment, visiting relatives, tourism, business, seminars, and exchanges.

How To Apply

You must submit the following documents:

1. Completed application form with two recent photos.
2. Valid Hong Kong or Macao permanent identity card.
3. Valid passport with at least six months’ validity.
4. Nationality certificates issued within six months prior to application as well as the Notice of Application for Access to Information issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department
5. Other necessary documents.

Your permit will be issued within 20 working days after the application is accepted and the first permit costs HK$260.

So if you’ve been planning a trip to Shenzhen or beyond, now’s the time!