In a significant development, Hong Kong permanent residents are now eligible to apply for the Mainland China Traveling Return Permit. This new opportunity is expected to open a range of travel and business possibilities for Hong Kong residents, strengthening ties between the two regions.
The Mainland China Traveling Return Permit, also known as the “Home Visit Permit,” allows residents of Hong Kong to travel freely to Mainland China and return without the need for additional visas. Previously, this privilege was only extended to residents of Mainland China, Macau, and Taiwan. Hong Kong permanent residents had to apply for individual visas whenever they wished to travel to Mainland China, which often proved to be a cumbersome process.
The current situation and the way forward
Currently, permanent residents (who are not Chinese nationals) need to apply for a visa to visit the Mainland, which takes 3-4 days to process. Visa fees vary according to nationality – with the average fee ranging from HK$230 for a single-entry visa to HK$690 for a one-year multi-entry visa. These residents are currently required to use the manual channel at mainland ports of entry with their foreign passports. They must provide fingerprints and fill out entry cards each time they cross the border.
Starting from 10 July 2024, non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau will be able to obtain a five-year travel permit with multiple entries to the mainland for short-term purposes such as investment, visiting relatives, tourism, business, seminars and exchanges. However, they may not engage in work, study or newsgathering activities.
Permit holders will be able to spend up to 90 days for each stay in Mainland China and enjoy self-service clearance at control points once they complete procedures (such as having their fingerprints taken). The eligibility for a five-year travel permit is not determined by the number of stars on Hong Kong identity cards, which identify whether person’s residency is permanent and if they are of Chinese descent. There is no restriction on the nationality or occupation of applicants and the move might impact around 300,000 permanent residents of non-Chinese nationality living in Hong Kong.
Application process
Eligible residents can apply for the permit through China Travel Service (Holdings) in both Hong Kong and Macau. It takes 20 working days for the permit to be issued after the application is approved. The first application will cost HK$260, with possible renewals and/or replacements also to be processed in Mainland China.
Those who apply online will be able to schedule a counter service appointment date within 28 days from the date of submission. Applicants will need to provide their permanent resident ID cards, passports recognised by the Chinese government and proof of nationality from the Immigration Department – this can be obtained by making an application to the Immigration Department.
The introduction of this new permit is a significant step towards enhancing the integration and cooperation between Hong Kong and Mainland China. It is expected to foster closer economic and cultural ties, as well as facilitate the exchange of ideas and knowledge between the two regions.
Visa-free policy
Last year Beijing already implemented a visa-free policy for passport holders from 12 countries (Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg) as an experiment lasting until end of 2025. These passport holders are allowed to enter Mainland China and stay for up to 15 days for business, tourism, family visits and transit purposes. Australia, New Zealand and Poland were added to the list starting from this year. It is unclear if the policy will be extended further.
Benefits of the new policy
The intention is for the Mainland China Traveling Return Permit to benefit Hong Kong residents in various ways. Firstly, it should streamline travel procedures, making it easier and more convenient for people to visit Mainland China for both personal and business purposes – providing a boost to tourism as well as enhancing trade and investment connections between both jurisdictions.
Additionally, the permit should make it easier for Hong Kong permanent residents to maintain connections with their relatives and friends residing in Mainland China.
Furthermore, the permit should enhance educational opportunities for Hong Kong residents as Mainland China is home to numerous renowned universities and educational institutions, and with the permit, Hong Kong permanent residents will have greater access to these institutions for short-term academic pursuits and research collaborations.
The introduction of the Mainland China Traveling Return Permit for Non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents marks a significant milestone in the relationship between Hong Kong and Mainland China. It is an opportunity for benefits to Hong Kong residents including travel, business, education, and cultural exchanges.
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This article is for information purposes only. Its contents do not constitute legal advice and readers should not regard this article as a substitute for detailed advice in individual instances.
