Non-Chinese permanent residents of Macao and Hong Kong will be eligible for a Mainland Travel Permit from July 10, according to an announcement published this morning by the Exit and Entry Administration of China.
Non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macao can voluntarily apply for a mainland travel permit. Holders of the permit can travel to the mainland multiple times within the five-year validity period of the permit, with each stay not exceeding 90 days. The implementation of this new policy will further promote extensive exchanges and facilitate business and trade investments, cultural tourism, educational research, and other activities.Announcement of the Exit and Entry Administration of P.R. China on Implementing Policies to Facilitate Permanent Residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region to Travel to the Mainland of China
No. 6 (2024)The Exit and Entry Administration of P.R. China has decided to issue the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese Citizens) (hereinafter referred to as the “Permit”) among permanent residents in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region who are non-Chinese citizens (hereinafter referred to as non-Chinese Hong Kong and Macao permanent residents) from July 10, 2024, to further facilitate exchanges between mainland Chinese people and people in Hong Kong and Macao, and to help Hong Kong and Macao better integrate into the overall national development. It is hereby announced as follows:
Non-Chinese Hong Kong and Macao permanent residents who travel to the mainland of China for short-term purposes such as investment, visiting relatives, tourism, business, seminars and exchanges may apply for the Permit through China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited and China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd. authorized by the Exit and Entry Administration of P.R. China. The Permit approved and issued by the exit-entry administration is valid for five years, within which the holder may travel to the mainland of China multiple times, with each stay not exceeding 90 days. The holder shall not work, study or engage in news coverage activities in the mainland of China with the Permit.For policy details, please call 12367 (Service hotline of the Exit and Entry Administration of P.R. China).It is hereby announced.
Exit and Entry Administration of P.R. China
July 1, 2024
Guidelines for Application for Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens)
I. Permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region who are non-Chinese citizens (hereinafter referred to as non-Chinese Hong Kong and Macao permanent residents) and desire to travel to the mainland of China for short-term purposes such as investment, visiting relatives, tourism, seminars, and exchanges may apply for the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese Citizens) (hereinafter referred to as the “Permit”).II. Non-Chinese Hong Kong and Macao permanent residents who apply for the Permit for the first time shall submit their application in person to China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited and China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd. authorized by the Exit and Entry Administration of P.R. China. In case the Permit expires, is damaged or lost, or if the personal particulars of the holder changes, the holder may apply for renewal or replacement of the Permit to China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited, China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd., or the exit-entry administration of the public security department at or above the municipal level in the mainland of China. Applicants under the age of 18 shall be accompanied by their guardians for application.III. To apply for the Permit, Non-Chinese Hong Kong and Macao permanent residents shall submit the originals and copies of the following documents:(I) Application Form for Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens) filled in completely and accurately, with the applicant’s recent photo pasted;(II) Valid Hong Kong or Macao permanent identity card. A non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent resident under the age of 11 who has not obtained a Hong Kong permanent identity card should provide the Notice of Application for Access to Information issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department, which states that he/she is a Hong Kong permanent resident. Guardians accompany an applicant under the age of 18 shall present the original identity certificates, such as passports and proof of guardianship;(III) A valid ordinary passport (excluding passports not recognized by the government of China), with a validity period of no less than 6 months;(IV) Nationality certificates, including the Notice of Application for Access to Information issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department and the Certificate of Personal Data issued by the Macao Identification Services Bureau. The nationality certificate must be issued within 6 months prior to the date of application;(V) Other necessary application documents.The processing authority shall protect the personal information submitted by the applicant in accordance with the law.IV. The Permit will be issued within 20 working days after the application officially accepted. Applicants shall collect the Permit at application offices. For applicants under the age of 18, their legal guardians can collect the Permit on their behalf.V. Permit holders may travel to the mainland of China for multiple times within the 5-year validity period of the Permit, with each stay not exceeding 90 days. When staying in the mainland of China, they shall register with the police in accordance with the law.VI. If the Permit is about to expire or is damaged, lost, stolen or need to amend personal particulars when the holder is in the mainland of China, he/she should apply for renewal or replacement of the Permit, and is permitted to stay in the mainland of China with the application receipt, for those who desire to return to Hong Kong or Macao immediately, can apply for a one-time exit travel document to leave the mainland of China and then apply for renewal or replacement to China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited or China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd. Permit holders who need to stay for more than 90 days in the mainland of China due to force majeure or other justifiable reasons, shall apply for an extension of stay up to 90 days to local exit-entry administration of the public security department at or above the municipal level in the mainland of China.VII. If the permit holder loses his/her non-Chinese Hong Kong or Macao permanent resident status, or commits fraudulent acts during the application of the Permit or other relevant offences, the competent authority will cancel his/her Permit or announce the invalidation of the Permit.VIII. In case of change in his/her passport number, contact information, emergency contact person and other relevant information, the holder shall report to the application processing authority within 30 days.IX. The Permit is valid for five years. The fee for first application in Hong Kong or Macao SAR is HKD 260, while that for renewal or replacement in the mainland of China is CNY 230.
Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens) Sample and Description
The Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese Citizens) (hereinafter referred to as the “Permit”) is an electronic card-type travel document. The card has a 9-digit number, which is unique to each person and will remain unchanged for life. Card numbers beginning with HA are issued to non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents, while those beginning with MA are issued to non-Chinese Macao permanent residents.
The Permit bears the holder’s photo, name, date of birth, gender, nationality, validity period, issuing authority, card number, and serial number on the front side, and the Hong Kong or Macao permanent identity card number, Chinese name, and duration of stay on the back side.FAQQ1: Who can apply for the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese Citizens) (hereinafter referred to as the “Permit”)? How can they submit the application?A: Permanent residents in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region who are non-Chinese citizens (hereinafter referred to as non-Chinese Hong Kong and Macao permanent residents) and who wish to travel to the mainland of China for short-term purposes such as investment, visiting relatives, tourism, business, seminars, and exchanges may apply for the Permit through China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited and China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd., authorized by the Exit and Entry Administration of P.R. China. The Permit approved and issued by the exit-entry administration of the public security department is valid for five years. During its validity, the holder may travel to the mainland of China multiple times, with each stay not exceeding 90 days. To apply for the Permit for the first time, non-Chinese Hong Kong and Macao permanent residents shall submit their applications to China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited and China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd. To renew or replace the Permit, the holder may apply to China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited, China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd., or the exit-entry administration of the public security department at or above the municipal level in the mainland of China.
Q2: What documents are needed to apply for the Permit?A: To apply for the Permit, the originals and copies of the following documents are required: (I) Application Form for Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens) filled in completely and accurately, with the applicant’s recent photo pasted; (II) Valid Hong Kong or Macao permanent identity card. A non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent resident under the age of 11 who has not obtained a Hong Kong permanent identity card may provide the Notice of Application for Access to Information issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department, which states that he/she is a Hong Kong permanent resident. Guardians accompany an applicant under the age of 18 shall present the original identity certificates, such as passports and proof of guardianship; (III) A valid ordinary passport (excluding passports not recognized by the government of China), with a validity period of no less than 6 months; (IV) Nationality certificates, including the Notice of Application for Access to Information issued by the Hong Kong Immigration Department and the Certificate of Personal Data issued by the Macao Identification Services Bureau. The nationality certificate must be issued within 6 months prior to the date of application; (V) Other necessary application documents. The processing authority shall protect the personal information submitted by the applicant in accordance with the law.Q3: What are the requirements for applying for the Permit?A: (I) Applicants shall go to the processing authority in person to apply for the Permit. Applicants under the age of 18 shall be accompanied by their guardians for application. (II) The holder shall not work, study, or engage in news coverage activities in the mainland of China with the Permit. Those who intend to carry out the above-mentioned activities in the mainland of China shall apply for a visa, stay permit, or residence permit from the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or the Macao Special Administrative Region, or from the exit-entry administration of the public security department at or above the municipal level in the mainland of China in accordance with laws and regulations. (III) Those who apply for renewal or replacement of the Permit in the mainland of China may stay legally in the Mainland with the original Application Receipt of Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese Citizens), or they can apply for a one-time exit travel document to leave the Mainland and then submit an application for renewal and replacement to China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited or China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd. authorized by the Exit and Entry Administration of P.R. China.Q4: How long does it take to apply for the Permit? How much does it cost, and how does the applicant collect the Permit?A: (I) The Permit will be issued within 20 working days after the application officially accepted. (II) The Permit is valid for five years. The fee for first application in Hong Kong or Macao SAR is HKD 260, while that for renewal or replacement in the mainland of China is CNY 230. (III) Applicants shall collect the Permit at application offices by themselves with the Application Receipt of Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese Citizens). For applicants under the age of 18, their legal guardians can collect the Permit on their behalf. (IV) Applicants shall collect the Permit within 12 months from the scheduled date of collection. If they fail to collect it in time without justifiable reasons, they will be deemed to have voluntarily waived the collection, and the Permit will be canceled.Q5: Can the Permit holders use the E-channel for immigration inspection when entering and exiting the mainland of China?
A: In accordance with the Announcement of the Ministry of Public Security on Retaining Fingerprints and Other Biological Information of Entry Foreigners in 2017, Permit holders can go through immigration clearance through E-channels after completing fingerprint collection procedures at ports of entry. In addition, Permit holders are not required to fill in the Arrival Card when entering the mainland of China with the Permit.
Q6: What are the matters needing attention during the stay in the mainland of China with the Permit?A: (I) During their stay in the mainland of China, the Permit holders shall register with the police in accordance with laws. (II) For those who apply for renewal or replacement of the Permit in the mainland of China, their duration of stay will be calculated from the entry time with the original Permit. (III) To stay for more than 90 days in the mainland of China due to force majeure or other justifiable reasons, the Permit holders shall apply for an extension of stay up to 90 days to local exit-entry administration of the public security department at or above the municipal level in the mainland of China.Q7: What should one do if his/her Permit is lost, stolen or damaged?A: If the Permit is lost or stolen, or if the information on the Permit is incomplete or the integrated chip cannot be read due to damage, the holder shall submit an application for replacement of the Permit to China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited or China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd. authorized by the Exit and Entry Administration of P.R. China, or the exit-entry administration of the public security department at or above the municipal level in the mainland of China. To apply for replacement due to lost or stolen, the applicant shall sign a statement of loss. For those who apply for renewal or replacement in the mainland of China, can stay legally with the original Application Receipt of Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese Citizens) before collecting a new Permit.
Q8: What should one do if his/her Permit is about to expire or has already expired?A: If the validity period of the Permit is less than 6 months, the holder may submit an application for renewal to China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited or China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd. authorized by the Exit and Entry Administration of P.R. China, or the exit-entry administration of the public security department at or above the municipal level in the mainland of China. If the validity period of the Permit is less than 20 working days or has expired, the holder may apply for the renewal of the Permit to China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited or China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd. The current Permit shall be submitted when applying for renewal.
Q9: What should the holder do if his/her personal particulars or other information have changed?
A: If the holder’s name, gender, date of birth, nationality or any other personal particulars changes, the holder shall submit an application for renewal of the Permit to China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited or China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd. authorized by the Exit and Entry Administration of P.R. China, or the exit-entry administration of the public security department at or above the municipal level in the mainland of China. The applicant shall present the updated Hong Kong or Macao permanent identity card, passport, necessary documents and current Permit at the time of application. In case of any change in passport number, contact information, emergency contact person, or other information, the applicant shall report such change to China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited or China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd. authorized by the Exit and Entry Administration of P.R. China, or the exit-entry administration of the public security department at or above the municipal level in the mainland of China within 30 days.
Q10: What should one do to learn more about the specific policies for the application and use of the Permit?A: For more information about the Permit, please call 12367 (official service platform of the Exit and Entry Administration of P.R. China); or consult China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited (website: www.ctshk.com/mep/zh, Tel: (+852) 34603297, (+852) 34603176, (+852) 34603267) in Hong Kong and China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd. in Macao (website: www.cts.com.mo, Tel: (+853) 28700888).
Source: National Immigration Administration, Global Times