China travel cards to open to non-Chinese permanent HK residents

Non-Chinese permanent residents will soon be eligible for a Mainland Travel Permit card to enable speedy clearance at self-service gates when travelling across the Chinese border.

The announcement coincided with Monday’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day, marking 27 years since the Handover to China. Cards will be issued from July 10.

In a Monday statement, Chief Executive John Lee thanked Beijing and said the move will allow foreign talent to do business in the Greater Bay Area of southern China more easily: “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.”

The card will not be limited to any nationality or industry, Lee said, adding that the measure highlights the city’s “international character and diversity.”

Applicants may contact the China Travel Service, who will help apply for a card via China’s Exit and Entry Administration. Successful applicants may travel between the mainland and Hong Kong multiple times – for 90 days at a time – without the need for a separate visa.

The card will be valid for five years, with the application, approval, and issuance handled by the Chinese authorities.

Talent drive

Hong Kong has seen an exodus of talent following the 2019 protests, Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and enactment of two security laws.

Last month, it was revealed that the city had received 251 applications for its newly launched investment migration scheme, with most applicants residents of the South Pacific island nation Vanuatu and Guinea-Bissau, in West Africa.

It was part of a further push to attract high-net-worth individuals to Hong Kong following the introduction of talent attraction schemes.

China is currently trialling visa-free entry for French, Polish, Australian, German, New Zealand, Italian, Spanish, Malaysian, and Dutch travellers. They may stay in the country for 15 days.

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