HONG KONG: Foreign business groups and expatriates in Hong Kong have welcomed a new immigration facilitation arrangement for non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents. This initiative aims to enhance connectivity between Hong Kong and mainland China, reinforcing the city’s strategic position as a gateway between mainland China and international markets.
Marking the 27th anniversary of Hong Kong’s Special Administrative Region establishment, the central government announced on Monday (July 1) that non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents will soon qualify for card-like mainland travel permits, akin to those for Chinese Hong Kong and Macao permanent residents.
The new measure aims to streamline immigration clearance procedures for non-Chinese permanent residents traveling to mainland China.
Johannes Hack, President of the German Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, praised the step-by-step approach taken by mainland and Hong Kong authorities to enhance the overall travel experience.
However, Hack noted that the benefits of the new measure extend only to non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents who have lived in Hong Kong for more than seven years, excluding those who have been residents for less than seven years.
“The real game-changer would be extending this ease of travel to all non-Chinese Hong Kong residents through a separate permit,” Hack told China Daily. “This would uniquely position Hong Kong as a gateway to mainland China.”
In response to inquiries from China Daily, Inaki Amate, Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, expressed optimism that the new measure would encourage more European nationals holding permanent Hong Kong identity cards to increase business and leisure travel to mainland China.
“We anticipate this being the first of many measures aimed at attracting business travelers and tourists to the mainland, boosting traffic across the border and benefiting several economic sectors,” Amate said.
David Cottam, an expatriate and Hong Kong permanent resident, welcomed the message conveyed by the new measure, emphasizing that it signals a welcoming attitude towards expatriates on the Chinese mainland, rather than mere tolerance.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong highlighted in its statement to China Daily, “This initiative will not only simplify travel for expatriates in Hong Kong with business interests in the Greater Bay Area, but also enhance Hong Kong’s strategic importance as an international business hub for understanding and investing in the mainland.”
The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce noted, “While obtaining a multiple entry visa to mainland China is straightforward, travelers still face time-consuming passport clearance procedures. The new measure is set to significantly reduce these clearance times.”
All non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents can apply for the new card through China Travel Service (HK), operating on behalf of the mainland’s Exit & Entry Administration. The card allows multiple entries to mainland China within a five-year validity period, with each stay not exceeding 90 days, eliminating the need for a separate entry visa.
The Exit & Entry Administration will commence issuing the new cards from July 10.