Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng yesterday expressed gratitude to the Central People’s Government in Beijing, for once again introducing measures to benefit Macau.
The National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced in a statement yesterday that starting July 10, non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau will be eligible to apply for special travel permits to enter the Chinese mainland.
According to the NIA, permit holders will be allowed multiple entries into the mainland within a five-year validity period, with each stay not exceeding 90 days.
Ho described this move as an important manifestation of the country’s wider opening-up policy, which will help support the MSAR’s acquisition of overseas talent, consolidate Macau’s status as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure, and create even more favorable conditions to promote Macau’s appropriate economic diversification.
The MSAR government said in a statement that it will fully assist with the implementation of the policy, work closely with the immigration authorities on security, and coordinate with the Zhuhai customs and immigration departments on relevant matters.
Yesterday’s NIA statement underlined that the new measure that will make it more convenient for non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau to travel to the mainland.
Starting next Wednesday, non-Chinese permanent residents of the two special administrative regions will be eligible to apply for special travel permits to enter the mainland, according to the NIA.
According to the basic laws of the two regions, permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau include both Chinese and non-Chinese nationals.
Holders of these documents will be allowed multiple entries into the mainland within a five-year validity period, with each stay not exceeding 90 days. After completing procedures such as fingerprint collection, the holders can enter through the express clearance channel, according to the NIA.
However, if non-Chinese holders of the new mainland travel permit intend to work, study, or engage in news reporting activities on the mainland, they should apply for visas or residence permits in accordance with the law, the statement said.
The NIA said that it will continue to improve immigration management services to support the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA), and promote the integration of Hong Kong and Macau into the country’s overall development. – Xinhua, MPD
Sample of the new mainland travel card for foreign permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau – Image courtesy of National Immigration Administration (NIA)
