(Tips) How to apply for a Mainland Travel Permit for non-Chinese permanent residents of HK?

On July 1, the 27th anniversary of HKSAR's establishment, the Exit-Entry Administration of the People's Republic of China released an announcement that in order to further facilitate exchanges and exchanges of people between the Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, and to support the better integration of Hong Kong and Macao into the overall situation of the country's development, it will, starting from July 10, 2024, issue permits for travel to and from the Mainland for non-Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macao.

What does the permit look like? What documents do I need to submit? How long does it take to apply for a permit? What are the fees? How to get it? What are the points to note? Take a look below:

Tips

- Where to apply for the first time?

To apply for a permit for the first time in Hong Kong or Macao, the applicant should submit the application in person to the China Travel Service in Hong Kong or the China Travel Service in Macao, which are commissioned by the Exit-Entry Administration of the People's Republic of China.

- What documents are required?

Non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macao should submit the originals and copies of the following documents when applying for the Permit:

(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.

Any other application documents that are necessary.

- What is the processing time?

The processing time for acceptance, approval and issuance of permits is 20 working days.

- How long can I stay in the Mainland?

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.

- How much does it cost?

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.

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.