China Announces New Policies for Entry and Exit Administration

The National Immigration Administration has announced that it will be making further adjustments to its exit and entry management policies and measures from May 15, 2023.

Highlights

1. The applications for group travel endorsements to Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR for residents of the Chinese mainland will now be accepted nationwide. Mainland residents can submit their applications for a group travel endorsement to Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR at any exit and entry administration office of public security organs across the country. The specific application procedures shall be aligned with the requirements prescribed by the place of household registration of the applicant.
2. The mainland residents’ applications for certificates enabling them to visit relatives, work, or study in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR will now be accepted nationwide. The specific application procedures shall be aligned with the requirements prescribed by the place of household registration of the applicant.
3. The validity period of stay for mainland students studying in Macao SAR will be adjusted to align with the duration of their studies in Macao SAR, rather than being limited to a maximum of one year.
4. The fast customs clearance at ports will be fully resumed. In accordance with pre-COVID practices and standard requirements, Chinese citizens holding an ordinary passport of the People’s Republic of China, an Exit-Entry Permit for Traveling to and from Hong Kong and Macao, a Travel Permit for Mainlanders to Enter and Exit Taiwan, as well as those holding a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents (with a validity period of five years), or a valid one-year multiple exit and entry permit can now pass through the fast clearance channel at border checkpoints.
   1. Foreign nationals holding a foreign passport, a Foreigner’s Permanent Residence Card, a foreign electronic passport, or foreign nationals holding a Foreigners Residence Permit of the People’s Republic of China (with a validity period of at least six months), as well as Chinese crew members working on regular international flights, or foreign crew members who are exempted from visas or have obtained flight or employment visas or residence permits for over one year (inclusive), can also pass through the fast clearance channel at border checkpoints.

Erickson Insights

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