The government of China has announced that, effective July 10, 2024, foreign permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macao are eligible to apply for Mainland Travel Permits.
- First-time applicants must submit the application in person to China Travel Service (Holdings), Hong Kong Limited, or China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd., two companies authorized by the Exit and Entry Administration of China to offer the relevant services.
- If a travel permit has expired or been damaged or lost during its holder’s stay in the Chinese mainland, an application for replacement or reissuance can be submitted in person to the exit-entry administration of a public security organ at or above the municipal level (in a region with districts) in mainland China. Alternatively, the holder can first apply for an exit permit, leave the Chinese Mainland, and apply for the replacement or reissuance at China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited or China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd.
A holder of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents can enter and exit mainland China multiple times within the five-year validity period of the permit, with each stay period not exceeding 90 days.
According to the regulations, holders of Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, who have submitted their fingerprints at exit-entry ports and completed other necessary procedures, may use fast lanes to enter and exit mainland China.
Holders are prohibited from working, studying, or participating in activities like news interviews in mainland China. Individuals planning to engage in any of the aforementioned activities must apply for visas or stay/residence permits at the commissioner’s offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in Hong Kong and Macao SARs, or the exit-entry administrations of the public security organs in the Chinese mainland in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.