The Central Government’s decision to allow non-Chinese permanent Hong Kong residents to apply for a Mainland travel permit, announced on the 27^th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China, was cause for celebration. 

Approximately 270,000 non-locals hold permanent identity cards in Hong Kong. The decision was well received by both the business community and the public, especially expatriates who have lived in the city for decades and consider it their home.

The permit, valid for use multiple times over five years, covers all kinds of trips, from family holidays and sightseeing to seminars, business, and exchanges. With self-service checkpoints available, it will greatly improve efficiency at immigration counters and save considerable time. After the announcement, booking slots at the service centre filled up quickly. 

The Mainland’s decision to relax cross-border travel measures is a clear demonstration of its strong support for Hong Kong. It fosters people-to-people exchanges, helping the city better integrate into national development. Importantly, the travel card is not limited to any nationality or sector, welcoming talent and companies from all around the world. This inclusivity acts as an incentive for foreign professionals and businesses with long-term plans to make Hong Kong their base, and is also beneficial for students who want to sign up for exchange programmes and educational tours.

It is also a game-changer for better connectivity with the Greater Bay Area (GBA). With more straightforward entry requirements and procedures, Hong Kong-based foreign firms and expatriates with business interests in the GBA will benefit greatly, especially as the region is undergoing rapid development. 

The Chamber frequently organizes business missions to GBA cities. For example, our recent trip to Shenzhen, Zhongshan and Jiangmen leveraged the newly opened Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge. With the new travel card, more non-Chinese Chamber members can easily participate in such initiatives to pursue investment opportunities and growth.

The permit is among the many measures rolled out by the Mainland since early 2023 to benefit Hong Kong, promote interconnectivity and encourage two-way talent flow. These include expanding the GBA talent exit endorsement to cities like Beijing and Shanghai, extending the length of business visits in Hong Kong from one week to two, and launching multiple-entry northbound visas for foreign workers in Hong Kong. 

All these measures clearly show the Mainland’s support for the city, adding to the many good stories shared with the rest of the world. They also reinforce Hong Kong’s reputation as an international finance hub and strategic gateway to the second-largest economy in the world. 

Patrick Yeung
[email protected]