Mainland Chinese with business visas to Hong Kong and Macau will be allowed to stay in both cities for an extra week starting next month, with authorities expecting 100 million businesses to benefit.
The changes are among a series of measures announced by the mainland's National Immigration Administration on Sunday to meet the growing needs of cross-border businesses and improve the business environment in the Greater Bay Area.
A number of measures were announced and came into force on May 6, but the one expected to benefit the largest number of mainland residents was the extension of the stay period for business visa holders to Hong Kong and Macau. . The maximum seven days per trip will be doubled to 14 days.
Wang Lin, deputy director of the agency's immigration department, said the policy change will benefit 100 million privately owned businesses and employees of 30,000 companies registered for multiple business visas. Ta.
The official said at a press conference on Sunday that the policy is aimed at “better meeting the needs” of businesses and allowing them to better explore opportunities.
Could the Hong Kong visa system for Shenzhen residents revive parallel trade?
Could the Hong Kong visa system for Shenzhen residents revive parallel trade?
Mainland residents will soon be able to submit applications for one-time entry business visas at designated counters of public security branches nationwide, instead of applying through local registration offices.
From May 6th, it will also be possible to apply for multiple-entry visas through the “Smart Visa Facility.”
Authorities also announced that the visa system for mainland talent launched in February last year would be expanded to include residents of Beijing and Shanghai, as well as residents of nine cities in the Guangdong Bay area.
Talents from six fields, including scientific research, education, healthcare, law and business, can now apply for multi-entry visas ranging from one to five years, allowing them to stay in Hong Kong and Macau for up to 30 days at a time. become.
The Bay Area is the Chinese government's plan to integrate Hong Kong, Macau and nine mainland cities in southern Guangdong province into an economic powerhouse.
