Things you should know before applying for the mainland travel permit for non-Chinese permanent residents

Non-Chinese permanent residents in the two SARs can apply for the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents starting July 10 and here are some of the things you should know before applying for the permit. 

The permit will be valid for five years and the holder may travel to mainland China multiple times, with each stay not exceeding 90 days. The holder will not longer need to provide a fingerprint verification and customs declaration card nor a passport every time he or she travels to the mainland. 

Who can apply?

- non-Chinese Hong Kong and Macau permanent residents who wish to travel to the mainland for short-term purposes, including investment, sightseeing, visiting family, or business purposes

What are the required documents?

- a completed Application Form for Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens) with a recent photo

- a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card (non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents under 11 without a permanent HKID card may provide the Notice of Application for Access to Information issued by the HK Immigration Department, which states that he or she is a Hong Kong permanent resident)

- a valid ordinary passport with a validity period of at least 6 months (excluding passports not recognized by the Chinese government)

- nationality certificates issued within 6 months prior to the date of application, including the Notice of Application for Access to Information issued by the HK Immigration Department

How long does it take to apply and how do I collect the permit?

- permit will be issued within 20 working days after the application is officially accepted 

- permit can be collected at application offices by the applicants with the Application Receipt of Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents (non-Chinese Citizens)

*for applicants under the age of 18, their legal guardians can collect the permit on their behalf

- permit shall be collected within 12 months from the scheduled date of collection

*if they fail to collect it in time without justifiable reasons, they will be deemed to have voluntarily waived the collection and the permit will be canceled

How much does the application cost? 

- fee for first application in Hong Kong or Macau is HK$260

- fee for renewal or replacement in mainland China is Renminbi 230 yuan

Any matters I should pay attention to before making my application?

- applicants shall go to the processing authority (China Travel Service (HK) Ltd) in person to apply for the permit

- applicants under the age of 18 shall be accompanied by their guardians for application

- permit holder shall not work, study, or engage in news coverage activities in mainland China with the permit

- those who intend to carry out the above-mentioned activities shall apply for a separate visa, stay permit, or residence permit from relevant authorities

- those who apply for renewal or replacement of the permit in China may stay legally on the mainland with the original Application Receipt of Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents (non-Chinese Citizens); or 

- they can apply for a one-time exit travel document to leave the mainland and then submit an application for renewal and replacement to China Travel Service (HK) Ltd, authorized by the Exit and Entry Administration of China

Addresses of the CTS Entry Permit Service Centres

Central: 1/F, CTS House, 78-83 Connaught Road

Mong Kok: 2/F, Tak Bo Building, 62-72 Sai Yee Street

Kowloon Bay: Room 202, Enterprise Square Tower 1, 9 Sheung Yuet Road

Tsuen Wan: G/F, 189 Castle Peak Road

Sha Tin: Unit B, G/F, Shatin Fun City, 7 Lek Yuen Street

Tuen Mun: Shop A, 1/F Kar Wah Building, 11-17 Castle Peak Road, San Hui

Phone number: 2998 7888

*all six branches open 9 am to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday

*only the Mong Kok centre opens 9 am to 1 pm, 2 pm to 5 pm on Sundays and public holidays

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