Temporary electronic home return permit available for HK travelers

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan residents can now apply via phone for a seven-day temporary electronic Home Return Permit if their permits are lost or damaged.

The Exit and Entry Administration of the People’s Republic of China announced two measures on Thursday including facilitating the issuance of temporary Mainland Travel Permits for residents of Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan in need.

The first measure allows residents of the three regions who have lost or damaged their Home Return Permits to apply for a seven-day temporary electronic travel permit via phone to facilitate verification by civil aviation and railway authorities to avoid travel delays.

They can log into the National Immigration Administration Government Service Platform 12367, or use WeChat and Alipay Mini-Program Engines. After completing real-name and identity verification, each person can access a temporary travel permit, with the option to apply up to twice a month.

The other measure enables those who need to link their Home Return Permits with their Residence Permits for personal matters to submit a connection inquiry application on the authority’s government service platform.

Alternatively, they can request a paper certificate of the connection results from any public security entry and exit management office at or above the county level, with the verification results valid for 30 days.

This paper or e-document can be used to prove the connection between their Home Return Permits and Residence Permits to relevant departments and companies.

The authority’s representative stated they are always focused on the needs and expectations of residents from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, actively addressing their concerns and challenges, and continuously innovating entry and exit management services.

Starry Lee Wai-king, Hong Kong’s sole delegate to the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, expressed gratitude for the central government, believing that the latest arrangements greatly enhance the convenience for Hongkongers in accessing government services in mainland, including banking and financial services.

Chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, Kingsley Wong Kwok, noted that the temporary travel permit is limited to train and airplane travel within mainland cities, hoping it can be expanded for entry and exit purposes.

(Cheng Wong)