Home-return permits rush

Ayra Wang

Sino Group chairman Robert Ng Chee Siong was among hundreds of non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents who went to visa centers yesterday when in-person appointments were opened for new mainland home-return permits.

Ng, a 71-year-old Singaporean national, went to the China Travel Service Hong Kong center in Sheung Wan with children Nikki Ng Mien Hua, 44, and the younger Alexander Ng Win Yew.

After submitting his application, the billionaire businessman said the new policy will bring huge benefits to Hong Kong.

"The measure will be tremendous in boosting exchanges between foreigners and the mainland and shows the strong support of the country to Hong Kong under one country, two systems," the tycoon said.

He said the permit will make it more convenient for them to travel between Hong Kong and the mainland.

Nikki Ng, the group's nonexecutive director, said she visits the mainland at least 10 times a year.

"It will be even more convenient to travel to and from the mainland with the new permit," she added.

There are about 270,000 non-Chinese residents in the city eligible to apply.

Permit holders will be allowed to travel to the mainland multiple times during a five-year period and stay there up to 90 days each visit.

A woman named Liu came to the center in Sheung Wan with her young daughter, who had just returned from Britain. Liu said the application process was "smooth and quick."

She said her family has been to the mainland several times for sightseeing.

US businessman Ambos, a Hong Kong resident for over two decades, said the application procedure only took him 20 minutes. He said the permit will "make his life easier" as he needs to travel to the mainland for business every week.

Some went to the center to inquire about the procedure. Among them was George Elledge, who has been living in Hong Kong for 45 years and came with his wife to ask what documents were needed.

"You no longer need to apply for a visa and don't have to pay for the visa, and in the past you have to wait for the visa for several days," Elledge said.

"But now with the travel permit, you can just wake up in the morning and say you want to go to China, and then go."

Some went to service centers in Mong Kok and Kowloon Bay. Aaron, an Australian, said the new permit is "fantastic" as it allows him to "jump across the border any time" and enjoy a longer trip.

Non-Chinese residents who want to apply for a permit must make an appointment on the China Travel Service website before they can go to one of the six designated service centers in person to file their application.

They are also required to obtain nationality certificates issued within six months before the date of application, including the Notice of Application for Access to Information issued by the Immigration Department in Hong Kong, which is usually available within 10 working days.

Upon successful application, permits will be issued within 20 working days.

China Travel Service asked applicants to avoid peak hours.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com