Hotline for lost home-return permits

Cheng Wong

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan residents can now apply through 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 yesterday, 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 permits to apply for a seven-day temporary electronic travel permit through 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.

cheng.wong@singtaonewscorp.com