China has announced new policies allowing residents of Shenzhen and Zhuhai in Guangdong Province to make more frequent visits to neighboring Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions. The measures, unveiled on Friday, aim to enhance mobility and foster deeper integration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Starting December 1, 2024, permanent residents of Shenzhen and holders of residence permits in the city will be eligible to apply for multi-entry permits to Hong Kong. These permits allow unlimited visits within a year, with each stay capped at seven days.
From January 1, 2025, permanent residents of Zhuhai will be able to apply for a “one trip per week” permit for Macao, enabling them to visit once per calendar week for up to seven days per trip.
Additionally, beginning January 1, 2025, permanent residents and residence permit holders in the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin will be eligible for multi-entry permits to Macao. This permit allows unrestricted visits for up to seven days per stay within a one-year validity period.
The Greater Bay Area, encompassing Hong Kong, Macao, and nine cities in Guangdong, is a significant hub for innovation, finance, and trade, connecting dynamically with global markets. Home to around 86 million people, the region’s total economic output last year matched that of Canada.
These new policies are expected to facilitate greater people-to-people exchange and economic collaboration within the region, supporting the continuous development of the Greater Bay Area.
Reference(s):
China expands multi-entry permits for HK, Macao to neighboring cities
cgtn.com
