23,000 mainland Chinese obtain multi-entry 30-day talent visas to visit Hong Kong

Central authorities launched the scheme in February 2023, allowing mainland talent in science, technology, innovation, culture and education sectors to apply for multi-entry visas valid for one to five years that granted stays of up to 30 days each in Hong Kong and Macau.

In comparison, the duration of stay is typically seven days for other types of exit endorsements.

Beijing began launching a string of more flexible visa measures between Hong Kong and the mainland in early 2023.

Other policies include an extension of the duration of stay for business visits to Hong Kong from seven days to 14, the introduction of multi-entry “northbound” visas for foreign employees working in the city and a five-year multi-entry mainland travel permit for Hong Kong’s 270,000 permanent residents who hold foreign passports.

Peng said more than 30,000 requests had been filed for the new permit for Hongkongers with foreign passports since applications launched on July 10.

“Permanent residents holding foreign passports are the builders and contributors to Hong Kong society. Granting them the permits is a significant reform measure that fully and accurately implements the ‘one country, two systems’ principle,” Peng said.

She said the new permit had actively responded to the new needs and expectations of Hong Kong society, and comprehensively accelerated institutional-level opening up in the field of entry and exit.

Peng added that around 312,000 Hong Kong residents had applied for home return permits to the mainland since October 2020, when Beijing launched the policy to simplify the replacement and reapplication process.