The Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Resident (Non-Chinese Citizens) was introduced on 1 July 2024[6]. It is issued to foreign nationals with permanent residency in Hong Kong or Macao for short-term personal travel to Mainland China. Holders can enter Mainland China and stay for up to 90 days per entry. However,cardholders are not permitted to work,study,or engage in activities such as news reporting and voting while in Mainland China. The card is valid for 5 years.[7][8][9] Holders of the permit may,having fulfilled certain conditions,use the e-Channel when entering or exiting mainland China.
Appearance and eligibility
The front of the current permit for Chinese citizens (since 2019)
The reverse of the current permit for Chinese citizens (since 2013)
The front of the current permit for non-Chinese citizens (since 2024)
The reverse of the current permit for non-Chinese citizens (since 2024)
Starting from 2 January 2013,a new version of the permit was introduced with an updated design which includes a biometric chip,similar to those used on biometric passports. The permit's numbering system was also revised;the former 11-digit format was restructured into a 9-digit number accompanied by a separate 2-digit issuance sequence number. An English description was added,which reads:"This card is intended for its holder to travel to the Mainland of China." The Simplified Chinese name of the holder,as shown on their Hong Kong or Macau Identity Card,appears on the front of the permit,whereas the original Traditional Chinese name appears on the back. The issuing authority of the permit was changed from the Public Security Bureau of Guangdong to the Bureau of Exit and Entry Administration of the Ministry of Public Security.
The Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents is issued to:[11][12]
Permanent residents of Hong Kong or Macau born outside these regions who possess Chinese nationality by birth,descent,or naturalization.[15]
The permit is issued by the Exit and Entry Administration of the Ministry of Public Security. Applications for the Mainland Travel Permit must be submitted at the China Travel Service branch in Hong Kong,Macau,or Mainland China. Renewals may be processed in any of these locations,but it is not possible to apply for or renew the permit outside of these regions. Hong Kong and Macau permanent residents residing abroad can be issued Chinese Travel Documents,albeit with a shorter validity period.
As of 1 July 2024,a similar permit known as the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Resident (Non-Chinese Citizens) was made available to non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau,allowing the holder to enter Mainland China for a period of up to 90 days. Holders of these permits may engage in tourism or business but are not allowed to pursue study or employment in mainland China.[16] Permits issued to foreign permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau have card numbers starting with HA and MA respectively,and are visually different[clarification needed In what way?] from the ones issued to Chinese nationals. They are labeled in both simplified Chinese and English,and include a note that indicates the maximum duration of stay (90 days) allowed for foreign nationals on the reverse.[17]
Most permits for adults are valid for 10 years. Permits for minors under 18 years old are valid for five years. Temporary permits are issued for certain reasons,such as when a person's permit has expired and the replacement has not arrived. There have been instances of limited single and double-entry home visit permits issued due to political reasons.[citation needed] Permits issued to foreign nationals are valid for 5 years.
History
Before the handover of Hong Kong and Macau,"home-return permits" were issued to any ethnic Chinese people in those territories.
Prior to 1999,those permits were named Home-visiting Certificate for Compatriots from Hong Kong and Macau and were passport-like booklets. These booklets were considered inconvenient because they were relatively cumbersome to carry around. Furthermore,the booklets were also found to be inefficient because they could only be used at staffed border crossing checkpoints where an entry stamp would be placed by an immigration official. Frequent border crossing residents,such as lorry/truck drivers,were required to replace the booklet every few months due to the lack of pages for entry and exit stamps. The booklets were eventually phased out.
In 1999,the permit was changed into its current credit card-like form,and the official name was changed to the current name,following the handover of both territories. A new version came to circulation in 2013 with enhanced security features and an embedded biometric chip.
Previous version of Home Return Permit,issued from 1999 to 2012 (for adults).
Previous version of Home Return Permit,issued from 1999 to 2012 (for children under 18).
Reverse side of the previous version of Home Return Permit,issued from 1999 to 2012
From left to right:HKSAR passport,Home Return Permit (cancelled),and the 1999 version of the permit
Requirements when staying in Mainland China
Holders of the standard Home Return Permit are able to freely enter Mainland China for all purposes within the validity of their travel document,regardless of whether the point of origin is Hong Kong,Macau,or overseas.[18]
Holders of the Home Return Permit (non-Chinese citizens) may enter Mainland China for a period of up to 90 days for the purpose of business or tourism;holders of these permits are not allowed to pursue study or employment in mainland China.[16]
Holders who have lost their Home Return Permit in Mainland can apply for a temporary replacement at the CTS branch in Huanggang. They will,however,need to apply for a new Home Return Permit on return to Hong Kong or Macau with the CTS.
Mr. Pun has also emphasized that the fact that Yiu Hon holds a Home Visit Permit shows that the Chinese Government recognises Yiu Hon has the status as a Chinese national. I do not understand the principle on which the Chinese Government issued Yiu Hon a Home Visit Permit. However,under the principle of one country,two systems,the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will not be subject to the decision of the Chinese Government on the above question. The Court shall decide whether or not Yiu Hon is still a 'Chinese national' in accordance with the Chinese Nationality Law and related provisions. The fact that Yiu Hon holds a Home Visit Permit has no direct bearing or significance on the matter in question.
Home Return Permits issued to foreign nationals state their nationality.
Issues faced by foreign passport holders
Besides BN(O) status,British citizenship and Chinese nationality,many residents of Hong Kong have obtained citizenship in countries such as Australia,Canada,or the United States. If they have not made a "declaration of change of nationality" at the Immigration Department of Hong Kong,they are regarded by the Chinese authorities as Chinese nationals. In this case,they can use their Home Return Permits to enter Mainland China instead of their foreign passports. Under the master nationality rule,persons who hold Chinese nationality are not entitled to foreign consular protection in China. As of 2025,permanent residents of Hong Kong who do not have Chinese citizenship are allowed to apply for a permit to visit the Mainland China for up to 90 days,for everything other than to work,study,or claim benefits.[spelling?]
Legal framework
The issuance of the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents is grounded in the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China,adopted on 30 June 2012. This law authorizes the administration of exit and entry for both citizens and foreigners,and establishes the authority of the Ministry of Public Security and its Exit and Entry Administration branch to regulate travel documents such as this permit.
Further elaboration on travel documents,including differentiated protocols for Hong Kong and Macao residents,derives from administrative regulations outlined by the National Immigration Administration (NIA),which assumed comprehensive responsibility for immigration and border control in 2018. China Briefing
Application process
Applications must be submitted in person at designated China Travel Service (CTS) branches in Hong Kong,Macao,or at municipal-level exit‑entry administration bureaus on the mainland.
Required documents for non‑Chinese citizens include:
A completed and accurately filled application form with a recent photo.
Valid Hong Kong or Macao permanent identity card. Renewals or replacements may also involve the original application receipt when applying from the mainland.
Technical &biometric features
Although specifics on the 2013 biometric upgrade aren’t available in these sources,current permits are electronic card‑type documents embedded with biometric and machine‑readable features consistent with ICAO standards.
Security and automation benefits include eligibility for e‑Channel entry,simplifying immigration checks without manual inspection or arrival cards.
Statistical data
In the first half of 2025,the NIA reported issuing 1.161 million Mainland Travel Permits to residents of Hong Kong,Macao,and Taiwan,a reflection of frequent cross‑border travel demand.
As of mid‑2022,public security authorities on the mainland had processed 75,000 renewals or replacements of the permit,indicating strong continued usage.
Additionally,verification services for such permits reached more than 40 million residents,demonstrating high adoption. National Immigration
Controversies &criticism
The non‑Chinese citizen version of the permit,rolled out on 10 July 2024,restricts holders to short-term travel, each stay limited to 90 days,with no work,study,or journalistic activities permitted.
The South China Morning Post highlighted both practical advantages and symbolic significance of the policy shift,noting that "as many as 270,000 adult permanent residents" stand to benefit,with self‑service e‑Channel access enhancing convenience.
Meanwhile,Reuters reported the same restrictions and emphasized that alternative visas or permits are required for disallowed activities.
Incidents
Ching Cheong
In 2005,Ching Cheong,a Hong Kong-based journalist of the Singapore-based newspaper The Straits Times,was arrested by the Chinese Ministry of State Security and was accused of stealing "state secrets". The correspondent entered Mainland China with his Home Return Permit while holding a BN(O) passport. Since he is both a Chinese national,a British National (Overseas),as well as a permanent resident of Singapore,organisations like the Hong Kong Journalists' Association and Reporters Without Borders,urged the British Foreign SecretaryJack Straw to intervene. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it had no plans to comment on the case. British officials have indicated that if there were any representations to be made,they would take place behind the scenes. A London spokesperson confirmed:"We can offer consular assistance but we cannot interfere in the legal affairs of another country." The Chinese Central People's Government never recognized any British National (Overseas) status,and stated that its nationals from Hong Kong cannot enjoy foreign consular protection on Chinese soil on the basis of holding foreign passports. The Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom stated that "Mr Ching is a British National (Overseas) passport holder and we have pressed the central authorities for information on the circumstances of his arrest and will continue to seek consular access as a matter of urgency,which so far has been denied." There were other cases that the British Government was asked to assist BN(O) passport holders detained in Mainland China.[23][24]
Lee Bo
In 2016,issues regarding the disappearances of Lee Bo,the owner of Causeway Bay Books,were raised by British Foreign SecretaryPhilip Hammond as Lee is a British citizen with a Home Return Permit who was later confirmed to be kidnapped from Hong Kong by Chinese law enforcement officials. Hammond demanded that the Chinese government launch a thorough investigation regarding the breach of independent jurisdiction rights enjoyed by Hong Kong. The Chinese Foreign MinisterWang Yi responded by saying that China would refuse to do so because Lee is,"first and foremost,a Chinese citizen (national)" under the Chinese nationality law and the Basic Law of Hong Kong,therefore the British government would have no say on internal affairs of China. This case came under international attention because,unlike Ching Cheong,Lee was neither arrested nor had any charges against him in Mainland China,and his British citizen status,unlike Ching's BN(O),was recognized by the Chinese government.[25]
Albert Ho,who had his Home Return Permit cancelled by the Central government,ran for Chief Executive in 2012.[citation needed] During the election campaign,Henry Tang pledged that if he became the next Chief Executive,he would talk to Beijing to secure a new permit for Albert Ho.[30]Leung Chun-ying gave a more generic response that did not answer to Ho specifically,and said if he became the next Chief Executive,he would welcome anyone to seek his help.[30]
Umbrella movement
Three members of the Hong Kong Federation of Students led by Alex Chow,who had booked air tickets to Beijing to put their case in front of the national leadership during the 2014 Hong Kong protests,found out through airline agents that Chinese authorities had revoked their Home Return Permit,effectively banning them from traveling to Mainland. No official notification of the revocation or explanation of the grounds for their cancellation was ever made to the holders.[31]
Comparison with other documents
For Taiwan residents,the Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents serves a similar function,it’s also a biometric,card‑sized document that allows indefinite stays in Mainland China for all purposes,including work and study.
By contrast,overseas Chinese who are not eligible for the Home Return Permit receive a Chinese Travel Document,which generally has shorter validity and more restrictive entry conditions.
1 2 Tse Yiu-hon v. HKSAR Passports Appeal Board,HCAL1240/2000; the applicant was found on appeal to be a Chinese national, but in overturning Yeung's judgment the court did not disturb this point.
↑ FmcoprcHKhrc. " FmcoprcArchived 2005-11-19 at the Wayback Machine ." Office of the Commissioner of Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved on 2007-04-03.
↑ HK Human Rights Monitor. " HKhrmArchived 2005-03-12 at the Wayback Machine ." Rule of Law Protector should not be left unprotected. Retrieved on 2007-04-03.
↑ BBC News. " BBCArchived 2005-11-19 at the Wayback Machine ." Pro-democracy politician in Hong Kong gives up British citizenship. Retrieved on 2007-04-03.
↑ HK Human Rights Monitor. " HKhrmArchived 2005-07-21 at the Wayback Machine ." Report on 1998 Legislative Council Election. Retrieved on 2007-04-03.
See also the identity and travel document templates for China and Hong Kong
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