Hong Kong Business News

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government welcomes today's announcement by Mainland authorities that Mainland residents who travel to Hong Kong with an exit endorsement for a business visit will be able to stay for up to 14 days per visit starting May 6.
 
The Mainland authorities also announced the expansion of application of the exit endorsement for talent to Beijing and Shanghai, which will also take effect on May 6.
 
The Hong Kong SAR Government said that the two new measures will facilitate Hong Kong’s further integration into the national development and achieve concrete results on the solid policy foundation of facilitating the “southbound and northbound” two-way flow of talent.
 
According to the prevailing arrangement, Mainland residents who wish to visit Hong Kong for business purposes are required to obtain an exit endorsement for business visit from Mainland authorities.
 
The enhancement measure has positively responded to the needs of the business sector on the Mainland and in Hong Kong.
 
Furthermore, the Mainland authorities announced that applications for the exit endorsement for business visit will be accepted nationwide. That means they can be processed at any of the relevant offices across the country, irrespective of the applicant’s place of household registration or place of residence.
 
These measures will greatly enhance convenience for Mainland business people and traders who travel to Hong Kong for various business activities, and will promote their exchanges with the business community in Hong Kong.
 
The talent exit endorsement has been implemented in the Mainland cities of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) on a pilot basis since February 20, 2023, with a view to facilitating GBA Mainland talents’ travel to Hong Kong for exchanges and visits.
 
As of mid-April 2024, more than 18,000 arrivals of holders of the talent exit endorsement in Hong Kong as visitors were recorded.
 
Expanding application of the talent exit endorsement to Beijing and Shanghai will attract and bring more Mainland talent to Hong Kong for exchanges.

The country has been actively developing high-quality talent hubs, while the Hong Kong SAR Government has been strenuously promoting the “southbound and northbound” two-way flow of talent.
 
Against such a backdrop, the enhancement measure will complement the initiative announced in the 2023 Policy Address to enable foreigners working in companies registered in Hong Kong to apply for “multiple entry visas” valid for two or more years to the Mainland, thereby reinforcing Hong Kong’s unique role as the country’s international talent hub and the gateway for talent in the bay area.
 
Under the new measure, apart from the expansion of application to Beijing and Shanghai, other existing arrangements of the talent exit endorsement remain unchanged.
 
Mainland residents visiting Hong Kong must hold a valid Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau (EEP), commonly known as “Two-way Permit”, with the relevant exit endorsement for travelling to Hong Kong. 

The application, approval and issuance of the EEP and exit endorsement are within the remit of the Mainland authorities.

The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to maintain close liaison with Mainland authorities, with a view to further promoting the connection and exchanges of talent between the Mainland and Hong Kong, and creating stronger impetus of growth for Hong Kong and the entire bay area.

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