Non-Chinese permanent and non-permanent Hong Kong residents can apply for the new visas to the mainland. File photo: AfriHKanews
The visa rules for non-Chinese Hong Kong residents have been further ease by mainland authorities on Wednesday as more people would be able to apply for multiple-entry visas that allow successful applicants to visit of up to six months.
This year July, mainland authorities announced a five-year card for non-Chinese permanent Hong Kong residents, allowing them to travel to the mainland. The card allows stays of up to 90 days and use of the speedier e-gates at immigration.
The Commissioner's Office of the Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong said that with immediate effect, both permanent and non-permanent residents of Hong Kong who are non-Chinese can apply for the visas of up to five years, with each trip lasting a maximum 180 days.
"This is to facilitate personnel exchanges between Hong Kong and the mainland, and support Hong Kong’s integration into the overall development of the country," the office said in a statement.
It said that this applies to applicants going to the mainland for business, travel, visiting family members, as well as cultural and academic exchanges.
Applicants will not need to submit a receipt for return transport tickets and hotel bookings. They also will not have to get their fingerprints recorded again if they underwent the procedure during a previous visa application.
The office added that the new policy does not apply to foreign domestic workers.
中國當局進一步放寬香港非永久性居民的簽證規定
週三，內地當局進一步放寬了針對非中國籍香港居民的簽證規定，更多人將能夠申請多次入境簽證，成功的申請人可以訪問最多六個月。
今年7月，內地當局宣佈為非中國籍香港永久居民發放五年卡，允許他們前往內地旅遊。 該卡允許停留長達 90 天，並可在移民處使用更快捷的電子門。
外交部駐港特派員公署表示，即日起，香港永久性居民和非永久性居民中的非中國籍人士均可申請最長五年的簽證，每次行程最長為180天。
該辦公室在聲明中表示：“這是為了便利香港與內地人員往來，支持香港融入國家發展大局。”
通知稱，適用於赴內地商務、旅遊、探親、文化學術交流等的申請人。
申請人無需提交回程交通票和飯店預訂的收據。 如果他們在先前的簽證申請中經歷過該程序，也無需再次記錄指紋。
該辦公室補充說，新政策不適用於外籍家庭傭工。
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