Non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit: A Guide for Hong Kong and Macao Residents on How to Apply

Thinking of travelling from Hong Kong to Shenzhen or other cities in mainland China? Starting from July 2024, permanent residents in the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Region can apply for a non-Chinese mainland travel permit with validity of five years, during which they can stay as long as 90 days. This permit simplifies entry procedures for non-Chinese permanent residents to the mainland, making your travel to Mainland China more convenient and time-efficient.

Here’s a helpful guide for Hong Kong and Macao residents on how to apply for the Non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit! But that’s not all — we’ll also introduce Wise, a trusted international money transfer service, perfect for individuals and businesses looking to send money from Hong Kong to Mainland China and other countries. More on that later!

What is a non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit?

So before we dive into the process to apply for a non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit, let’s first explore what exactly a non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit is.

As the name implies, this permit serves as a travel authorization that grants you entry into Mainland China. Think of it as an alternative to the standard visa-free policy — but with a key advantage. While the visa-free option typically allows a stay of up to 30 days, this permit extends your stay to as long as 90 days. That means you will have more time to fulfill short-term purposes. such as tourism, family visits, business activities, investments, seminars, or cultural and professional exchanges.

Specifically, the permit is designed for individuals who are not residents of Mainland China but want to travel there. If you frequently visit the mainland, the Non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit can indeed be an especially valuable and convenient option.

Who can apply for a non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit?

The non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit is open to all nationalities and age groups, as long as you are a non-Chinese permanent resident of Hong Kong or Macau and wish to travel to Mainland China for short-term purposes. If you are under 18, you must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

Eligible applicants can use this permit to travel to Mainland China for short-term activities.

What documents do I need to apply for a non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit?

Before applying for a non-Chinese mainland travel permit, make sure to have these documents ready:

• Online application for Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Non-Chinese Citizens) with your personal information on CTS.
• One full-face coloured photo with white background without a hat or head covering. Make sure to include a qualified inspection receipt of the photo.
• A valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card
• A passport with a validity period of at least six months
• Valid nationality certificates issued within 6 months prior to the date of application.

How much does it cost to apply for a non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit?

You will need to pay 260 HKD if it is your first time applying. If you want to renew or replace your existing travel permit, you will pay 230 RMB.

How to apply for a non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit?

The process to apply for a non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit is relatively easy. Here is the step-by-step guide on how to apply for a non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit:

Step 1: You will need to apply to the Hong Kong Immigration Department for the “Online Application for Access to Information with Personal Data”. You can access this website here.

Step 2: Complete an online application access on the official website of China Travel Service (CTS) Entry Permit Service HK Limited. Provide your personal information (like photos of your Hong Kong Permanent Resident Identity Card and passport), choose the service center and time slot, and finish the appointment application.

Step 3: If you successfully make an appointment, arrive at the designated document service center 30 minutes before the appointment time. You will need to collect the tag number and wait in line to pick up your permit. You are good to go! Make sure that you collect your permit within 12 months of the scheduled collection date. Or else, your permit will be cancelled.

As a Non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit holder, you can go through immigration clearance through E-channels if you register fingerprint collection procedures at either Futian (Lok Ma Chau) or Luohu (Lo Wu) Border Crossing.

How long does it take to apply for a non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit?

It will take up to 20 working days to process your non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit. CTS Entry Permit Service reserves the right to extend the processing time beyond 20 working days, depending on individual circumstances and the overall volume of applications at the time.

That’s everything you need to know about the Non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit. By now you have a clear direction on how to apply for a Non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit, especially if you are Hong Kong and Macau permanent residents. The permit is one way to make your travel easier and more convenient, at a fairly low cost!

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Sources last checked on 10-Jun-2025.