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On 1 July 2024 the PRC's National Immigration Administration announced that non-domestic Permanent Resident status holders residing in the Hong Kong SAR would be permitted to obtain a Mainland Travel Permit, colloquially known as the Home Return Permit card. Our Managing Partner Stefan Schmierer investigates: the below are his experiences in the form of a 2-part practical guide for navigation of the application process.
Now with a new update on how to register your fingerprints! See part two in the below article.
Author: Stefan Schmierer, Managing Partner
Part one: applying and registering for the Mainland Travel Permit
The Hong Kong SAR, as part of Mainland China is administered under the “One Country – Two Systems” framework. In theory this framework permits Hong Kong to largely operate several of its own institutions, Customs being one of them. A practical consequence is that there is a hard boundary between Hong Kong and Mainland China. For people to cross this boundary, in either direction, visas or permits are required. For Hong Kong citizens holding a Hong Kong passport, a permit card similarly sized as the Hong Kong ID card can be applied for, allowing easier travel to Mainland China and back, without carrying a passport and without applying for an additional visa. This permit is commonly known as the Home Return Permit.
For travellers not holding a Hong Kong passport, lengthy applications are needed to apply for a Chinese visa. If obtained, boundary crossings involved the lengthy manual process of passport and visa inspection by a Mainland Immigration officer, which could, depending on the number of fellow travellers in the line take anywhere between 15 to 45 minutes.
Recently, several nationalities were added to a ‘visa-free’ list, reducing the complexity of crossing the boundary at least somewhat, please see our articles about that here and here.
The latest development related to easing boundary crossings came on 1 July 2024 when the PRC's National Immigration Administration announced that foreigners holding Hong Kong Permanent Resident status can now also apply for the Home Return Permit, independent of their nationality.
Our firm’s Managing Partner Stefan Schmierer decided to take this to the test, here is his recount of the experience:
“When I read the news in the South China Morning Post” about the possibility to apply for a Home Return Permit, I immediately decided to apply as it would save a lot of time heading across the boundary, being allowed to use the E-channel with this permit. Even though I hold an APEC Travel Card, using this card to enter the Mainland still took considerable amounts of time at the immigration counter.”
Two step application: online first, link can be found here.
“Following some research, I found that that the Permit would be issued by the Exit and Entry Administration of the PRC through China Travel Service (CTS) in Hong Kong, the state-owned Chinese travel agency. The process to apply involves two sequential steps: first apply online through a registration form, then once informed to do so, apply for a physical appointment at CTS. The link to the online application turned out to be very hard to find: although numerous online articles talk about the new Permit, none actually provide a link to the form. After searching and trying around on the Chinese language webpage of CTS Hong Kong, I was finally able to locate the form. It can be found here:
The form to be filled in is rather lengthly but it seems that even though certain fields seem to be mandatory, several of them turn out not to be; for example, no alerts came up when I left blank the fields asking for a Chinese phone number or an emergency contact in Mainland China….
Overall, it turned out that filling in the form is relatively straightforward. Scans / images of your passport and Hong Kong ID card are required attachments for the submission. When the form was sent off, I immediately received an email confirming the submission and stating I would get feedback within the next two days whether my submitted information would be accepted. As mentioned, only once this confirmation comes in, should one visit their webpage again and apply for a physical appointment at CTS.”
Remember: obtain a document from the Hong Kong Immigration Department on time
Important: prior to your in-person appointment at CTS, you must obtain an additional document from the Hong Kong Immigration Department, called “Application for Certificate of Registered Particulars”. This document needs to be presented at the physical appointment at CTS. It takes the Immigration Department between 7 to 10 calendar days to issue and mail this document, so factor this in when applying for the Home Return Permit.
Here is the link to apply for this form:
NB: this Hong Kong document is not yet required to file and submit the online application for the Home Return Permit).
Update 1: from the message displayed on the webpage of the Hong Kong Immigration Department when clicking on the above link, it appears that the guidance has changed. The message states that now a ‘Certificate of Registered Particulars’ is no longer needed, instead a document called ‘Notice of Application for Access to Information’ must be requested. It takes the Immigration Department up to 10 days to produce this document, please factor this time into your Home Return Permit application process. This update is also confirmed in the instructions shown on the CTS application page.
Update 2: following a very helpful comment on a LinkedIn post I made about this article, it is useful to mention that the Immigration Department sends the 'Notice of Application for Access to Information' by registered post. It is hence advisable not to plan any travels around the time you are expecting the document.
Step two: applying for the in-person appointment at CTS
“As promised, I received an Email from CTS two days later confirming that the information I submitted was sufficient and my application was accepted. Subsequently, I once again logged into the CTS webpage with my application and passport number and was able to book a slot at the CTS office in Sheung Wan. Since I was still waiting for the document from the Hong Kong Immigration Department mentioned above, I chose an appointment slot 10 days ahead. The requested document arrived soon after and I was ready to visit CTS.”
A very Chinese experience: bring copies of everything to CTS
“For someone who has never visited CTS before, I found the near complete absence of English signage striking. I headed to the only English sign in the entire office above one of the counters saying “Information”. Since I had no idea where to go and what to do with my documents, I queued up at this counter, and indeed, following a brisk checking of the supplied documents, the counter’s clerk seemed satisfied enough and provided me with a waiting number.
When I asked the counter’s clerk what to do next, it appeared she was unable to express herself in English. Thankfully her colleague did, who shared that I should simply wait until my number was called and use the waiting time to get a new passport picture taken, as the one I brought with me was not acceptable. Luckily, on the opposite side of the room CTS provides passport photo booths.
The requirements for the photo seem to be very strict, since there were assistants in front of each booth making sure that the hair is in good order for the photo - rather simple with my haircut, but people with longer hairstyles needed quite some time to get theirs in order. Once the photo is done, it is immediately checked by the computer system and subsequently uploaded to the CTS application systems. I also received four print outs and I still have three passport pictures left for a rather reasonable 50 Hong Kong Dollars.”
“After waiting for another 20 minutes, my number was called. I proceeded to the indicated counter where the clerk took all my documents, cut out one of the passport photos and checked everything against the online application, which was apparently on his screen.”
NB: bring copies of all documents to the appointment, as CTS will charge an additional HK$3 per needed copy.
“Upon completion of the clerk’s checking, I paid the application fee of HK$260, after which I received a receipt to be used at a self-service counter at CTS to collect my Home Return Permit once it is ready in about a month's time."
Altogether, the process was simple, smooth and straightforward with the most challenging parts being the navigation of Chinese webpages and the CTS office. Since my initial experience however, it appears that CTS is making improvements there, which should streamline the process.”
How can Ravenscroft & Schmierer help with your travel needs?
Our extensive experience in Hong Kong and the Greater China region allows us to efficiently and expertly advise our clients on many topics related to global mobility. We help clients set up their businesses by arranging their incorporation, investment or employment visa applications, due diligence investigations and much more. We look forward to hearing more about your challenges, our team is here to help and can be reached by phone on +853 2388 3899 or on contact-us@rs-lawyers.com.hk.
Update 3: from the earlier mentioned helpful comment on the LinkedIn post I made about this article, I learnt that upon first use when crossing the boundary, you will still need to register i.e. 'activate' the card. This will still take some time, but if all goes well, should only have to be done once.
Part two: registering fingerprints and activating the Mainland Travel Permit card
For decades, Hong Kong was known to Mainland Chinese as a shopping heaven. The attraction of Hong Kongs absence of VAT and other taxes, the assurance that purchasing in Hong Kong provides quality, both in services as well as the genuineness of products and last but not least the availability of several luxury brands in Hong Kong that simply not available yet in the Mainland. Day in, day out, Mainland tourists flocked to Hong Kong via land crossings, ports or the Hong Kong airport for shopping, providing a stable support to the Hong Kong economy for all these years.
However, few things ever stay the way they are, and so in recent years, the Mainland saw 'some' changes.
However, few things ever stay the way they are, and so in recent years, the Mainland saw 'some' changes. Luxury taxes were cut back or done away with completely to stimulate domestic consumption, and it appears that Chinese shops, restaurants and other service providers made a big leap forward in quality. And what turned out to be very impactful: those brands missing from the Mainland shopping landscape, set up shop and opened their doors to Mainland shoppers who now no longer needed to venture into Hong Kong for this.
This development has not gone unnoticed by Hong Kong residents. With the Mainland fully reopened post-pandemic, there is an increasing trend of Hong Kong people using their weekends and public holidays to “Travel North”, spending their time and money in Shenzhen or other cities in the Guangdong area. Travellers are benefiting from much lower prices for goods in supermarkets and restaurants, enjoy their stay in hotels for a fraction of the costs of Hong Kong hotels and even visit hospitals, doctors and dentists in Mainland China to save money. “Traveling North” seems to have a substantial impact on the Hong Kong economy. Restaurants, bars, hotels and other industries complain that the absence of consumption by the tourists from Mainland is compounded by the severely reduced local consumption as a result of the substantial number of Hong Kong residents spending their money on the other side of the boundary.
“Traveling North” seems to have a substantial impact on the Hong Kong economy.
As we have reported prior on our website in articles here and here, the Mainland has opened up visa-free travel to several nationalities, increasing its attraction for visits. And as our Managing Partner Stefan Schmierer recounted in part 1 of this guide, the most recent bid to increase the attraction to visit the Mainland was made by offering the possibility to non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong to obtain the Mainland Return Permit, colloquially known as the Home Return Permit. In part one of his guide you could read about his experience applying for this permit. In the meantime, he has obtained it and will hereby share with you the next steps needed to fully activate it.
Having heard all about the “Travel North” trend, I decided to experience it for myself on a recent sunny Saturday morning, since I needed to register my fingerprints for my Mainland Travel Permit anyways. The other day I had obtained my credit card sized permit following my application and was informed that to activate it, I would have to present myself to a Mainland immigration officer so register my fingerprints, which could only be done on the Chinese side of the boundary.
...the number of travellers on this Saturday was just too much...
Upon my arrival at the boundary crossing of Lok Ma Chau that Saturday morning, I could immediately feel and see the trend in action: Hong Kong double decker busses arrived one after another, all of them packed with travellers. Hong Kong MTR trains arrived every 90 seconds spilling out hundreds of eager visitors to Shenzhen and beyond. I joined my fellow travellers and lined up at the Hong Kong eChannel with my Hong Kong ID card for the customary departure from the territory. Using the eChannel in Hong Kong is usually merely a 1-to-2-minute formality with short and fast moving queues: insert the Hong Kong ID card, scan the thumb or face print and the gates will open. However, despite its efficiency, the number of travellers on this Saturday was just too much and it took about 10 minutes to go through; there is clear incentive to consider making the journey north a bit earlier in the morning next time.
This was the easier part of the boundary crossing, since now came the Mainland Chinese part, for which I wanted to use my new Mainland Entry Permit. I crossed the river that separates Hong Kong from the Mainland and saw the queues for the Chinese immigration. Since my fingerprints were not yet registered, using the Mainland eChannel was ruled out. Consequently, I had the choice between 2 Channels: one for foreigners (the traditional Channel where you line up for international passport inspection by an immigration officer) and the second, which is the manual Channel for Hong Kong and Chinese travellers. I chose the latter, trusting that my new Entry Card would work.
Success! So far a quite simple and straight forward process.
After waiting in line for some minutes, it was my turn to present my Travel Card to the Chinese immigration officer. It took her some time to check the data on her screen, she then asked me whether it is the first time for me to use the card, which I affirmed. Then she asked for my Hong Kong telephone number, briefly confirmed with her superior and then waved me through, into Mainland China. Success! So far a quite simple and straight forward process.
I did not intend to stay long in the Shenzhen area, but did not want to leave without at least getting some impressions. What was immediately noticeable was that the boundary arrival and departure area is well-prepared for the influx of Hong Kong travellers. Several bank branches are available to Hong Kong people to directly manage their investments in Mainland China. Other shops in the area included restaurants, massage parlours and a McDonalds.
These shops offered a perfect opportunity for me to try out whether the payment apps WeChat and Alipay, which I had set up in Hong Kong, would work in Mainland China. I had tried it unsuccessfully some months ago during a visit to the Mainland then and was curious if there had been a change meanwhile. International travellers to the Mainland these days need to be aware that meanwhile all payments are more or less cashless and mostly done via local payment apps like WeChat Pay or Alipay.
International travellers to the Mainland these days need to be aware that meanwhile all payments are more or less cashless and mostly done via local payment apps like WeChat Pay or Alipay.
And so, I went into a small convenience store, grabbed a bottle of soda for HK$ 4 (price in Hong Kong: HK$ 15), showed my payment code to the cashier, and indeed, a “peep” confirmed the payment was done by deducting the money directly from my Hong Kong credit card, to which the payment app is linked. For lunch, I purchased 500 grams of grilled pork for HK$ 30 (price in Hong Kong: HK$ 80), which I of course paid cashless (I didn’t bring cash anyways). Lastly, a visit to the local McDonalds, where I was impressed by the large menu with many products unavailable elsewhere – which I found out by translating the menu as it was in Chinese only. Surprisingly, it appears that international fast-food is nearly equally priced as in Hong Kong, with a Big Mac Menu costing around HK$ 45, a little more than in Hong Kong.
Now I was prepared to leave the Mainland again and cross back into Hong Kong, but not before registering my fingerprints with the Mainland authorities to use at the Mainland eChannel during my next visit, or so I thought. I found the counter for the fingerprint registration within the boundary crossing facility relatively easily. A sign on the wall provided instructions how to proceed, but, once again, only in Chinese. Thankfully, while I was doing my best studying the sign, a fellow traveller appeared, pressed a button on the machine next to the entrance, got a ticket with a number on it, and shortly thereafter, was called to the counter. Naturally, I did the same and within minutes my number was shown on a screen.
I was instructed to wait some more minutes and would then be able to use the Mainland eChannel already, which was a surprise.
When I presented myself at the designated counter, a Chinese immigration officer with very good command of English instructed me on the relatively straightforward procedure: look at the camera, take fingerprints, sign a declaration, and that is it, the fingerprint registration was done. I was instructed to wait some more minutes and would then be able to use the Mainland eChannel already, which was a surprise.
Following these instructions, I inserted my Mainland Travel Card into the eChannel console, the machine opened, asked for my fingerprints and the gate opened instantly! The rest was formality, just walk over the bridge again, use the Hong Kong eChannel and back I was in the Special Administrative Region!
All in all, it was a very smooth and successful trip, making travels to Mainland China with the Entry Card much easier than using a passport in the traditional line for foreigners. But I was at least as impressed by the sheer numbers of Hong Kong people crossing the boundary, traveling north on that Saturday morning.
It is clear to me that the Hong Kong government as well as the Hong Kong hospitality industry must come up with some smart new ideas to curb this outflow of people and cash and increase the domestic consumption in Hong Kong again.
Disclaimer: This publication is general in nature and is not intended to constitute legal advice. You should seek professional advice before taking any action in relation to the matters dealt with in this publication.
For specific advice about your situation, please contact:
Managing Partner
+852 2388 3899
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