Shanghai Issues First Visa for Talents Traveling to Hong Kong and Macao Outside the Greater Bay Area
China News Service, Shanghai – In a significant move towards further facilitating the entry and exit of mainland residents, Shanghai has issued the first visa for talents traveling to Hong Kong and Macao outside the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The visa was granted to Fan Mingchao, the executive deputy director of the Shanghai Arbitration Commission, who urgently needed to attend the 26th International Commercial Arbitration Council Biennial Conference in Hong Kong.
Fan Mingchao’s application was swiftly processed at the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau, where he obtained a talent visa valid for multiple visits to Hong Kong and Macao within one year. This marks a milestone as the first visa of its kind issued outside the Greater Bay Area.
The new policy, implemented by the National Immigration Administration, aims to promote a high level of opening up to the outside world. Six categories of talents working in Shanghai, including outstanding talents, scientific research talents, cultural and educational talents, health talents, legal talents, and management talents, can now apply for multiple visits to Hong Kong and Macao with a validity period ranging from 1 to 5 years based on relevant talent certificates.
In addition to facilitating talents’ travel, mainland residents applying for business visas to Hong Kong and Macao can now submit their applications at any entry-exit management window of the public security bureau in mainland China. The smart endorsement equipment at the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau has been upgraded to streamline the application process for multiple business visas to Hong Kong and Macao.
Furthermore, Shanghai has launched a pilot trial of “full online processing” for some entry and exit documents, allowing residents to apply for replacement of passports and travel passes to Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan online. This innovation aims to provide more convenience and efficiency to mainland residents traveling abroad.
Overall, these new policies and measures demonstrate Shanghai’s commitment to enhancing international exchanges and cooperation, further integrating industry, academia, and research with Hong Kong and Macao, and fostering a high-level talent hub in the region.