Residents in the nine mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) can apply for a new “talent visa” to Hong Kong and Macao starting 20 February.
The National Immigration Administration (NIA) said that under the new visa arrangement, visitors will be granted a stay of up to 30 days in either city.
High-end talents under six categories working in the GBA are eligible to apply for the new entry permits. They are talents who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the region; scientific research talents; education talents; health talents; legal talents; and other talents recognised by local authorities.
Eligible candidates can apply for travel endorsements to either Hong Kong or Macao or both, with the validity periods ranging up to five years, depending on the candidate’s category.
The aim of the new policy is to facilitate talents in the region to participate in more technology and scientific exchange activities and promote the overall development of the 11-city cluster with the full resumption of normal cross-border travelling this month.
It will inject new momentum into the socio-economic development of mainland China, as well as Hong Kong and Macao, added the NIA.
Currently, the existing travelling permits for individual tourists and business visits from mainland China allow a maximum stay of seven days in Hong Kong, while visitors for family reunion purposes can stay up to 90 days, and longer duration can be approved for training and studying in the city, The Macau Post Daily reported.
