The period of stay in Hong Kong and Macao for mainlanders holding business visas will be extended to two weeks, according to China’s immigration authorities announcement on Sunday (Apr 28).

Starting next Monday (May 6), mainland residents who travel to Hong Kong with an exit endorsement for a business visit will be able to stay for up to 14 days per visit, double the initial 7-day stay.

The applications for the business visa will also be accepted nationwide and can be processed at any relevant offices across China, irrespective of the applicant’s place of household registration or place of residence.

Separately, the talent exit endorsement will be expanded to Beijing and Shanghai, taking effect on May 6.

The measures will grant six categories of talents – including outstanding talents, scientific research talents, education talents, healthcare talents, legal talents and other talents – from Beijing and Shanghai for multiple entries to Hong Kong and Macau, with each stay not exceeding 30 days. 

The talent exit endorsement has been implemented in the cities of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) on a pilot basis since February in 2023 to facilitating mainland talents’ travel to Hong Kong for exchanges and visits.

The SAR government welcomed the measures and said the arrangement would greatly enhance convenience for mainland traders who travel to the city for various business activities and promote their exchanges with the business community in Hong Kong.