NON-HUKOU (permanent residence permit) holders in Shenzhen can expect to apply for travel permits to Hong Kong from Dec. 15, in time to spend Christmas in Hong Kong.

The new policy had initially been scheduled for implementation before the National Day holidays but was postponed.

Applicants will be required to present a residence card that shows they have lived in Shenzhen for at least one year. They must be from outside Guangdong Province and be employed by a Shenzhen enterprise. Fugitives and those who have been caught and repatriated from either Hong Kong or Macao for engaging in illegal activities will not be eligible.

The travel permit will be valid for three months or one year. Permit holders can remain in Hong Kong no more than seven days.

It is estimated that the new program will benefit up to 6.8 million people who will no longer have to return to their hometowns to apply for a Hong Kong travel permit and can decide for themselves where to go in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong tourism officials welcomed the move, saying it would bring more visitors to the territory and help generate more revenue for tourism, retail and catering sectors.

Michael Wu, chairman of the Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents, said if applications proceed as planned, more than 2 million non-hukou holders in Shenzhen would be able to go to Hong Kong for Christmas.

As most of them would be first-time visitors, they would be expected to spend an average of 5,000 yuan (US$732) during their stay, twice the sum spent by Shenzhen hukou holders who visit Hong Kong regularly.

Source:Shenzhen Daily