SHENZHEN residents can now apply for a year-long multiple-entry permit to Hong Kong, which will allow unlimited visits to the special administrative region but each visit will be capped at seven days, according to the National Immigration Administration. The new regulations also apply to individuals without hukou (permanent residency registration documents) but holding Shenzhen residence permits, allowing them access to multiple-entry travel permits too. The estimated number of eligible Shenzhen residents for these permits exceeds 10 million. Those living in Zhuhai can apply for a weekly permit that will allow them to make one trip a week to Macao for a maximum duration of seven days each time, starting Jan. 1 next year, the regulator said. Residents in the Hengqin Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone can apply for a one-year multi-entry permit to Macao, which will grant unrestricted visits to the special administrative region with each stay valid up to seven days. This decision, announced Friday ahead of the forthcoming peak travel season around Christmas and New Year, has been welcomed by various sectors like tourism, catering, and retail in both special administrative regions. In 2009, the Central Government introduced a policy allowing unlimited visits by Shenzhen residents to Hong Kong within a one-year period, to support the financial hub during the financial crisis then. However, the subsequent surge in mainland travelers overwhelmed entry points and urban areas, straining the relations between visitors and locals. Some travelers even exploited the permits for illicit activities like smuggling, leading authorities to cap such crossings to once a week in 2015. The recent relaxation, nearly a decade later, is being lauded as a boost for local businesses, with many acknowledging mainland consumers’ pivotal role in helping the Hong Kong business sector navigate challenging times. The easing of restrictions coincides with Hong Kong’s efforts to boost tourism by hosting concerts, exhibitions and other mega-events. Officials, including Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee, have sought the central authority’s support to restore previous travel policies to facilitate these plans. Several restrictions have been relaxed this year to enhance mainland residents’ accessibility to Hong Kong and Macao. Notably, residents from 10 new cities can now visit Hong Kong and Macao individually, without being part of tour groups. Moreover, the duty-free threshold for mainland residents returning from Hong Kong has been raised. (SD-Agencies) | 