China has just made it a lot easier to obtain a visa with the new Non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit. It's only available to a select few. Here is a quick guide on how to get one.
Are you planning a trip to Mainland China but don't hold a Chinese passport? If so, you will need to obtain a Non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit in order to enter the country legally. In this guide, I'll walk you through the steps necessary to acquire this essential travel document - it's a quick and easy process. The permit is valid for 5 years and allows multiple entry for short visits - you can't move to China with this visa.
What is a Non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit?
Before we dive into the application process, let's first discuss what exactly a Non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit is. This permit is issued to foreign nationals who wish to travel to Mainland China for tourism, business, or other purposes but do not hold a Chinese passport. It is a vital document that allows non-Chinese citizens to legally enter and travel within Mainland China.
Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility
Are you Chinese? If yes, this isn't for you.
If you have not received permanent residency in Hong Kong, then this also isn't for you.
Generally, foreign nationals who hold a valid passport from a country other than China and are not eligible for a Chinese passport can apply for this permit.
Step 2: Obtain an Access To Information Letter
Visit https://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/records/onlineaccessinfo.htm and fill in the necessary form. You need this letter in order to obtain the visa so don't skip this step. The letter will be sent by registered mail to your address and takes about 7 days, so make sure to factor that in when choosing your visa appointment.
Step 3: Complete the online application form
Once you have confirmed your eligibility and sent off for the Access to Information letter, the next step is to fill in the online application here: https://www.ctshk.com/mep/zh/non-chinese_firstpage/
You probably won't be able to fill in all the information, like name in Chinese, mainland address etc, but that doesn't matter.
Step 4: Find a timeslot with the CTS office.
There are 6 different offices dotted around Hong Kong. I couldn't find any appointments in my closest offices but the CTS place in Shep Mun had space, so I went there. Don't forget you'll need to wait for delivery of your letter before you have your meeting.
Step 5: Prepare your paperwork
You'll need to bring:
Passport
Permanent HKID card
Access to Information Letter
Copies of your passport and HKID card. If you don't bring copies, they can make copies for you at a cost of $6 per page.
Money - The travel permit costs $260, plus the $50 for the photo (cash only for that) and the money for the photocopying.
Passport photograph with barcode. This can be obtained from the CTS offices for $50. Don't wear a white top or they make you wear a shawl and you'll end up looking like a monk. I know this from experience.
Step 6: The Wait Until Collection
After submitting your application, you will need to wait about 1 month for it to be processed. The processing time for a Non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit can vary depending on the volume of applications and other factors. It is advisable to apply for the permit well in advance of your planned travel dates to allow for any potential delays.
Step 5: Receive Your Permit
Once your application has been processed and approved, you will need to travel back to the same CTS office to receive your Non-Chinese Mainland Travel Permit. You need to bring your passport, HKID card and receipt of payment given to you at the previous application.
Good luck and happy travels.
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