Remote Webinar Mar 2024
China pilots endorsement policy for GBA talent in 6 fields travelling to and from HKSAR and Macao SAR

China pilots endorsement policy for GBA talent in 6 fields travelling to and from HKSAR and Macao SAR

閱讀中文版本

The fields include talents for excellence, scientific research, education, health, legal talents and other qualified talents. Once approved, eligible talents can stay upto 30 days for each visit.

To facilitate the talents of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) to engage in more technology and scientific exchange activities, and promote the development of the area, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) of the People's Republic of China has implemented a new policy of issuing endorsements for talents working in the Mainland to travel to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Macao SAR on a pilot basis starting from 20 February 2023.

Under the new measure, six categories of talents who meet the eligibility criteria set by the Mainland authorities can apply to the Mainland authorities for endorsements. They can apply for travel endorsements to the HKSAR and Macao SAR either respectively or together according to their needs.

The validity periods range from five years and three years to one year, depending on the candidate's category, according to the policy. The holders of the travel endorsement for talents can travel to and from HKSAR and Macao SAR multiple times within the validity period, and stay in both cities for not exceeding 30 days during each visit.

The six categories of talents eligible for the application are:

CategoryValidity period 
Excellent talents, either contribute tremendously to the area's development or are much-needed 5 years
Scientific research talents 3 years
Education talents
Health talents
Legal talents, including arbitrators and mediators 1 year 
Other high-level management and technical talents

If holders of the travel endorsement for talents also meet the criteria for the "Pilot Scheme on Immigration Facilitation for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors" as expanded by the HKSAR Government earlier on 1 February 2023, they may also come to Hong Kong to participate in designated short-term activities as visitors without the need to apply for employment entry permits, said the HKSAR Government.


Images / Shutterstock

Follow us on Telegram and on Instagram @humanresourcesonline for all the latest HR and manpower news from around the region! 

Follow us on Telegram and on Instagram @humanresourcesonline for all the latest HR and manpower news from around the region!

Free newsletter

Get the daily lowdown on Asia's top Human Resources stories.

We break down the big and messy topics of the day so you're updated on the most important developments in Asia's Human Resources development – for free.

subscribe now open in new window