Beijing broadens cross-border travel measures covering Macau

China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) has unveiled a new set of measures to further streamline cross-border travel, a move expected to strengthen Macau’s integration within the Greater Bay Area.

Effective tomorrow (Nov. 5), the NIA’s “talent endorsement” scheme, previously limited to Beijing, Shanghai, and the Greater Bay Area, will now cover the Yangtze River Delta, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and all pilot free trade zones.

The program grants professionals in fields such as scientific research, healthcare, education, and law multiple-entry permits between the mainland, Macau and Hong Kong.

Valid for up to five years, the endorsements allow stays of 30 days per visit.

The reforms also benefit professionals based in Shenzhen’s Hetao Innovation Zone, who can now obtain three-year multi-entry passes to Hong Kong and Macau without additional verification.

To enhance regional and international mobility, the 24-hour visa-free transit policy will be extended to 10 more airports, while five new ports including the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Port and Hengqin Port will join the 240-hour visa-free list, bringing the total to 65.

The NIA will also expand online renewal services for travel documents and allow Macau visitors holding family visit permits to renew them locally through China Travel Service offices. Lv