In this Sept 3, 2018 photo, Taiwan resident Chen Weiwei displays her newly issued mainland residence card (left) and Taiwan compatriot permit at the Nanjie police station of Gulou Branch of Fuzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau in Fuzhou city, China's Fujian province. (PHOTO / XINHUA)
HONG KONG – The central authorities have not made any indications till date on extending the validity of residence permits issued to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents to facilitate their life on the mainland, according to Hong Kong’s secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs.
Erick Tsang Kwok-wai made the statement on Wednesday while replying to a related question at the Legislative Council.
Since Sept 1, 2018, Hong Kong residents living in the mainland and meeting the relevant criteria can apply for Residence Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents in accordance with the Regulations for Application of Residence Permit for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Residents issued by the State Council in 2018.
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Regarding the situation of the residence permits and related suggestions, the mainland offices will consult Hong Kong people in the mainland and convey their relevant views to the relevant mainland authorities as appropriate.
Erick Tsang, Secretary For Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, HKSAR
Hong Kong residents who have lived in the mainland for more than six months with a legitimate and stable job, a legitimate and stable residence or continuous school attendance are eligible to apply for such residence permits, which are valid for a period of five years.
Asked whether the HKSAR government will consider seeking extension of the validity period of the residence permits to 10 years and setting up of relevant offices for processing such permit applications, the secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs said the mainland offices of the HKSAR government have been following up on the implementation and latest progress of various facilitation policies and measures for Hong Kong people studying, working and living in the mainland.
“The mainland offices will, from time to time, disseminate the latest information on the facilitation measures to Hong Kong people in the mainland through various channels such as websites, WeChat public accounts, emails and seminars, etc, to help them understand the relevant details, and collect their views on the implementation of individual measures for conveying to the mainland authorities and follow-up.”
“Regarding the situation of the residence permits and related suggestions, the mainland offices will consult Hong Kong people in the mainland and convey their relevant views to the relevant mainland authorities as appropriate,” Tsang added.
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Asked about the number of Hong Kong residents holding residence permits and of those whose residence permits will expire this year, the secretary said the mainland authorities have not released the data on this.