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Immigration Department announced today (June 9) that a new arrangement for the entry of Taiwan residents visiting Hong Kong would be introduced from next Monday (June 12, 2006).
Under the existing arrangement, holders of "Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents" (台灣居民來往大陸通行證), commonly known as "Tai Bao Zheng" (台胞證), may transit Hong Kong for not more than seven days while they are en route to or from the Mainland. If they intend to visit Hong Kong, they have to obtain an iPermit or Entry Permit issued by the Immigration Department.
Under the new arrangement, other than transitting Hong Kong, holders of a valid "Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents" which bears a valid entry/exit endorsement (入出境簽注) for the Mainland may also visit Hong Kong and stay for up to seven days provided normal immigration requirements are met.
An Immigration Department spokesman said the change would further facilitate Taiwan residents living on the Mainland to visit Hong Kong for business or pleasure. This was because it would no longer be mandatory for them to apply for an iPermit/Entry Permit through the authorised airlines in Taiwan as before. Taiwan residents residing in Taiwan and overseas would also benefit from the change since they had greater flexibility in planning their journeys.
Ends/Friday, June 9, 2006
Issued at HKT 12:21
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