HKSAR Government welcomes implementation of new measures to support expansion of opening up and high-quality development by Mainland authorities
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The talent exit endorsement has been implemented in the Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) on a pilot basis since February 20, 2023, with a view to facilitating specified categories of GBA Mainland talents' travel to Hong Kong for exchanges and visits. Its scope of application was expanded to Beijing and Shanghai in May 2024. As of October 2025, more than 74 000 arrivals in Hong Kong were visitors holding the talent exit endorsement. On the solid policy foundation of promoting "southbound and northbound" two-way talent flow, the current measure of expanding the application of the talent exit endorsement will attract and bring more Mainland talents to Hong Kong for exchanges, thereby enhancing Hong Kong's attractiveness in pooling talents and strengthening its unique role as the country's international talent hub.
On the other hand, the HKSAR Government also welcomes the implementation of "facial recognition" intelligent exit-entry clearance by the Mainland authorities at various ports in the Chinese Mainland that are open for navigation and passage with Hong Kong. This arrangement allows travellers to complete clearance without presenting their physical travel documents, making cross‑boundary travel more convenient and efficient. The HKSAR Government will continue to enhance clearance efficiency at the control points in Hong Kong and improve visitors' experience, capitalising on these measures.
The HKSAR Government welcomes the implementation of a series of measures at the HTCZ SZ Park, which facilitate Hong Kong-Shenzhen innovation and technology collaboration and the efficient cross-boundary flow of factors of production. The Government will continue to actively collaborate with the Mainland authorities, including introducing innovative and convenient clearance arrangements at the Hong Kong Park, thereby promoting efficient and convenient cross-boundary travel for innovation and technology talents, and further contributing to the high-quality development of the GBA.
At the same time, the HKSAR Government also welcomes the Mainland authorities to further enhance the 240-hour visa-free transit policy by adding four ports connecting Hong Kong as the entry ports under the policy, thereby attracting international visitors to take Hong Kong as their entry stop or transit point in their multi-destination travel itineraries to our country, and fully leveraging Hong Kong's position as an international tourism hub.
The HKSAR Government will continue to maintain close liaison with the Mainland authorities, with a view to facilitating exchanges through more innovative policies and enabling Hong Kong to further integrate into the national development, thereby creating stronger impetus of growth for Hong Kong and the entire GBA.
Ends/Monday, November 3, 2025
Issued at HKT 20:22
Issued at HKT 20:22
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