HKSARG warmly welcomes Central Government's resumption and expansion of multiple-entry Individual Visit Scheme for Shenzhen
AGovernment spokesman said today (November 29) that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) warmly welcomes and is grateful for the Central Government's support in resuming the multiple-entry Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) for Shenzhen permanent residents and implementing a new arrangement to expand the multiple-entry IVS to Shenzhen residence permit holders on December 1, allowing them to visit Hong Kong more conveniently and freely, further adding new momentum to Hong Kong's tourism, catering, retail, and other industries.
Currently, Shenzhen only allows its permanent residents to visit Hong Kong under a "one trip per week" IVS. The resumption of the multiple-entry IVS removes restrictions on the number of visits for IVS holders. Starting from December 1, eligible individuals will be expanded from Shenzhen permanent residents to Shenzhen non-permanent residents holding residence permits. According to published statistics, the resumption and expansion of the multiple-entry IVS for Shenzhen residents will increase the number of Shenzhen residents eligible for the multiple-entry IVS to over 10 million, enabling them to visit Hong Kong more conveniently and freely and experience Hong Kong's diverse and vibrant tourism activities throughout the year, benefitting various tourism-related industries such as retail and catering.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said, "I wish to express my gratitude towards the Central Government's continuous care and support for Hong Kong, valuing and considering HKSARG's proposals, and continuing to roll out series of new measures benefitting Hong Kong. In my Policy Address, I proposed requesting the Central Government to further enhance arrangements for Mainland residents visiting Hong Kong, including the resumption of the multiple-entry IVS for Shenzhen residents. I thank the relevant ministries of the Central Government for their active research and accelerated processing, enabling these measures to be swiftly implemented within a short period and bringing good news to the HKSARG."
To ensure the smooth implementation of the new arrangements on Sunday, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, chaired an interdepartmental meeting yesterday (November 28) to co-ordinate and instruct various departments to make preparations on all fronts and co-ordinate with each other to ensure the smooth operation of border control points, tourist facilities, and public transportation networks, with a view to providing visitors with a pleasant travel experience.
The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, said, "The Central Government has been providing support for Hong Kong's economy and tourism development. IVS visitors are significant driving forces for the development of tourism-related industries in Hong Kong. The resumption of the multiple-entry IVS for Shenzhen permanent residents and the expansion to Shenzhen non-permanent residents holding residence permits will substantially increase the number of visitors to Hong Kong, further stimulate Hong Kong's tourism, retail, and catering industries, and create new impetus for Hong Kong's economy. The Hong Kong Tourism Board will strengthen publicity about Hong Kong in Shenzhen and launch online platform promotions with a view to attracting more Shenzhen visitors to Hong Kong."
