The Hong Kong and Macao special administrative region governments on Sunday welcomed the central authorities’ decision to facilitate the entry of business travelers and professionals from the Chinese mainland, saying it will enable the two cities to have more frequent exchanges with the rest of the country.

On Sunday, the National Immigration Administration issued a package of updates to the entry and exit regulations to facilitate residents’ trips outside the mainland. The changes will take effect on May 6.

Among the measures, the period of stay for mainland residents who hold business endorsements to Hong Kong and Macao will be doubled to 14 days, a move that is expected to benefit over 100 million companies, the immigration administration said.

Among the measures, the period of stay for mainland residents who hold business endorsements to Hong Kong and Macao will be doubled to 14 days, a move that is expected to benefit over 100 million companies, the National Immigration Administration said

Mainland residents will be able to file their applications for business endorsement at any immigration service counter on the mainland with the assistance of smart equipment, which will be able to issue multientry endorsements on the spot.

The talent endorsement, initially implemented for residents of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in February 2023, will be extended to include residents of Beijing and Shanghai effective May 6. The move will cover six categories of professionals — outstanding, scientific research, cultural and educational, health, legal, and management. Successful applicants will be issued endorsement that will be valid from one to five years, depending on their circumstances.

ALSO READ: China introduces policies to facilitate mainlanders' trips to HK, Macao

A new type of multientry endorsement will help mainland residents travel to Macao for exhibitions, medical treatment and performing-arts activities. If seeking medical services, residents can include one to two companions in a single application for the same endorsement.

Mainland tourist groups traveling to Hengqin and Macao will be free to enter Macao via Hengqin Port without limitations over seven days, as a new endorsement will be issued to lift the restriction.

The Hong Kong SAR government said these measures will greatly enhance convenience for mainland businesspeople and traders who travel to Hong Kong for various business activities and promote their exchanges with the business community in Hong Kong

In a statement on Sunday, the Hong Kong SAR government said these measures will greatly enhance convenience for mainland businesspeople and traders who travel to Hong Kong for various business activities and promote their exchanges with the business community in Hong Kong.

“The new measures will facilitate Hong Kong’s further integration into the national development and achieve concrete results on the solid policy foundation of facilitating the ‘southbound and northbound’ two-way flow of talents,” it added.

The Macao SAR government said the rules updates meet diverse tourism needs and will further promote the coordinated development of talents in Beijing, Shanghai and the Greater Bay Area.

READ MORE: HK expects 5.9m trips during Labor Day holiday

The measures are expected to inject a new impetus into the development of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and promote Macao’s economic diversification, Macao government said.