The difference between one-way permit and two-way permit

Let us learn more about the difference between one-way permit and two-way permit.

1. The certificates represented are different

Two-way permit represents the People's Republic of China's national travel pass to Hong Kong and Macao. The one-way permit represents the passport for the People's Republic of China to travel to Hong Kong and Macao.

2. Different meanings

Two-way permits are issued by the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Public Security to residents of mainland China traveling to Hong Kong or Macau for private purposes. Travel documents for visiting relatives, engaging in non-official activities such as business, training, employment, studying abroad, etc. One-way permit is a document issued by the relevant departments of the Ministry of Public Security of China to mainland Chinese residents with relatives in Hong Kong or Macau to settle in Hong Kong or Macau.

3. Different certificate periods

Two-way permit: valid for 5 years. On September 15, 2014, the electronic travel permit to Hong Kong and Macao was fully launched. The validity period of the electronic travel permit to Hong Kong and Macao for adults was extended to 10 years. Those under 16 years old will still be issued a five-year valid pass. All current Hong Kong and Macau travel passes will be invalid on September 13, 2019.

One-way permit: valid for 6 months. If the one-way permit has expired but is not eligible to apply for a Hong Kong permanent resident identity card, the Hong Kong resident identity card is still valid.

4. Documents have different uses

One-way permit is a way for mainlanders to immigrate and settle in Hong Kong. It can be likened to a return without return, because before receiving the permit, you need to cancel your mainland household registration and continue. After changing to a Hong Kong ID card and waiting for a period of time to change to a Hong Kong permanent resident ID card, you can enjoy all the welfare policies of Hong Kong people. A two-way permit is only used for travel, family visits, and business activities. It is a one-way and return trip. It is only a short-term stay, and the processing period is short, usually about ten working days.

What is a one-way permit?

The People's Republic of China's Permit to Travel to Hong Kong and Macao (commonly known as the One-way Permit) is a document issued by the relevant departments of the Ministry of Public Security of China to mainland Chinese residents with relatives in Hong Kong or Macao to settle in Hong Kong or Macao. Mainland residents can immigrate to Hong Kong and obtain Hong Kong identity through this one-way permit, but they must cancel their domestic ID cards and household registrations. It is called one-way permit because "there is no return".

What is a two-way permit?

The People's Republic of China's Travel Permit to Hong Kong and Macao (commonly known as a two-way permit) is issued by the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China to residents of mainland China traveling to Hong Kong or Macao for private purposes. Travel documents for traveling, visiting relatives, engaging in business, training, employment, studying abroad and other non-official activities. The Hong Kong Two-Way Permit cannot be used to immigrate to Hong Kong. We can generally understand that the Hong Kong Two-way Permit is what we often call the Hong Kong and Macau Pass.