Officials mulling changing of multi-entry visa for China

To a maximum of 52 visits annually.

Following previous meetings by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development with mainland representatives, it has been reported that officials are leaning towards changing the multiple-entry visa for individual mainland visitors to a maximum of 52 visits per year.

According to a research note on Hong Kong property by Barclays, it cited a Hong Kong Economic Times report that the proposal was in line with assessments conducted by the government earlier to gauge the potential impact of limiting the number of visits per year to 12, 30, 52, or 60.

The report noted that the government concluded that there was little difference between 12 and 52 visits a year. However, if the number of visits were to be reduced below 12 annually, it would have a more significant impact, apparently.

The report said this change reflects views that have been expressed by various sectors, which include the Hong Kong retail and tourism sector.