Economic Observer Online
August 22, 2012
Translated by Zhang Dian
Original article: [Chinese]

The Ministry of Public Security has announced on its website that non-residents living in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen are able to apply for entry-exit certificates (出入境证明) like passports and visas to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan starting from September 1, 2012. The six cities all have large mobile populations.

Non-residents in these cities can apply for entry-exit certificates with a Hukou (户口簿), ID Card (二代居民身份证), temporary residence permit (暂住证) and proof of having paid social insurance for at least one year. College students without a residence permit can apply by submitting their Hukou, ID card and confirmation from their school.

The Ministry of Public Security says that entry-exit bureaus in the six cities will receive applications and make certificates like passports and visas, but those certificates have to be double-checked by the applicants' home Public Security department; though not in person. Rejected applicants can appeal, but those who fake documents will be punished in accordance with the law.

Currently, people must return to the city that issued their Hukou – usually their birthplace – in order to apply for these documents. Students have the option of temporarily changing their official residence for the time they’re in college.

An official with the ministry chalks up the new policy to the “human-oriented principle” of the ministry’s work. With the development of China's economy, more and more people live in faraway cities. Access to entry-exit for these mobile people will bring more convenience.