According to a press release from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the HKSAR Government will expand the “Entry Facilitation Program for Specially Invited Persons” from October 1, from the current member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries and regions, and allow all government bureaux/departments to issue invitations through the plan to promote economic and trade exchanges and multi-faceted exchanges. When expanded, the plan will cover the following countries and regions: ASEAN: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor, and Vietnam; Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan; Middle East: Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Furthermore, the Government will expand the “Facilitated Entry Scheme for Visitors to Hong Kong to Participate in Short-Term Activities in Designated Sectors” from October 1. In addition to the current 17 designated sectors, the “Social Welfare” section will be added to the Short-Term Visitor Program.

According to a press release from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the HKSAR Government will expand the “Entry Facilitation Program for Specially Invited Persons” from October 1, from the current member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries and regions, and allow all government bureaux/departments to issue invitations through the plan to promote economic and trade exchanges and multi-faceted exchanges. When expanded, the plan will cover the following countries and regions: ASEAN: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor, and Vietnam; Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan; Middle East: Gulf Cooperation Council countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Furthermore, the Government will expand the “Facilitated Entry Scheme for Visitors to Hong Kong to Participate in Short-Term Activities in Designated Sectors” from October 1. In addition to the current 17 designated sectors, the “Social Welfare” section will be added to the Short-Term Visitor Program.