Non-Chinese permanent residents can apply for car entry permits to Guangdong province, marking a significant shift in cross-border travel policies as of yesterday.
The northbound driving scheme, which began in late December, permits private cars to cross the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge into Guangdong. At its launch, up to 80,000 vehicles were eligible for the scheme.
According to the Guangdong Department of Transport, from July 1 to August 8, the Zhuhai end of the bridge recorded nearly 3 million entries and exits, with over 600,000 car crossings—an increase of 62% and 74%, respectively. Both figures set new records.
These permits, valid for five years and allowing multiple entries with stays of up to 90 days, mark a significant policy shift. The scheme allows a maximum of 2,000 cars per day, with Secretary for Transport Raimundo Arrais do Rosário noting that the daily quota is usually met only on weekends.
Under the scheme, a vehicle should stay no longer than 30 days on one trip each year 180 days in Guangdong Province, which is the only provincial jurisdiction open to the scheme.
