The Individual Visit Scheme began on July 28, 2003. It allowed travelers from Mainland China to visit Hong Kong and Macau on an individual basis. Prior to the Scheme, Mainland residents could only visit to Hong Kong and Macau on business visas or in group tours.
The outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong from March to June 2003 resulted in a sharp drop in the number of both Mainland and overseas visitors, to a low level that was unprecedented in recent years. The tourism industry was adversely affected.
The main reason for launching the Individual Visit Scheme was to boost the economy of Hong Kong and Macau. Under the initial stage of the scheme, residents of Beijing, Shanghai, and 8 Guangdong provincial cities (Dongguan, Foshan, Guangzhou, Huizhou, Jiangmen, Shenzhen, Zhongshan and Zhuhai) could apply for visas to visit the two Special Administrative Regions individually.
The scheme was extended to all 21 cities of Guangdong province in July 2004, and to 9 other cities in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian provinces in July 2004.
The visas, issued by the Public Security Bureau of the People's Republic of China, were valid for 7 days and could be applied for again upon return from Hong Kong to the Mainland.
The scheme brought an immediate surge in the number of Mainland visitors. In the short period from July 28 to November 4, 2003, more than 600,000 individuals in the Mainland applied for visas, and 450,000 visas were issued. The number of visitors under the scheme reached two million in May 2004.
Read more about Individual Visit Scheme: October 1 Golden Week, Economic Impact, Social Impact, Timetable of Implementation, Macao Visa Restrictions
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