China to cut fees for exit-entry travel pass

BEIJING — The exit-entry departments of China’s public security authorities will implement fee cuts for citizens’ regular passports and mainland residents’ travel passes for Hong Kong and Macao trips, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA) on June 24.

Starting July 1, the fee for a personal regular passport will be lowered by 40 yuan (about $5.82) from 160 yuan to 120 yuan, and the fee for a travel pass to Hong Kong and Macao will reduce from the current 80 yuan to 60 yuan, the NIA said in a statement.

This new move is expected to benefit 65 million people each year, saving applicants about 2 billion yuan, it said.

The NIA said the fee cut is among the authorities’ reform efforts to delegate power, improve regulation and upgrade services and better serve the people.

The administration has streamlined the procedures for applying for relevant documents this year.