E-pass aids travelers from SARs, Taiwan who lose papers

China's immigration authorities have said a temporary e-travel pass will be issued to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan residents if they lose their travel documents on the mainland to help them continue traveling by air and rail without delay.

The National Immigration Administration said the new pass, which came into effect on Thursday, can be applied for through its online service platform, 12367, and is valid for one week. Residents can apply for it up to twice a month. Previously, travelers who misplaced their documents had to obtain written confirmation from a local immigration office, often limited by office hours.

The NIA also announced that residents from these regions can now ask mainland immigration authorities to link their travel and residence permits, reducing the need for cross-verification when applying for bank cards or internet access.