Last week the authorities in Singapore and Hong Kong announced details of a much-anticipated Air Travel Bubble (ATB) between the two countries, which commences this weekend on 22nd November, for an initial approved period until the end of the year. Up to two designated flights per day in each direction will be eligible for the programme.
On the face of it, the Singapore – Hong Kong ATB is a simple concept. Residents of either country can follow the prescribed process and make quarantine-free trips between the two cities for any purpose, including business or leisure.
One group is singled out for an extra step though, and that’s Singapore residents who are foreign Long-Term Pass (LTP) holders.
What’s different?
Once the ATB was announced, it was clarified that LTP holders would have to apply for entry approval before being permitted to return to Singapore after each trip they made on the ATB.
| Singapore Citizens & Permanent Residents |
Singapore LTP Holders |
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Almost immediately, many questions started coming in, especially from Employment Pass holders wanting to take a short trip to Hong Kong on the ATB.
- How can you apply for this approval?
- Must you have already left Singapore to apply?
- What if they say no?
We contacted a number of government departments to try and get some clarity on the process and answer some of these questions for our readers, though unfortunately the respo