Non-permanent Hong Kong residents holding a foreign passport can visit Chinese mainland for a longer period of five years with a multiple-entry visa starting on Wednesday, a new measure announced by the city’s leader to attract more foreigners to set up businesses and reinforce its status as an international trading hub.

Starting from Wednesday, the validity period of a multiple-entry visa for the city’s non-permanent residents with foreign passports to travel to the mainland will be extended to a maximum of five years from the current two years.

Those working for companies registered in Hong Kong will also enjoy priority in application processing.

“The new measure is to facilitate travel for those residents to the mainland and also help attract more foreigners to establish businesses in Hong Kong,” a government source said.