Taiwan resident Jin Wanli received his mainland residence permit in Shenhe district, Shenyang, capital of Northeast China’s Liaoning province, on Sept 11, becoming the first recipient of the permit in the province.

From Sept 1, residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan who have lived on the Chinese mainland for longer than six months can apply for a new mainland residence permit, according to an announcement by the State Council Information Office on Aug 16.

Applicants with stable jobs and an address in the mainland can apply at local departments with the required documentation, and they will receive a residence permit within 20 working days. The permit is valid for five years.

Liaoning province has set up 257 offices in the province to make it easier for eligible individuals to apply for the new permit, which is shaped like a national ID card.

Jin said that he has been in Shenyang for many years, and the residence permit will make his professional and personal life easier.

Now, I am able to collect train tickets from the automatic ticket machines at railway stations instead of queuing in front of the ticket service windows, he added.

More than 80 people have applied for the mainland residence permit at public security departments in Liaoning province.

Jin Wanli registers his information before receiving the new permit at the public security department in Shenhe district of Shenyang, Liaoning province, Sept 11. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Jin Wanli (middle) holds his mainland residence permit in Shenyang, Liaoning province, Sept 11. [Photo/Chinanews.com]