The SUN HK : First $3k of consumption vouchers out by Apr 16

Non-permanent residents who enter for work or study will also get $2,500 in vouchers

Recipients of the $5,000 consumption vouchers to be issued by the government this year will get the first installment of $3,000 on April 16, with the remaining $2,000 being disbursed starting on July 16.

This was announced by Financial Secretary Paul Chan at a press conference on Friday, during which he said the scheme is meant to stimulate the economy after the debilitating effects of the pandemic, and promote cash-less spending.

"I announced in 2023-24 Budget to issue consumption vouchers again in order to provide support to the general public and small and medium sized-enterprises to the best of our ability when the community is at the early recovery stage and our economy has become relatively stable,” Chan said.

“Through stimulating consumption, we can sustain the impetus to economic recovery and at the same time promote the wider use of electronic payment."

Chan (middle) announcing the dates for the new handouts

Permanent residents aged 18 and above and new arrivals from the mainland with one-way permits or have family members in Hong Kong are entitled to receive the full $5,000 worth of e-vouchers.

For the first time, new entrants under the various work and talent schemes, as well as those on student visas, will be given $2,500 in two installment of $1,500 and $1,000 each, on the same dates of disbursements for PRs.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE!

According to the government, the $6.4 million or so people who have successfully registered for the CVS last year will automatically receive the first $3,000 through their designated stored value facility accounts like Octopus.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

If the account has become invalid or the relevant Octopus card has been lost or returned, the recipient will need to update their account information through designated channels.

Pindutin para sa detalye

The first installment of $3,000 can be collected until October 31, while the remaining $2,000 will be made available starting July 16 if the recipient’s total spending on designated goods and services has reached $3,000.

Recipients must use the same account they used last year to collect the first installment of this year’s vouchers. They will be allowed to change this account for the second installment due to start on July 16.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Details of the next phase will be announced together with how new eligible residents can apply for the vouchers.

This is the third year that the government has handed out consumption vouchers to PRs, with the one last year being doubled to $10,000, amid the fifth and deadliest wave of the pandemic.

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The usage and coverage has remained the same. The vouchers can be used only at local retail, catering and service outlets. They include spending for travel, as the industry was among the hardest hit during the pandemic.

However, the vouchers cannot be used for payments to the Government, public utilities, person to person payments and encashment, etc.