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[     Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode   |    Macao SAR Resident Identity Card    |    Macao SAR Travel Documents    | Nationality Application | Certificate of Criminal Record    |    Kinship Verification  |    Others  ]

  • Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode

    1. How many working days does it take to process the “Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode”?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: The processing time is 30 working days after the day on which this bureau has received all required documents from the applicant (exclusive of the day of receipt of required documents).

    2. If my application for the “Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode” is approved, when should I come to Identification Services Bureau to apply for the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: Applicants are advised to collect the “Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode” within six months from the date of issuance, and lodge the application of the Macao SAR Resident Identity card as soon as possible.

 

  • Macao SAR Travel Documents

    1. If an applicant is outside Macao, can he/she apply for the Macao SAR Travel Documents by post?
    2. What travel document is needed if Macao resident wishes to travel to the Hong Kong SAR?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: (1) Eligible Macao SAR permanent residents holding electronic Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card can enter and exit the Hong Kong SAR as visitors without producing any other travel documents or filling in any arrival/departure card. Pursuant to the existing Hong Kong SAR immigration requirements, nationals of certain countries are required to obtain a visa in prior before entering the Hong Kong SAR. These individuals, though possessing a valid electronic Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card, are still subject to prior assessment and approval in order to enjoy the abovementioned facilitations.
      (2) Chinese or Portuguese nationals holding a Macao SAR non-Permanent Resident Identity Card can apply for the “Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to Hong Kong SAR” at the Identification Services Bureau in order to travel to Hong Kong.

    3. If a Macao resident travels to Hong Kong SAR, what is the maximum period of stay in Hong Kong SAR?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: By presenting an electronic Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card, the Macao SAR permanent resident is allowed to stay in the Hong Kong SAR as a visitor for a maximum period of 180 days provided that the immigration requirements are duly fulfilled. For a Macao SAR non-permanent resident entering Hong Kong with his/her «Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to HKSAR», he/she is allowed to stay in the Hong Kong SAR as a visitor for a maximum period of 30 days provided that the immigration requirements are duly fulfilled.

    4. What is the validity period of a « Macao SAR Passport »?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: The validity period of « Macao SAR Passport» is 10 years for holders aged 18 or above, and 5 years for holders aged under 18.

    5. Is it necessary to apply for a visa when traveling to Taiwan Region?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: Macao residents can contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Macao for relevant visa details, tel: (853)28306289.

    6. What should cardholders do if they found their lost Macao SAR travel documents after lodging the application for replacing the lost document?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: After the lost document is found, the cardholder has to present it to DSI and apply for refund if needed. If the cardholder returns the lost document to DSI on the same day of lodging the application, the cardholder can apply for refund of the entire fee, including application fee and the additional fee for document loss. Otherwise, the cardholder can apply for refund of the additional fee only. Moreover, the cardholder cannot be returned the fee in cash at DSI if the request for refund is not made to DSI in the same week of lodging the application for replacement of document. In this case, the cardholder has to wait for DSI’s notification to collect a statement which is issued by the Finance Services Bureau for the cardholder to cash at bank. Please note that the refund process takes time.
    7. What are the procedures for collecting the Macao SAR Travel Document?

      〔Ans〕
      Ans.: The applicant can collect the document in person or by an authorized person. To authorize a representative to collect the document, the applicant has to fill out the authorization form on the receipt and sign the receipt according to the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card signature. For applicants under 18 years old, the authorization form must be signed by their parent or legal representative. When the delegate collects the document, he/she has to present a valid identification document for verification.
      Note﹕
      1. If the former travel document has not expired, it must be presented to this Bureau for cancellation when collecting the document.
      2. Applicants reached 18 years old and applied the document via Macao One Account have to collect the document in person; For applicants below 18 years old, their documents have to be collected by their parent or guardian in person and cannot be collected by other persons by authorization.

    8. How to collect Macao SAR Travel Document at Document Collection Kiosk?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: After lodging the application for the Macao SAR Travel Document at service counters or self-service kiosks, applicants can choose to collect the new travel document at any of the seven government 24-hour self-service kiosk centers. Applicants aged 18 or above must collect the document in person; for applicants aged below 18, the document must be collected by their parent or legal representative holding a Macao SAR resident identity card. When collecting the document, one may choose to scan his/her electronic identity, or scan or enter the receipt number for identity verification through facial recognition or fingerprint verification. If the former travel document has not expired, it must be brought along for cancellation.
    9. What should an applicant do if he/she applied for travel document renewal and chose to collect the document at document collection kiosk, but he/she lost his/her former valid travel document before collection?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: The applicant should first report the loss to the Macao Public Security Police Force.After that, he/she should visit the service counters at the Identification Services Bureau with the loss report and pay the additional charge for being unable to present the former travel document, and then wait for the Identification Services Bureau’s notification of the collection date of the new travel document.
  • Nationality Application

    1. Does an applicant need to renounce his/her foreign nationality before lodging the application for naturalization as a Chinese national or restoration of Chinese nationality?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: To avoid becoming a stateless person, the applicant does not need to renounce his/her original foreign nationality in advance. If the application for naturalization as a Chinese national or restoration of Chinese nationality is approved, the applicant has to submit proof of renouncing the foreign nationality within 6 months upon the receipt of notification from this Bureau.

    2. For the nationality application of minors, can the application be signed by one of his/her parents?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: Due to the reason that nationality application concerns the minor’s significant interest, both parents must sign the application for their underage children.

    3. Can Macao SAR non-permanent residents of foreign nationality apply for naturalization as a Chinese national?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: No, they cannot. Only Macao SAR permanent resident who is a person of foreign nationality or who is a stateless person can apply for naturalization as a Chinese national.

    4. Can applicants apply for naturalization as a Chinese national if they do not have a near relative who is a Chinese national?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: If applicants do not have a near relative who is a Chinese national, they should have legitimate reasons to apply for naturalization as a Chinese national. Legitimate reasons include whether they have resided in Macao for a long time, whether they grew up in Macao, whether they have connection with China, whether they have the knowledge of the Chinese language, whether they are fond of Chinese culture and so on.

    5. Who are considered as the near relatives in the nationality application?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: Near relatives includes spouse, parents, children and siblings of the applicant.

    6. Under what circumstances should the persons who are applying for naturalization as a Chinese national submit a certificate of criminal record issued by the competent authority in the place of origin of the applicant?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: For the applicant who had lived in other country or territory for 6 months or longer before settling in Macao and who had reached the age of 16 or above when living there, he/she has to submit a certificate of criminal record which is issued within 90 days from its issuance date by the competent authority in the place of his/her origin.

    7. Can Macao SAR non-permanent residents of foreign nationality apply for restoration of Chinese nationality if they once held Chinese nationality?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: Yes, they can. Applicants should provide proof that they once held Chinese nationality, such as a birth certificate, Chinese passport or certificate of renunciation of Chinese nationality.

    8. When applying for renunciation of Chinese nationality, can the applicants only submit proof of having applied for naturalization as a national of another country?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: When applying for renunciation of Chinese nationality, the applicants should submit proof of having acquired other nationality or proof of the need to renounce his/her Chinese nationality.

    9. After the application for renunciation of Chinese nationality is approved, can the applicant retain his/her Macao SAR Passport?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: No, the applicant shall lose his/her Chinese nationality upon approval of the application for renunciation of Chinese nationality. Therefore, he/she is no longer eligible to apply for the Macao SAR Passport and must return his/her Macao SAR Passport to the Identification Services Bureau for cancellation.

    10. What persons can make choose between Chinese nationality and Portuguese nationality?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: According to Paragraph 2 of Article 1 of Explanations of Some Questions by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Concerning the Implementation of the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region, a Macao SAR resident who is of both Chinese and Portuguese descents may select Chinese nationality or Portuguese nationality based on his/her wish. When lodging the application for selecting Chinese nationality or Portuguese nationality, applicants are required to provide a declaration of having both Chinese and Portuguese descents.

    11. May the Macao SAR residents who are of both Chinese and Portuguese descents retain their Portuguese passport if they have chosen Chinese nationality?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: Yes, they can. These residents may retain their Portuguese passport as travel documents after they have chosen Chinese nationality. However, they will not be entitled to Portuguese consular protection in the Macao Special Administrative Region and other parts of the People’s Republic of China.

    12. Following to the previous question, may the applicants apply for the Macao SAR Passport if they have chosen Portuguese nationality?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: No, they cannot. Applicants who have chosen Portuguese nationality no longer possess Chinese nationality. Therefore, they are not eligible to apply for the Macao SAR Passport.

    13. Who can apply for changing nationality?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: For original Chinese nationals of the Macao SAR who returned to Macao from abroad before or after the establishment of the Macao SAR and who possess other foreign nationality, they can request to change their nationality to other foreign nationality. However, they will no longer possess Chinese nationality once they have made such change.

  • Others

    1. Is it necessary to get a tag number in advance of using the services provided by the Identification Services Bureau?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: Yes. Number tag can be obtained in the following ways:
      DSI (located at Avenida da Praia Grande N.o 804, Edf. China Plaza, 1.º Andar, Macao)
      1. Online ticketing and appointment (http://www.dsi.gov.mo/webservice_e.jsp);
      2. Telephone appointment (853-28370777 or 853-28370888);
      3. Self-service kiosk for ticketing and appointment;
      4. DSI ticketing counter (please note that number tags are limited and distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis.)

      Macao Government Services Centre (located at Rua Nova de Areia Preta N.º 52, Macao)

      1. Online appointment (https://www.csraem.gov.mo/csrbooking/#/index);
      2. Telephone appointment (853-28451515);
      3. Self-service ticketing kiosk;
      4. Ticketing counter (please note that number tags are limited and distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis.)

      Macao Government Services Centre in Islands (Centro de Serviços da RAEM nas Ilhas) (located at Rua de Coimbra, n.º 225, 3.˚ andar, Taipa)

      1. Online appointment (https://www.csraem.gov.mo/csrbooking/#/index);
      2. Telephone appointment (853-28421212);
      3. Self-service ticketing kiosk;
      4. Ticketing counter (please note that number tags are limited and distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis.)

    2. How long does Identification Services Bureau take to process the suggestions, comments or complaints?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: Identification Services Bureau will follow up the suggestions, comments or complaints within 45 days.

    3. How many working days are needed to process for the email enquiries?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: Identification Services Bureau will have the emails replied within 5 working days. Please note that due to the protection of the privacy of personal data, if there is any personal data involved in the enquiry, Identification Services Bureau will reply by letter.

    4. What should the overseas spouse of Macao resident (except resident of Mainland China) do to apply for residence in the Macao SAR?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: If the overseas spouse (except spouse living in the Mainland) of Macao resident who wishes to reside in the Macao SAR, he/she should apply for a “Residence Authorization” (Certificado de Residencia) at the Residence and Stay Affairs Department of the Public Security Police Force (Departamento para os Assuntos de Residência e Permanência) of the Public Security Police Force, and then apply for a Macao SAR Non-Permanent Resident Identity Card at the Identification Services Bureau with the receipt of “Residence Authorization”. Macao SAR Non-Permanent Resident Identity Cardholders can apply for a permanent one until they have ordinarily resided in Macao for 7 consecutive years. For further details about “Residence Authorization” application, please contact the Residence and Stay Affairs Department by their hotline: (853)2872 5488 or (853)2872 5499.

    5. What should a Macao resident do to apply for residence in Macao SAR on behalf of his/her relatives in the Mainland?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: If a Macao resident’s relatives in Mainland China (such as parents, spouse or children) intend to enter Macao for residence, they (i.e. the resident’s parents, spouse or children) have to submit an application to the competent public security authority of the People's Republic of China first. For details of formalities and required documents, please contact the competent authorities in Mainland China.

    6. What are the formalities if a Macao-born applicant who has migrated to Hong Kong and now wishes to apply for the re-issuance of Macao birth certificate?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: For enquiries about Macao birth certificate, please contact Civil Registry (Conservatória do Registo Civil) located at Rua do Campo, nº 162, Edifício Administração Pública, 2º andar (Tel: (853)2855 0110).

    7. What documents are needed for the application for the Portugal Identity Card and Portugal Passport?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: For details about Portugal Identity Card and Portugal Passport, please contact the Consulate General of Portugal in Macao located at Rua Pedro Nolasco da Silva nº 45 (Tel: (853)2835 6660).

    8. What documents are needed for the application for the Home Return Permit?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: For details about the Home Return Permit application, please contact China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd. located at Avenida do Dr. Rodrigo Rodrigues, Edifício Nam Kwong, 1º andar (tel: (853)2870 0888).

    9. Do holders of the People's Republic of China passport or foreign passport need any visa to enter/exit the Macao SAR?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: For details about entering/exiting or temporary staying in the Macao SAR, please contact the Public Security Police Force at (853)2872 5488 or (853)2872 5499); Address: Travessa Um do Cais de Pac On, Edifício de Serviços de Migração, Taipa, Macao.

    10. Where can citizens find the kiosk for verifying the authenticity of their electronic identity card?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: DSI has installed integrated self-service kiosks in various locations in Macao for citizens to verify the authenticity of their identity card and print out the relevant verification result. Location of the integrated self-service kiosk can be found in DSI’s website: https://www.dsi.gov.mo/eservice/index_p.html.

    11. Which payment method is accepted by DSI?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: Citizens are allowed to pay application fees with GovPay and Macau Pass at all self-service kiosks. Besides, they can also use other payment methods (such as cash, credit cards/debit cards issued by Bank of China Macau Branch or Banco Nacional Ultramarino) or MPay to pay application fees at service counters.

    12. If citizens need to prove his/her former name, is it possible to apply for the Certificate of Personal Data by using the self-service kiosk?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: DSI introduced electronic application for the Certificate of Personal Data in 2016 to facilitate the relevant formalities. By using the self-service kiosk to lodge the application, citizens can request to state the visible information on the identity card, nationality, spouse’ name, parents’ name, date of first issuance and marital status on the certificate. However, it does not include the information which proves the change of name in the past. The application for the certificate of former names can be lodged at the service counter.
    13. How long is the processing time of the application for the Certificate of Personal Data?
      〔Ans〕
      Ans: Normally, the Certificate of Personal Data is issued in 5 working days after DSI receives the application and all required documents. If there is a need to verify the data to be listed on certificate, DSI will notify the applicant of paying applicant fee after the relevant data has been verified. The certificate will be issued in 5 working days after the payment is made.
    14. What are the procedures for collecting the Certificate of Personal Data, the Certificate of Kinship and the Certificate of Association and Foundation?

      〔Ans〕
      Ans.: The applicant can collect the document in person or by an authorized person. To authorize a representative to collect the document, the applicant has to fill out the authorization form on the receipt and sign the receipt according to the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card signature. For applicants under 18 years old, the authorization form must be signed by their parent or legal representative. When the delegate collects the document, he/she has to present a valid identification document for verification.
      Note﹕
      1. When applicants who lodged the application via Macao One Account authorize a representative to collect the document, they have to download and fill out the declaration form for authorizing other person to collect the certificate on behalf of the applicant).
      2. When the authorized person collects the certificate, he/she has to present a valid identification document for verification.

    15. When lodging the application for travel documents for underage children in “Macao One Account”, how do parents submit their children’s “photo for Identification documents” in “My Photos” of “Macao One Account” ?

      〔Ans〕
      Ans.:

      (1) Online Service:
      Parent who is holding a Macau SAR Resident Identity Card holders and have reached 18 years old can use his/her "Macao One account” to lodge the application for travel documents of his/her underage child who has reached 5 years old on the latest issuance date of identity card. It should be ensured that the child's "photo for identification documents" have already been uploaded to the parent’s “Macao One account” so that the parent can choose the child’s photo as the travel document photo when lodging the application.
      (2) Offline Service:
      When using counter services, it should be ensured that the child's "photo for identification documents" have already been uploaded to the parent’s “Macao One account”. The parent just needs to select his/her child's "photo for identification documents" in “My Photos” of “Macao One Account”. After showing the QR Code of the photo to the counter officer and input the sharing code as instructed, the photo can be submitted to the public department.

    16. If applicants need to submit supplementary documents after lodging application, what should they do?

      〔Ans〕
      Ans.:

      The applicants should first obtain a number tag and proceed to any DSI office during office hours to submit the supplementary documents in person or by an delegate. The office locations are as follows:

      • DSI Information and Appointment Counter (located at Avenida da Praia Grande No. 804, Edf. China Plaza, 1.º Andar, Macao)
      • Macao Government Services Centre (Zone R on 2nd floor, DSI service zone)
      • Macao Government Services Centre in Islands (Zone D on 3rd floor, DSI service zone)

      If the supplementary documents are photographs or authorization letters, the documents can be submitted directly to the "DSI Information and Appointment Counter" on 1st floor of China Plaza without number tag.

Last Updated: 22/01/2024

 
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