Facilitative Measures on Immigration Clearance between Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR

Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR have been working in close collaboration to streamline the immigration clearance formalities for their residents travelling between the two cities. With an aim to provide faster and more convenient immigration clearance service, the “Mutual Use of QR Code between Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR Clearance Service” (the “Service”) has been launched at midnight on 19 July 2024, as to enable residents of Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, who have enrolled for the Automated Passenger Clearance System (the “e-Channel”) service of the other side to pass through the e-Channels with their respective QR Codes for immigration clearance.

Introduction

         Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR have been working in close collaboration to streamline the immigration clearance formalities for their residents travelling between the two cities. Since 2009, eligible Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card holders, aged 11 or above, may enter and exit Hong Kong as visitors, and they may lodge a prior enrolment application to use the Hong Kong e-Channels for immigration clearance with their valid Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card.

         For the purpose of providing greater travelling convenience, starting from 2016, Macao SAR non-permanent residents, aged 11 or above, who possess a valid “Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to Hong Kong SAR”, may lodge a prior enrolment application for entering and exiting Hong Kong via the e-Channels with their valid “Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to Hong Kong SAR”.

         With the development of technology and enhancement in identity verification, both the Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR Governments have introduced their own QR codes for immigration clearance in recent years, which have received tremendous support from local residents and have been widely adopted. With an aim to provide faster and more convenient immigration clearance service between the two cities, the “Mutual Use of QR Code between Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR Clearance Service” (the “Service”) has been launched at midnight on 19 July 2024, allowing residents of Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, who have enrolled for the e-Channel service of the other side to complete the automated immigration clearance with their respective QR codes.

         For information on visa requirement prior to entry into the Hong Kong SAR, please click here for details.

Enrolment for using the Hong Kong e-Channel Service

 

Eligibility and enrolment

Enrolment in Macao

Eligible Macao SAR permanent residents, aged 18 or above, may lodge a prior enrolment application by using the self-service document application kiosks available in the 24-hour Government Self-Service Centres. After successful enrolment, it generally takes around 3 hours before applicants can use the e-Channels to enter and exit Hong Kong.
For locations of the self-service document application kiosks, please visit themed page of the 24-hour Government Self-Service Centres.
For tutorial video on self-service prior enrolment application, please visit the tutorial video.

 

Enrolment in Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin

Eligible Macao SAR permanent residents, aged 18 or above, may lodge a prior enrolment application by using the self-service kiosks for “Easy Macao Identification Services” available at the Government Affairs Service Centre in the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. After successful enrolment, it takes around 3 hours before applicants can use the e-Channels to enter and exit Hong Kong.
Address of the Government Affairs Service Centre in the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin: 2/F, Building 1, 868 Gang’ao Avenue, Hengqin

Enrolment in Hong Kong

  • Eligible Macao SAR permanent residents, aged 18 or above, may enrol at the e-Channel Enrolment Offices in Hong Kong (see the table below). Applicants can enter and exit Hong Kong via e-Channel in around 3 hours after successful enrolment.

     

     

    Locations of e-Channel Enrolment Offices

    Opening Hours

    Immigration Headquarters

    e-Channel Enrolment Office, 7th Floor, Administration Tower, Immigration Headquarters, 61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories

    Monday to Friday.
    8:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

    Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays

    China Ferry Terminal

    Arrival Hall (after arrival counters)

    10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

    Macau Ferry Terminal

    Arrival Hall (before arrival counters)

    10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

    Kai Tak Cruise Terminal

    Immigration Hall

    9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

    Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge

    Arrival Hall (after arrival counters)

    9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  • Remark: locations and opening hours of the e-Channel Enrolment Offices are subject to change depending on the actual situation.

     

  • Eligible Macao SAR permanent residents, aged from 11 to 17, are required to enrol in person with their parent or guardian at the e-Channel Enrolment Offices in Hong Kong and provide the required documents. Applicants can enter and exit Hong Kong via e-Channels in around 3 hours after successful enrolment.
    The original copy of the following documents shall be provided at the time of enrolment:
    1. Identification documents of the applicant and the accompanying parent or guardian;
    2. Birth certificate of the applicant: applicant born in Macao must present a “Birth Certificate - Descriptive Statement (for the purpose of identity card application)” or a complete certified copy of the Birth Certificate issued by the Civil Registration Bureau of the Macao SAR;
    3. If accompanied by a guardian, documentary proof of parenting right or guardianship execution, should be provided (if the original document is written in Portuguese only, it must be accompanied by a certified Chinese or English translation.)
  • Eligible Macao SAR non-permanent residents, aged 11 or above, should proceed to the e-Channel Enrolment Offices in Hong Kong in person and provide the required documents for enrolment. In around 3 hours after successful enrolment, applicants can enter and exit Hong Kong via e-Channels with their valid and enrolled “Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to Hong Kong SAR”.
For enrolment formalities of the Hong Kong e-Channel service, please visit Hong Kong SAR Immigration Department’s website.

 

Re-enrolment

For Macao SAR permanent residents, re-enrolment is required in the following circumstances:
    1. Loss of Macao SAR Resident Identity Card;
    2. Modification of personal data on the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card (e.g. name, date of birth, etc.);
    3. Successfully enrolled at the e-Channel Enrolment Offices in Hong Kong, but have not agreed on or authorised the transfer of data to the Hong Kong Immigration Department after renewal of identity card.
For Macao SAR non-permanent residents, re-enrolment is required in the following circumstances:
  1. Expiry of the enrolment validity specified on the enrolment notice;
  2. Modification of information (e.g. personal data) provided during previous enrolment for e-Channel service;
  3. Renewal of the Macao SAR Non-Permanent Resident Identity Card or the “Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to Hong Kong SAR”;
  4. Macao SAR Permanent Resident Card is obtained.

Cancellation of enrolment

If Macao SAR residents who have successfully enrolled in using the Hong Kong e-Channel service would like to cancel the enrolment, they should lodge their application in person at the immigration control points in Hong Kong. For more information on the locations and office hours, please visit Hong Kong SAR Immigration Department’s website.

Mutual Use of QR Code between Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR Clearance Service

Eligibility Criteria

  1. Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card holders aged 11 or above;
  2. Successfully enrolled for the Hong Kong e-Channel service; and
  3. Successfully bound their “Electronic Identity” through “Macao One Account” mobile application.

For information on how to bind the “Electronic Identity”, please visit  Electronic Identity.

 

Sample

 

How to generate the QR Code

After successful binding of the “Electronic Identity”, eligible residents can access the “My Border Crossing” page through “Macau One Account” and generate the “QR Code for Hong Kong and Macao Clearance Service” (the “QR Code”).
Note: The “QR Code for Hong Kong and Macao Clearance service” feature has been added to the latest version of the “Macao One Account” mobile application at midnight of 19 July 2024.

 

Status of the “QR Code for Hong Kong and Macao Clearance Service”

The “QR Code for Hong Kong and Macao Clearance service” is not available for use under the following circumstances, residents may press “Enquiry” button for further details.
1) Macao SAR permanent residents, aged 18 or above, who have not enrolled for the Hong Kong e-Channel service

2) Macao SAR permanent residents, aged from 11 to 17, who have not enrolled for the Hong Kong e-Channel service

3) Macao SAR permanent residents aged under 11 are not eligible to use the Hong Kong e-Channel service

4) Macao SAR non-permanent residents are required to use their “Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to Hong Kong SAR”, instead of the “QR Code”, when using e-Channels to enter and exit Hong Kong

5) Macao SAR permanent residents, aged 18 or above, who have completed enrolment at the e-Channel Enrolment Offices in Hong Kong, but have not agreed on or authorised the transfer of data to the Hong Kong Immigration Department after renewal of their identity card.

6) Macao SAR permanent residents, aged from 11 to 17, who have completed enrolment at the e-Channel Enrolment Offices in Hong Kong, but have not agreed on or authorised the transfer of data to the Hong Kong Immigration Department after renewal of their identity card.

7) Residents who have renewed their identity card but have not updated their electronic identity information. Simply press “View Electronic Identity” button to update the electronic identity information, after which the “QR Code” feature will be resumed and can be used for immigration clearance.

 

How to use the QR Code

Residents can go to the “My Border Crossing” page through “Macau One Account” on their mobile phone, where the “QR Code” is generated for using the Automated Passenger Clearance System in Macao or the e-Channel service in Hong Kong. To complete the immigration clearance process via e-Channels, residents may scan their “QR Code” and confirm their identity by fingerprint verification. (see the picture).

 

If the “Electronic Identity” of a minor is bound to the mobile phone of his/her parent or guardian, the parent or guardian only needs to slide left or right on the “My Border Crossing” page and present the “QR Code” of the respective person when they are going together for immigration clearance. (see the picture)

 

To facilitate the use of the “QR Code for Hong Kong and Macao Clearance Service”, residents only need to update the “Macao One Account” mobile application to the latest version, and create a shortcut by adding a desktop widget according to the instructions of different mobile phone model. After adding the desktop shortcut, residents can access the “My Border Crossing” page directly and scan the “QR Code” for immigration clearance without the need to access the “Macao One Account” mobile application again. For details, please refer to the tutorial video.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Enrolment methods

  • 1. Which of the Macao SAR residents can enjoy the Hong Kong e-Channel service to enter and exit Hong Kong?

    Answer: Eligible Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card holders, aged 11 or above, may lodge a prior enrolment application for using the Hong Kong e-Channels for immigration clearance with their valid Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card.
    Whereas for Macao SAR non-permanent residents, aged 11 or above, who hold a Macao SAR Non-Permanent Resident Identity Card and a “Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to Hong Kong SAR”, both with validity of not less than one month, should complete a prior enrolment in Hong Kong before they can enter and exit Hong Kong via e-Channels with their valid and enrolled “Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to Hong Kong SAR”.

  • 2. For eligible Macao SAR Permanent Residents Identity Card holders aged 18 or above, what are the prior enrolment formalities for the Hong Kong e-Channel service?

    Answer: -Enrolment in Macao
    Eligible Macao SAR permanent residents, aged 18 or above, may lodge a prior enrolment application at the self-service document application kiosks available in the 24-hour Government Self-Service Centres. After successful enrolment, it generally takes around 3 hours before applicants can use the e-Channels to enter and exit Hong Kong. Besides, they may also lodge a prior enrolment application at the self-service kiosks for “Easy Macao Identification Services” available at the Government Affairs Service Centre in the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
    For locations of the self-service document application kiosks, please visit themed page of the 24-hour Government Self-Service Centres.
    For tutorial video on the self-service prior enrolment, please visit the tutorial video.

    -Enrolment in Hong Kong
    Eligible Macao SAR permanent residents, aged 18 or above, may enrol at the e-Channel Enrolment Offices in Hong Kong. Applicants can enter and exit Hong Kong via e-Channels in around 3 hours after successful enrolment.
    For enrolment formalities of the Hong Kong e-Channel service, please visit Hong Kong Immigration Department’s website.

  • 3. For eligible Macao SAR Permanent Residents Identity Card holders aged from 11 to 17, what are the prior enrolment formalities for the Hong Kong e-Channel service?

    Answer: Eligible Macao SAR permanent residents aged from 11 to 17 are required to enrol in person with their parent or guardian at the e-Channel Enrolment Offices in Hong Kong and provide the required documents. Applicants can enter and exit Hong Kong via e-Channels in around 3 hours after successful enrolment.
    For enrolment formalities of the Hong Kong e-Channel service, please visit Hong Kong Immigration Department’s website.

  • 4. Can Macao SAR non-permanent residents use the Hong Kong e-Channel service to enter or exit Hong Kong?

    Answer: Macao SAR non-permanent residents aged 11 or above, who hold a Macao SAR Non-Permanent Resident Identity Card and a “Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to Hong Kong SAR”, both with validity of not less than one month, are required to enrol in person at the e-Channel Enrolment Offices in Hong Kong and provide the required documents. In around 3 hours after successful enrolment, applicants can enter and exit Hong Kong via e-Channels with their valid and enrolled “Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to Hong Kong SAR”.
    For enrolment formalities of the Hong Kong e-Channel service, please visit Hong Kong Immigration Department’s website.

  • 5. After successful enrolment, how long does it take before Macao SAR residents can enter or exit Hong Kong via e-Channels?

    Answer:

    1. In general cases, for enrolment applications completed at the self-service document application kiosks in the 24-hour Government Self-Service Centres, or at the self-service kiosks for “Easy Macao Identification Services” at the Government Affairs Service Centre in the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, applicants can use the e-Channels to enter and exit Hong Kong in around 3 hours after successful enrolment.
    2. For enrolment applications took place at the e-Channel Enrolment Offices of the Hong Kong Immigration Department, applicants can enter and exit Hong Kong via e-Channels in around 3 hours after successful enrolment.

  • 6. Under what circumstances do Macao SAR residents need to re-enrol for the Hong Kong e-Channel service?

    Answer: Macao SAR permanent residents are not required to re-enrol for the Hong Kong e-Channel service after renewal of their identity card due to expiry of validity period. However, under the following circumstances, re-enrolment is required after renewal:

    1. The identity card is renewed due to loss;
    2. The identity card is renewed due to modification of identity card information (e.g. name, date of birth, etc.);
    3. Successful enrolment at the e-Channel Enrolment Offices in Hong Kong, but have not agreed on or authorised the transfer of data to the Hong Kong Immigration Department after renewal of the identity card.

    Under the following circumstances, Macao SAR non-permanent residents are required to re-enrol before they can continue to use the Hong Kong e-Channel service:

    1. Expiry of the enrolment validity specified on the enrolment notice;
    2. Modification of information (e.g. personal data) provided during previous enrolment for the e-Channel service;
    3. Renewal of the Macao SAR Non-Permanent Resident Identity Card or the “Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to Hong Kong SAR”;
    4. Macao SAR Permanent Resident Card is obtained.

  • 7. How can Macao SAR residents cancel the enrolment for the Hong Kong e-Channel service?

    Answer: Residents are required to lodge an application for cancelling the enrolment in person at the e-Channel enrolment Offices in Hong Kong.

  • 8. How do Macao SAR residents re-enrol for the Hong Kong e-Channel service after the cancellation of enrolment?

    Answer: Eligible Macao SAR permanent residents, aged 18 or above, may lodge a new enrolment application at the self-service document application kiosks in the 24-hour Government Self-Service Centres, or the self-service kiosks for “Easy Macao Identification Services” at the Government Affairs Service Centre in the Guangdong-Macau In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, or proceed to the e-Channel Enrolment Offices in Hong Kong (please visit Hong Kong SAR Immigration Department’s website).For eligible Macao SAR residents, aged from 11 to 17, they are required to lodge a new application in person with their parent or guardian at the e-Channel Enrolment Offices in Hong Kong and provide the required documents.

  • Others

  • 1. Upon arrival in Hong Kong, are the Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card holders issued with any documents certifying their entry?

    Answer: From 10 December 2009 onwards, eligible Macao SAR permanent residents will be issued with a landing slip upon entry into the Hong Kong SAR, regardless of whether they use the traditional counters labelled with “Macao SAR Residents” or the e-Channels for immigration clearance. Residents are advised to keep the landing slip properly and present it upon the request of law enforcement officials of the Hong Kong SAR.

  • 2. What should we do if the landing slip is lost?

    Answer: If visitors lose their landing slip, they can proceed to the Immigration Headquarters of the Hong Kong SAR for a reprint of it.
    Immigration Headquarters of the Hong Kong SAR
    Address: 61 Po Yap Road, Tseung Kwan O, New Territories, Hong Kong
    Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:45 to 16:30
    Saturday, 9:00 to 11:30 (closed on Sundays and public holidays)
    Enquiry hotline: (852) 2824 6111

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