A joint statement released by the Public Security Police Force (PSP), Identification Services Bureau (DSI), and the Public Security Forces Affairs Bureau (DSFSM) on Friday announced new immigration clearance facilitation measures, lowering the minimum age for using automated channels from 11 to 7 years-old, starting today, to enhance cross-boundary travel convenience in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
The three local government entities, in conjunction with the Hong Kong Immigration Department (IMMD), said in the statement that the measures form part of efforts to implement the Outline Development Plan for the Greater Bay Area and to deepen regional cooperation.
Starting today, Hong Kong and Macau permanent residents aged at least 7 may use the automated immigration clearance channels of each side of the bridge, including Hong Kong’s e-channels and Macau’s traditional two-gate automated channels, the statement said.
Permanent residents aged between 7 and 10 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for joining the scheme and may start using the service about 30 minutes after successful registration, according to the statement. In Macau, the use of “joint inspection automated channels” and “iris recognition channels” is simultaneously extended to eligible Hong Kong permanent residents aged between 7 and 10, the statement noted.
After completing record filing procedures, these minors may use joint inspection automated channels at the joint Macau-Hengqin checkpoint, Qingmao checkpoint, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) checkpoint, the statement said, adding that upon registering for iris recognition, they may also use iris recognition channels at checkpoints including Barrier Gate checkpoint, ferry terminals and Macau International Airport (MIA).
Eligible Hong Kong and Macau non-permanent residents aged 18 or above may also use local self-service kiosks for pre-registration at the other side’s automated clearance service, the statement noted. After successful registration, they may start using the relevant automated channels within about three hours, said the statement.
Non-permanent residents aged between 11 and 17 must register in person at the checkpoints’s respective offices, accompanied by a parent or guardian, the statement added.
The statement concluded that Hong Kong and Macau will continue to strengthen communication, promote cross-boundary government services and deepen cooperation in immigration affairs, with the aim of building a more convenient and high-quality living area in the Greater Bay Area.
This infographic released by Macau’s Public Security Police Force (PSP), Identification Services Bureau (DSI), and Public Security Forces Affairs Bureau (DSFSM) on Friday shows Hong Kong and Macau jointly reducing the minimum age for using the automated immigration clearance channels from 11 to 7.
