New open category under regular quotas for Hong Kong private cars using HZMB to Macao facilitates cross-boundary travel
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Apart from accepting individuals or companies meeting specific employment or business activities to apply for individual or company quotas respectively under "quotas with eligibility criteria" according to the usual practice, new "open quotas" not subject to the above eligibility criteria will be introduced in this batch for all Hong Kong permanent residents and registered companies.
A spokesman for the TD said, "Hong Kong and Macao governments have adhered to the principle of making better use of the HZMB's carrying capacity. The governments have committed to enhance the arrangements of cross-boundary driving schemes, streamline the application procedures and improve travel experiences. These new open quotas will provide additional convenience for Hong Kong residents to drive to Macao for work, business, visiting families or sight-seeing, thereby strengthening ties between the two places."
Application details
The 1 400 Hong Kong quotas in this batch include 900 additional quotas agreed between the governments of Hong Kong and Macao and 500 reallocated quotas upon expiry. Details of different categories and their eligibility criteria are tabulated below:
| Category of Hong Kong quotas | Quotas with eligibility criteria (allocated based on existing eligibility criteria) |
Open quotas (open to all individuals/ companies) |
| Individual quotas | 500 (including 250 new quotas and 250 reallocated quotas)
|
200 (new quotas)
|
| Company quotas | 500 (including 250 new quotas and 250 reallocated quotas)
|
200 (new quotas)
|
| Total | 1 000 | 400 |
The TD reminded applicants that:
- Any individual or company can only hold one Hong Kong quota. Holders of existing individual or company quotas launched from September 2023 onwards are not eligible for this batch;
- Each individual or company can only submit one application under quotas with eligibility criteria or open quotas. They will be disqualified if otherwise;
- To further ensure applicants' eligibility, during ballot registration, all applicants must fill in the reference numbers of their valid required supporting documents; and
- Applicants under quotas with eligibility criteria are also required to upload a copy of the required supporting documents (including a valid Business Registration Certificate of a Macao registered company, a valid Non-resident Worker's Identification Card issued by the Macao Public Security Police Force or a Macao Permanent Resident Identity Card and a valid employment contract with receipts of income covering the recent three months issued by the employer in Macao).
Eligible applicants may submit their applications from 9am on May 7 until 5.15pm on May 20, 2026, through the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/crossboundary/hzmballot.htm), after which a ballot will be conducted. Successful balloting applicants must submit the required documents for the TD's vetting to prove that they have met the eligibility criteria on or before May 20.
Validity period of quotas
Private cars issued with quotas are expected to access the city of Macao multiple times via the HZMB starting from July 13, 2026, at the earliest. The quotas are valid for not more than three years until July 12, 2029. The TD will arrange open applications for and reallocation of the quotas upon their expiry.
For details of the application criteria, procedures and licensing requirements of Hong Kong quotas, please visit the TD's website or call the hotline 2804 2600 for enquiries.
Ends/Friday, May 1, 2026
Issued at HKT 10:00
Issued at HKT 10:00
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