Easier HK travel for Macau residents

Residents of Macau will find it easier to visit Hong Kong following the signing today (September 6) of a memorandum on enhancing travel arrangements.

The Director of Immigration, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, and the Director of the Macau Identification Department, Mr Isaac Lai, signed the document, which is expected to boost Hong Kong's tourism sector.

The measures for enhanced travel convenience include:

* Eligible Macau permanent residents will be able to visit Hong Kong for up to 14 days by producing their smart permanent ID card with a specified declaration form;

* Residents of Chinese or Portuguese nationality who have held Macau ID cards for less than two years will be able to visit Hong Kong by using a Visit Permit for Residents of Macau to Hong Kong and stay for up to 14 days; and,

* Macau Travel Permit holders who have held Macau ID cards for less than two years will be able to transit in Hong Kong for up to seven days without the need to apply for a separate entry permit.

The first measure will be introduced in mid-October and the other two will become effective later this month. Some 450,000 Macau residents, or 93.7% of the population, will benefit from the arrangements.

"This is a great move in the immigration arrangements between Hong Kong and Macao to enhance travel convenience," the Director of Immigration said.

Macau's Mr Lai said the signing of the memorandum signified a new era of exchange and co-operation between the two Special Administrative Regions. He said that as well as enhancing travel convenience, it would promote development in a number of ways.

Ends/Monday, September 6, 2004