HONG KONG: Hong Kong and Macao residents will no longer be required to fill out arrival/departure cards when visiting the other city commencing December 10. The two governments have signed an agreement to share "e-channels".

Financial Secretary John Tsang signed a Memorandum on "Entry and Exit with Permanent Resident Identity Card and Mutual Exemption from Furnishing Arrival/Departure Cards" with Macao Secretary for Administration and Justice Florinda da Rosa Silva Chan yesterday in Hong Kong.

The signing of the memorandum begins a new era in the facilitation of travel convenience between the two Special Administrative Regions, a Hong Kong government spokesman said.

In the past, people were restricted to using the Automated Passenger Clearance System, called "e-channels" in Hong Kong and "autogate" in Macao, in their home cities.

For example, when Hong Kong residents traveled to Macao, they have been required to fill out a departure card, present the card to immigration officers at the Macao control point to be stamped and to present it again when they leave Macao.

From December 10, they will be permitted to complete the immigration clearance with their identity cards and be spared the trouble of queuing up at an immigration counter.

Hong Kong residents 11 years or older can use the autogate at all immigration control points in Macao.

Eligible Hong Kong residents can enroll for the service at the Enrolment Office specially set up at the Exterior Harbour Control Point.

Those aged 18 or above may also use the self-enrolment kiosks set up at the Macao Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan and China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui.

People aged between 11 to 17 are required to apply in person at the Enrolment Office at the Exterior Harbour Control Point. They must be accompanied either by their parents or legal guardian and present their birth certificates as well as identity cards. The accompanying parents and guardians should also supply their own identity papers and in the case of the legal guardian, the proof of guardianship.

After completion of the enrolment process in Hong Kong, applicants may use the Macao autogates after about five working days.

The arrangement will require the applicants' consent to have the applicant's identity card information and fingerprint template sent to the Macao Immigration Department for processing of the application.

Hong Kong residents under 11 years old should carry other identification documents with a photograph, issued by the Director of Immigration as supporting proof of identity along with their ID card.

China Daily

(HK Edition 11/25/2009 page1)