Hongkong residents will soon find paperwork needed to enter Macau a thing of the past when immigration e-channels will be set up in the second half of next year, after relevant government legislation.
Macau permanent residents will also find the same facility awaiting them in Hongkong.
Hongkong’s Chief Executive Donald Tsang said the move was “essential to maintain Hongkong as a tourism, financial and trading centre in the region”.
Meanwhile, Taiwan visitors holding iPermits (visas obtained electronically) or those with multi-entry permits, he added, would have their stays extended from 14 to 30 days. The measure would reduce the inconvenience for Taiwanese businessmen, who still had unfinished projects in the city, of having to detour to Macau or Shenzhen then returning to Hongkong.
The Taiwan government has proposed waiving visa requirements for Hongkong residents visiting the island, even if the Hongkong government has not volunteered a reciprocal scheme.
Margie T Logarta
