Immigration Smart Card to HK and Macao Put into Use
Recently Zhuhai Immigration Checkpoint has stated that the new exit and entry permit to Hong Kong and Macao will be reduced to the size of an ordinary ID card. The electronic card with a microchip will replace the passport-like permit currently used by Mainland Chinese residents traveling to Hong Kong and Macao, aiming at decreasing the processing time at the border checkpoints.
Every traveler’s personal and visa details will be stored in the microchip embedded in the card. The immigration officer needs only to swipe the card on a card reader and the check will be completed, eliminating the need to flip through the pages of the exit and entry permit and apply stamps. Processing times will be considerably reduced, only taking 8 to 10 seconds, since travelers aged seven or above can also store their fingerprints when applying for the exit and entry permit and use the self-service channel for immigration when holding all visas excluding the type L one.
The card will be put into use as early as May for the trial period covering Guangdong residents. Guangdong will not issue the existing paper exit and entry permits after the beginning of the new trial period. But the paper permit is still valid up to its expiry date and will still need to be stamped when presented at the checkpoints.
Every traveler’s personal and visa details will be stored in the microchip embedded in the card. The immigration officer needs only to swipe the card on a card reader and the check will be completed, eliminating the need to flip through the pages of the exit and entry permit and apply stamps. Processing times will be considerably reduced, only taking 8 to 10 seconds, since travelers aged seven or above can also store their fingerprints when applying for the exit and entry permit and use the self-service channel for immigration when holding all visas excluding the type L one.
The card will be put into use as early as May for the trial period covering Guangdong residents. Guangdong will not issue the existing paper exit and entry permits after the beginning of the new trial period. But the paper permit is still valid up to its expiry date and will still need to be stamped when presented at the checkpoints.
