Australian travellers can use Macao’s Automated Passenger Clearance System
The Public Security Police Force, the Public Security Forces Affairs Bureau and the Identification Services Bureau have been maintaining close communications and cooperation with the Australian Government on studying the technical requirements of using each other’s automated immigration clearance system, preparing for residents of the two places to use the automated immigration clearance system on a mutual basis for immigration clearance. Starting from 20 June 2016, Macao SAR electronic passport holders can use Australia’s automated immigration clearance system, which will expedite the process of immigration clearance for Macao residents. For more information, please visit the website of the Identification Services Bureau (www.dsi.gov.mo/download/ep_autogate_e.pdf) and the website of the Australian Government (www.border.gov.au/smartgate). Please be aware that the visa requirements or formalities for Macao residents to travel to Australia remain unchanged. For the information on the visa requirements and formalities, please visit the relevant website of the Australian Government (www.border.gov.au). To be in line with the immigration facilitation that Australia granted to Macao residents, with effect on the same day, Australian passport holders can also use Macao’s automated immigration clearance system. For more information, please visit the website of the Public Security Police Force of Macao (http://www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/eng/psp_top5_22_2.html). Eligibility and formality of Macao residents to enter Australia with Australia’s arrivals SmartGate Macao residents who are aged 16 or above and hold a valid Macao SAR electronic passport can enter Australia with Australia’s automated immigration clearance system (i.e. arrivals SmartGate). Upon arrival in Australia, eligible users need to proceed to the designated kiosk (i.e. arrivals SmartGate kiosk) for completing certain operation and printing a ticket as instructed. After that, the passport holders can go to the arrivals SmartGate with the ticket to enter Australia. When proceeding through the gate, the passport holders will need to conduct photo-taking and facial recognition. Besides, the passport holders have to retain the arrivals SmartGate ticket and present it with their completed Incoming Passenger Card to the Border Force officer after crossing the gate. At present, Macao SAR electronic passport holders have been able to access Australia’s arrivals SmartGate on a trial basis at Australia’s eight major international airports including Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Eligibility and formality of Macao residents to leave Australia with Australia’s departures SmartGate Macao residents who are over 120cm tall and hold a valid Macao SAR passport or Macao SAR electronic passport can use Australia’s automated immigration clearance system (i.e. departures SmartGate) when departing from Australia. For children who are over 120cm and are able to follow the automated clearance process by themselves without assistance can also use the departures SmartGate. Eligible users will need to conduct passport-scanning, photo-taking and facial recognition as directed by the gate, and they have to deposit their completed Outgoing Passenger Card at the Border Force officer’s desk after proceeding through the gate. At present, Macao SAR passport holders or Macao SAR electronic passport holders can use Australia’s departures SmartGate at Australia’s six major international airports including Brisbane, Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. For more information on Australia’s automated immigration clearance service, please visit the website of the Australian Government (www.border.gov.au/smartgate). Eligibility and formality of Australian travellers to enter and leave Macao with Automated Passenger Clearance System Australian travellers who are aged 11 or above and hold a valid Australian passport can register for entering and leaving Macao with the Automated Passenger Clearance System (i.e. e-Channel). Eligible travellers are required to complete a registration in person at the arrival halls of the Border Checkpoint at the Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal, the Border Checkpoint at the Taipa Ferry Terminal, the Border Checkpoint at the Border Gate, or the Immigration Department Office Building at Pac On of the Public Security Police Force of Macao. After the registration, they can use the Macao e-Channel at the Border Gate, Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal, Taipa Ferry Terminal, Macao International Airport and Cotai checkpoints for entering and leaving Macao with their registered Australian passport. For more information on the registration for using Macao Automated Passenger Clearance System, please visit the website of the Public Security Police Force of Macao (http://www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/eng/psp_top5_22_2.html).
