Visa exemption extended to four more countries

Preliminary work on visa exemptions for Argentina and Kazakhstan has been completed and further consultation is underway with the two countries as well as with Senegal and Gambia to cement visa exemption policies for Macau passport holders and residents of the four nations. The Macau SAR Identification Bureau (DSI) hopes to sign the documents with Senegal and Gambia soon, the director of the DSI, Ao Ieong U, replied in response to an enquiry by legislator Ng Kuok Cheong on how many more countries will join the visa free policy with the MSAR. Considerations The DSI director noted in his response that the Bureau is in contact with 17 countries regarding electronic visa applications and will publicly announce them once the Bureau receives responses from the respective countries. According to the DSI, when adding new countries for visa exemption the local government has to reach a mutual agreement with the country and factors need to be taken into consideration including: political basis, historical background and legal issues. The Bureau considers Customs management, impact on the safety of Macau residents, social order, economic trade, cultural relations and visa policy when deciding whether to allow other countries’ residents to enter Macau on visa exemption the director noted. Local passports The legislator also enquired about the case of a Macau passport holder who was prevented from entering Georgia due to Customs officials in the country being unable to recognise the Macau SAR passport. The legislator suggested that the Bureau notify countries of recently concluded visa exemption agreements – such as Uruguay and Morocco – about the policy implementation in order to avoid a recurrence of the situation and ensure travel convenience for Macau passport holders overseas. The director of the DSI said that the Bureau is unaware of this incident and suggested that if a similar case occurs to Macau passport holders that they contact the local Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China or the Macau SAR Bureau immediately for assistance.