Macao launches two facilitative clearance measures for Hong Kong and international travellers

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Hong Kong SAR permanent residents may use iris recognition for immigration clearance, while eligible international visitors may go through on-board arrival formalities via the arrival vehicle channels of the Macao Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

To further facilitate the travel of Hong Kong residents and international visitors to Macao, the Macao SAR Government has implemented two facilitative clearance measures for respective travellers.

For Hong Kong SAR permanent residents, those who are aged 11 or above, and have registered for the automated passenger clearance service in Macao SAR, may use iris recognition for immigration clearance starting 11 June 2025.

Passengers aged 18 or above may register their iris biometrics when using the ‘iris automated channels’ equipped with the registration function for the first time. The procedure generally takes about 25 seconds.

Minors aged 11 to 17, and passengers who fail to register their iris biometrics at the ‘iris automated channels’, can go to the following locations for manual registration of their iris biometrics:

• Border Gate Checkpoint (Counter No. 13, Departure Hall; Counter No. 42, Arrival Hall)
• Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Checkpoint (Automated Passenger Clearance Service Registration Area, G/F, Hong Kong-Macao Arrival Hall; Departure Office, Hong Kong-Macao Departure Hall)
• Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal Checkpoint (Automated Passenger Clearance Service Registration Area, Arrival Hall)
• Taipa Ferry Terminal Checkpoint (Automated Passenger Clearance Service Registration Area, Arrival Hall)
• Airport Checkpoint (Visa Room, Arrival Hall)

Minors aged 11 to 17 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian for registration. The minor and the accompanying parent or guardian should produce proof of their identity and proof of their relationship.

Currently, a total of 81 iris automated channels are located at the six checkpoints of Macao, namely the Border Gate, Hong Kong-Zhuhai Macao Bridge (Hong Kong-Macao Hall), Airport, Taipa Ferry Terminal, Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, and Inner Harbour Ferry Terminal respectively.

Since the launch of iris recognition for immigration clearance for Macao residents in October 2023, 300,000 Macao residents have registered their iris biometrics for immigration clearance. As of end May 2025, the accumulated number of persons using this service is more than 15,78mn.

On the other hand, to facilitate foreigners to visit Macao and promote international people-to-people exchange, the Macao SAR Government has granted the permission for eligible foreign visitors to undergo on-board entry clearance in passenger vehicles that are nine-seaters or less at the Macao Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, effective 9 June 2025.

The detailed arrangements are as follows:

• Nationals who have been granted visa-free entry into Macao, and possess valid passport, may go through on-board arrival formalities via the arrival vehicle channels of the said port;
• All foreign visitors who possess valid passports may go through on-board departure formalities via the departure vehicle channels of the said port;
• Passengers who are not eligible for on-board clearance may go through clearance informalities in the Clearance Hall for On-board Passengers near the vehicle channels or the arrival/departure halls.

ALSO READ: Hong Kong and Macao residents can now use a QR Code for automated customs clearance

Photos / gov.mo