To reinforce exchanges between Taiwan and the areas of Hong Kong and Macao, and to provide convenience for Hong Kong and Macao residents coming to Taiwan, the Council Meeting convened today (29th) by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) passed a new proposal allowing Hong Kong and Macao residents to apply for an entry permit to Taiwan through online procedures, hoping that its implementation would provide more convenience for Hong Kong and Macao residents coming to Taiwan, as well as bring substantial benefits to exchanges between Taiwan and the areas of Hong Kong and Macao.
The MAC Council Meeting today passed the draft amendment to Article 9 of the “Permit Regulations Governing the Entry and Residence of Hong Kong and Macao Residents in the Taiwan Area” submitted by the Ministry of the Interior. The new stipulation provides that starting from January 1, 2005, Hong Kong and Macao residents shall be allowed to apply for entry permits into Taiwan through online procedures. The aforementioned entry permit shall be valid for three months starting from the next day of the issuance. Within the validity period, the permit holder may enter and exit Taiwan twice and is allowed to stay for fourteen days each time. To apply for an entry permit into Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao residents may visit the E-government Entry Point of Taiwan website (http://www.gov.tw) or the Immigration Office website (http://www.immigration.gov.tw). Upon the approval of the entry permit, the applicant may claim the document at the Chung Hwa Travel Service office in Hong Kong, the Chung Hwa Travel Service office at the Chek Lak Kop Airport, or the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in Macao.