Frequently asked questions
- How many working days does it take to process the “Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode”?
- If my application for the “Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode” is approved, when should I come to Identification Services Bureau to apply for the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card?
- I am a Chinese national born in Macao and I am holding a Macao Birth Certificate. Am I regarded as a Macao permanent resident? Can I apply for a Macao SAR Resident Identity Card (BIR)? What are the required documents for the application?
- I was born in Macao in 1970 and possess a Macao Birth Certificate. I have moved to Hong Kong for residence since 1978 and I am still keeping the Entry Permit which I held when I was moving to Hong Kong. What are the required documents for applying for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR?
- I am a Chinese national born in Macao and my parents are holding valid Macao resident identity cards. Besides, I possess a Macao Birth Certificate and an expired Portuguese Identification Card (BI). What are the formalities for the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card (BIR)?
- I am a Chinese national born in Macao in 1972. My mother was holding a former Macao Resident Identity Card issued by the Macao Public Security Police Force (PSP) at the time of my birth. I am now holding an expired Portuguese Identification Card (BI). What are the formalities for the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card (BIR)?
- I was born in Macao and possess a former Macao Identity Card. Besides, my father possessed a Macau Identity Card before. In this case, do I need to apply for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR or directly apply for the Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card?
- I am an old Macao resident of Chinese nationality. I had been issued a Macao identification document in 1970s, but I did not renew my Macao identity card on time since I grew old. In this case, can I apply for the Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card (BIR) directly with the former Macao identification document?
- I studied in Macao in the 1960s and then obtained my Macao identification document. I moved to Hong Kong for residence in 1980. What kind of documents should I provide to prove that I have ordinarily resided in Macao for 7 consecutive years if I want to apply for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR? Besides, I have a graduation certificate of a school in Macao. Can it be considered as proof of ordinary residence in Macao?
- I had possessed Macao identification documents for less than 7 years. Besides the educational proof, what other documents are also considered as the proof of residence in Macao?
- I settled in Macao with my mother in 1979 with a One-Way Permit. I had possessed a Macao Identity Card but it was lost later, and I have also forgotten the identity card number. In this case, can I request the Identification Services Bureau (DSI) to check my identity card number for applying for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR?
- I entered Macao for residence with a One-Way Permit in 1980 and. possessed a Macao Resident Identity Card issued in 1992. Later, I had returned my Macao Resident Identity Card to the former Identification Services Bureau (previously known as SIM) for cancellation as I would settle down in Hong Kong afterwards. Can I request for the re-issuance of the Macao Resident Identity Card and what is the corresponding application formality?
- I am a Chinese national who lived in Macao and possessed a Macao identification document. I have moved to France a year before. Due to the reason that I intend to obtain the Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card again, I would like to apply for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR. However, I cannot return to Macao for lodging the application, is it possible for me to lodge the application by other means?
- I came to settle in Macao from Mainland in 1985 with a One-Way Permit. In 1990, I worked overseas and stayed there for residence afterwards. Is it possible for me to return to Macao for settlement by applying for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR?
- I am a Macao permanent resident and have got married with a Hong Kong citizen in Hong Kong. How can my spouse apply for a Macao Resident Identity Card?
- I am a Chinese national born in Macao and I am holding a Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card (BIR). My child was born in Hong Kong. What should I do for my child to obtain the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card?
- I settled in Macao with a One-Way Permit in the ’70s and I have been holding a Macao Identity Card. I got married in Hong Kong in 1990 and gave birth to my child in Hong Kong afterwards. How can my child apply for a Macao SAR Resident Identity Card?
- I was born in Hong Kong. In accordance with the stipulations of Article 1 (1) (3) of Law No. 8/1999, I acquired the Macao permanent resident status in 2005 by virtue of my mother who is a Macao permanent resident. At present, I possess a Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card. My daughter was born in Hong Kong in 2007. Is it possible for her to acquire the permanent resident status by applying for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR?
- My child was given birth in the Untied States when my husband and I were traveling there with our Macao SAR passports at the beginning of the year. My child possesses an U.S. passport. If I intend to bring my child back to Macao for residence, how can my child apply for a Macao SAR Resident Identity Card?
- My husband and I are Macao permanent residents of Chinese nationality and possess Macao SAR passports. In the ’90s, we migrated to the United States and obtained our green cards. My child was born in the United States in 2005 and possesses an American passport. I would like to return to Macao for settlement with my child. How can my child apply for a Macao Resident Identity Card?
- I am a Chinese national. I settled in Macao with a One-way Permit in 1981 and I am holding a Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card. In 1990, I went to Australia with a student visa to further my studies. During my stay in Australia, I gave birth to a child whose father is an Australian. My child is now holding an Australian passport. Now we want to return to Macao for settlement. How can my child apply for a Macao SAR Resident Identity Card?
- My wife and I are both Chinese citizens and we settled in Macao with a One-way Permit in 1981. We are holding Macao SAR Resident Identity Cards. During my family visit in Australia in 1990, my son was born there. Later, my family were authorized to reside in Australia and we became naturalized as Australian nationals. My son is now holding an Australian passport. Now, we want to return to Macao for settlement. How can my child apply for the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card?
- I settled in Macao in 1981 with a One-way Permit and I am holding a Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card. In 1990, I got married with a Chinese from Mainland. Later, my wife gave birth to our daughter. In 1996, my wife and my daughter settled in England with their Chinese passport. They became a naturalized national of England in 2005. Can my daughter reside in Macao by applying for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR?
- I am of both Chinese and Portuguese descents. Before the establishment of the Macao SAR, I settled in Portugal with my Portuguese husband and gave birth to my daughter. Later, we got divorced. Now, I am preparing to return to Macao with my daughter and live with my parents. In this case, is it necessary for my daughter to apply for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR?
- My husband and I are Macao permanent residents of Chinese nationality. Not long ago, we moved to Japan for residence with our Portuguese passports and I gave birth to my son there. However, my son did not acquire Japanese nationality at birth. Can he apply for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR in order to confirm his right of abode in the Macao SAR?
- I am a Macao permanent resident. A year ago, I got married with a Chinese citizen from Mainland and later my wife gave birth to our son. Now, I want my son to come to Macao for settlement. Does he need to apply for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR?
- I am a Chinese citizen and have just become a Macao SAR permanent resident this year for having resided in Macao for a continuous period of 7 years. My wife and my five-year old son are still residing in Mainland China. Can my son claim that he has the right of abode in Macao and apply for the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card?
1. How many working days does it take to process the “Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode”?
The processing time is 30 working days after the day on which this bureau has received all required documents from the applicant (exclusive of the day of receipt of required documents).
2. If my application for the “Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode” is approved, when should I come to Identification Services Bureau to apply for the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card?
Applicants are advised to collect the “Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode” within six months from the date of issuance, and lodge the application of the Macao SAR Resident Identity card as soon as possible.
3. I am a Chinese national born in Macao and I am holding a Macao Birth Certificate. Am I regarded as a Macao permanent resident? Can I apply for a Macao SAR Resident Identity Card (BIR)? What are the required documents for the application?
If one of your parents was a permanent resident of Macao at the time of your birth, or if you have ordinarily resided in Macao for 7 consecutive years or above, you are eligible to lodge an application for a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR to verify your right of abode in Macao. When making the application, you are required to complete an application form and submit 3 recent photographs, a photocopy of your valid identification document, the original copy and a photocopy of your Macao Birth Certificate, photocopies of your parents’ valid identification documents, proof that one of your parents was residing in Macao by the time of your birth (such as the former Macao identification documents) or proof that you have ordinarily resided in Macao for 7 consecutive years or above. After successful verification of your eligibility, you will be issued the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode. After that, you can lodge the application for the Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card with the aforesaid certificate. Regarding the formalities for the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card, please visit the official website of this bureau www.dsi.gov.mo.
4. I was born in Macao in 1970 and possess a Macao Birth Certificate. I have moved to Hong Kong for residence since 1978 and I am still keeping the Entry Permit which I held when I was moving to Hong Kong. What are the required documents for applying for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR?
You are required to complete an application form and submit 3 recent photographs, a photocopy of your valid identification document, the original and a photocopy of the Macao Birth Certificate, a photocopy of the former Macao identification document if any, and the original and a photocopy of the Entry Permit which you held when you were moving to Hong Kong.
5. I am a Chinese national born in Macao and my parents are holding valid Macao resident identity cards. Besides, I possess a Macao Birth Certificate and an expired Portuguese Identification Card (BI). What are the formalities for the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card (BIR)?
If the date of first issuance of your parent’s Macao SAR Resident Identity Card is prior to the date of your birth, you can directly apply for the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card at the Identification Services Bureau (DSI). When making such application, you are required to provide the original and a photocopy of your valid identification document and birth certificate, your Portuguese Identification Card, and the original and a photocopy of your parents’ valid Macao identification documents. If you do not belong to the abovementioned conditions, you must first lodge an application for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR for verifying your right of abode in Macao. After successful verification of your eligibility, you can then apply for the Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card. Regarding the formalities for the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card, please visit the official website of this bureau www.dsi.gov.mo.
6. I am a Chinese national born in Macao in 1972. My mother was holding a former Macao Resident Identity Card issued by the Macao Public Security Police Force (PSP) at the time of my birth. I am now holding an expired Portuguese Identification Card (BI). What are the formalities for the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card (BIR)?
Firstly, you must lodge an application for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR to the Identification Services Bureau for verifying your right of abode in Macao. When making the application, you are required to complete the application form and submit 3 recent photographs, a photocopy of your valid identification document, the original and photocopy of your Macao Birth Certificate, a photocopy of your former Macao identification document, photocopies of your parents’ valid identification documents, a proof that one of your parents was residing in Macao at the time of your birth (such as the former Macao identification documents) and the original and a photocopy of your parents’ Marriage Certificate if any. After successful verification of your eligibility, the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode will be issued. You can then lodge an application for the Macao Permanent Resident Identity Card with the aforesaid certificate. Regarding the formalities for the Macao Resident Identity Card, please visit the official website of this bureau www.dsi.gov.mo.
7. I was born in Macao and possess a former Macao Identity Card. Besides, my father possessed a Macau Identity Card before. In this case, do I need to apply for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR or directly apply for the Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card?
You must first lodge an application for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR for verifying your right of abode. After successful verification of your eligibility, you can then apply for a Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card.
8. I am an old Macao resident of Chinese nationality. I had been issued a Macao identification document in 1970s, but I did not renew my Macao identity card on time since I grew old. In this case, can I apply for the Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card (BIR) directly with the former Macao identification document?
No. You must first lodge an application for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR to verify your right of abode in Macao. When making the application, you are required to complete the application form and submit 3 recent photographs, copies of your valid identification document and the Macao identification document that you had possessed before. After successful verification of your eligibility, you will be issued the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode. After that, you can apply for the Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card with the aforesaid certificate. Regarding the application procedures of the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card, please visit: www.dsi.gov.mo.
9. I studied in Macao in the 1960s and then obtained my Macao identification document. I moved to Hong Kong for residence in 1980. What kind of documents should I provide to prove that I have ordinarily resided in Macao for 7 consecutive years if I want to apply for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR? Besides, I have a graduation certificate of a school in Macao. Can it be considered as proof of ordinary residence in Macao?
Due to the reason that the studying period is not stated on the graduation certificate normally, you can submit a certificate issued by the school in which you studied as proof of having ordinarily resided in Macao for 7 consecutive years. The certificate should indicate clearly the studying period, parents’ name and the declared address at that time). If the School/University/Institute is closed, you can apply for a school enrollment record at the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) or submit your academic reports. In addition, if you possessed Macao identification document before, you are required to submit its photocopy and the Entry Permit that you were holding when moving to Hong Kong for residence (if any).
10. I had possessed Macao identification documents for less than 7 years. Besides the educational proof, what other documents are also considered as the proof of residence in Macao?
Besides educational proof, you can also submit proof of involvement in any association activities (such as member card which shows membership fee payment record, proof of employment or undertaking a presidential position in the association and so on), injection record, employee registration record, salary tax receipt, government-issued employment proof, proof of receiving government subsidies and so on.
11. I settled in Macao with my mother in 1979 with a One-Way Permit. I had possessed a Macao Identity Card but it was lost later, and I have also forgotten the identity card number. In this case, can I request the Identification Services Bureau (DSI) to check my identity card number for applying for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR?
Yes, you can. Due to the reason that it will take time for this Bureau (DSI) to verify the applicant’s information with the Macao Public Security Police Force (PSP), in this case, the application can only be processed upon receiving the information from PSP. Thus, applicant should be prepared to wait patiently.
12. I entered Macao for residence with a One-Way Permit in 1980 and. possessed a Macao Resident Identity Card issued in 1992. Later, I had returned my Macao Resident Identity Card to the former Identification Services Bureau (previously known as SIM) for cancellation as I would settle down in Hong Kong afterwards. Can I request for the re-issuance of the Macao Resident Identity Card and what is the corresponding application formality?
You can request for the re-issuance of the Macao Resident Identity Card by addressing a letter to the Director of the Identification Services Bureau (DSI) for approval. You should clearly explain the reason of cancellation of the Macao Resident Identity Card at that time and attach a copy of your valid identification document to the letter. After successful verification of your permanent resident status, you will be informed to apply the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card at this Bureau.
13. I am a Chinese national who lived in Macao and possessed a Macao identification document. I have moved to France a year before. Due to the reason that I intend to obtain the Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card again, I would like to apply for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR. However, I cannot return to Macao for lodging the application, is it possible for me to lodge the application by other means?
You can lodge your application by post. Details and required documents of the application can be referred at the website of the Identification Services Bureau www.dsi.gov.mo . Application by post should be sent to Macao P.O. Box 1089. After collecting the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode, you are required to apply for the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card in person at the Identification Services Bureau.
14. I came to settle in Macao from Mainland in 1985 with a One-Way Permit. In 1990, I worked overseas and stayed there for residence afterwards. Is it possible for me to return to Macao for settlement by applying for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR?
Since you have not ordinarily resided in Macao for 7 consecutive years, you are not entitled to possess the Macao permanent resident status and you are not eligible for applying the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR. If you intend to reside in Macao, you can try to apply for residency as an investor, management or technical personnel through the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) (Tel: 28710300, Website: http://www.ipim.gov.mo/) in accordance with the stipulation of Administrative Regulation No. 3/2005, or through the Talent Development Committee (Address: 4/F, Edifício de Escritórios do Governo (ZAPE),1101-A Avenida da Amizade , Macao, Tel: 28555108, Website: https://www.cdqq.gov.mo/en/) under the Talent Recruitment Programme, in accordance with Law no. 7/2023. Moreover, according to the stipulations of Law No. 16/2021, you can apply for residence authorization by means of family reunion at the Residence and Stay Affairs Department (Departamento para os Assuntos de Residência e Permanência) of the Macao Public Security Police Force (Address: Edifício de Serviços de Migração, Travessa Um do Cais de Pac On, Taipa, Macao; Tel: 28725488; Website: https://www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/eng/main.html) provided that you have relatives who are Macao residents.
15. I am a Macao permanent resident and have got married with a Hong Kong citizen in Hong Kong. How can my spouse apply for a Macao Resident Identity Card?
The application for residence in Macao made by family members of Macao residents by means of family reunion is under the jurisdiction of the Residence and Stay Affairs Department (Departamento para os Assuntos de Residência e Permanência) of the Macao Public Security Police Force (PSP). Applicants should contact the Residence and Stay Affairs Department for further information about temporary residency (Certificado de Residencia) (Address: Edifício de Serviços de Migração, Travessa Um do Cais de Pac On, Taipa, Macao; Tel: 28725488; Website: https://www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/eng/main.html).
16. I am a Chinese national born in Macao and I am holding a Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card (BIR). My child was born in Hong Kong. What should I do for my child to obtain the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card?
If you were a Macao permanent resident at the time of your child’s birth in Hong Kong, and your child holds Chinese nationality (please refer to Article 4 of the Nationality Law of the People’ Republic of China for detailed information about the acquisition of Chinese nationality), he/she can confirm his/her right of abode in Macao by applying for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR at the Identification Services Bureau (DSI). When lodging the application, the applicant is required to complete an application form and submit 3 recent photographs, photocopy of a valid identification document, the original and photocopy of birth certificate, photocopies of parents’ identification documents and the original and photocopy of parents’ marriage certificate. After successful verification of your child’s eligibility, the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode will be issued. Your child can then lodge the application for the Macao Permanent Resident Identity Card with the aforesaid certificate.
17. I settled in Macao with a One-Way Permit in the ’70s and I have been holding a Macao Identity Card. I got married in Hong Kong in 1990 and gave birth to my child in Hong Kong afterwards. How can my child apply for a Macao SAR Resident Identity Card?
Since you are a Macao permanent resident at the time of your child’s birth in Hong Kong, and your child holds Chinese nationality (please refer to Article 4 of the Nationality Law of the People’ Republic of China for detailed information about the acquisition of Chinese nationality), he/she can confirm his/her right of abode in Macao by applying for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR at the Identification Services Bureau (DSI). When lodging the application, the applicant is required to complete an application form and submit 3 recent photographs, photocopy of a valid identification document, the original and photocopy of birth certificate, copies of parents’ identification documents and the original and photocopy of parents’ marriage certificate. After successful verification of your child’s eligibility, the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode will be issued. Your child can then lodge the application for the Macao Permanent Resident Identity Card with the aforesaid certificate.
18. I was born in Hong Kong. In accordance with the stipulations of Article 1 (1) (3) of Law No. 8/1999, I acquired the Macao permanent resident status in 2005 by virtue of my mother who is a Macao permanent resident. At present, I possess a Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card. My daughter was born in Hong Kong in 2007. Is it possible for her to acquire the permanent resident status by applying for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR?
Since you have not ordinarily resided in Macao for a continuous period of 7 years at the time of your daughter’s birth, in accordance with the stipulation of Article 1 (1) (3) of Law No. 8/1999, she is not entitled to have the Macao permanent resident status. Thus, she is not eligible for applying the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR. For enquiries about the application for the residence of your daughter in Macao by means of family reunion, you can contact the Residence and Stay Affairs Department (Departamento para os Assuntos de Residência e Permanência) of the Macao Public Security Police Force (PSP) at their service hotline: 28725488.
19. My child was given birth in the Untied States when my husband and I were traveling there with our Macao SAR passports at the beginning of the year. My child possesses an U.S. passport. If I intend to bring my child back to Macao for residence, how can my child apply for a Macao SAR Resident Identity Card?
Since your child is currently holding an U.S. passport, this Bureau must first verify if your child acquires Chinese nationality in order to confirm his/her entitlement for the Macao permanent resident status. According to the stipulation of Article 5 of the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China, a person will acquire Chinese nationality if he/she was born outside Macao and whose parent was a Chinese citizen. However, a person will acquire foreign nationality at his/her birth if his/her parent was a Chinese citizen who has already settled abroad. In this case, he/she does not have Chinese nationality. Due to the reason that your child was born during your visit in the United States, he/she still possesses Chinese Nationality even though he/she has acquired American nationality at birth. In pursuant to the stipulation of Article 1 (1) of Law No. 7/1999, your child is eligible to apply for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR to confirm the right of abode in Macao. When lodging the application, the applicant is required to complete the application form and submit 3 recent photographs, photocopy of a valid travel documents, original and photocopy of the Birth Certificate, copies of parents’ identification documents, original and photocopy of parents’ marriage certificate and the parents’ declaration of their residence status in the local country at the time of the applicant’s birth in the United States together with the photocopy of the travel documents that they were holding at that time. After successful verification of your child’s eligibility, the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode will be issued. Your child can then lodge the application for the Macao Permanent Resident Identity Card with the aforesaid certificate.
20. My husband and I are Macao permanent residents of Chinese nationality and possess Macao SAR passports. In the ’90s, we migrated to the United States and obtained our green cards. My child was born in the United States in 2005 and possesses an American passport. I would like to return to Macao for settlement with my child. How can my child apply for a Macao Resident Identity Card?
Since your child is currently holding an American passport, it is necessary to verify if your child possesses Chinese nationality before we can confirm his/her entitlement for the Macao permanent resident status. According to the stipulation of Article 5 of the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China, any person whose parent(s) is/are a Chinese national and has/have settled abroad at the time of his/her birth will acquire foreign nationality and thus, he/she does not possess Chinese nationality. Due to the reason that your child was born in the United States upon your settlement there, your child acquired American nationality at birth and does not have Chinese nationality. Therefore, your child is not eligible to apply for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR in accordance with the stipulation of Article 1 (1) of Administrative Regulation No. 7/1999. If you would like to enquire about the application details in regard to your child’s residence in Macao with the reason of family reunion, please contact the Residence and Stay Affairs Department (Departamento para os Assuntos de Residência e Permanência) of the Macao Public Security Police Force (PSP) (Address: Edifício de Serviços de Migração, Travessa Um do Cais de Pac On, Taipa, Macao, tel: 28725488, website: https://www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/eng/main.html )for further details.
21. I am a Chinese national. I settled in Macao with a One-way Permit in 1981 and I am holding a Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card. In 1990, I went to Australia with a student visa to further my studies. During my stay in Australia, I gave birth to a child whose father is an Australian. My child is now holding an Australian passport. Now we want to return to Macao for settlement. How can my child apply for a Macao SAR Resident Identity Card?
Since your child is holding an Australian passport, this Bureau must first verify if your child has Chinese nationality in order to confirm his/her entitlement to Macao permanent resident status. According to the stipulations of Article 5 of the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China, persons whose parent was a Chinese citizen and who were born outside Macao will acquire Chinese nationality. Since you were not settled in Australia at the time of your child’s birth, your child belongs to the above condition and he/she will acquire Chinese nationality. In accordance with the stipulations of Article 1 (1) of Administrative Regulation No. 7/1999, your child is eligible to apply for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR. After successful verification of your child’s eligibility, the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode will be issued. Your child can then apply for the Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card at the Identification Services Bureau.
22. My wife and I are both Chinese citizens and we settled in Macao with a One-way Permit in 1981. We are holding Macao SAR Resident Identity Cards. During my family visit in Australia in 1990, my son was born there. Later, my family were authorized to reside in Australia and we became naturalized as Australian nationals. My son is now holding an Australian passport. Now, we want to return to Macao for settlement. How can my child apply for the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card?
Since your son is holding an Australian passport, this Bureau must first verify if he acquires Chinese nationality in order to confirm his entitlement to the Macao permanent resident status. According to the stipulation of Article 5 of the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China, a person will acquire Chinese nationality if he/she was born outside Macao and whose parent(s) was/were Chinese citizen. Due to the reason that you and your spouse had not settled in Australia at the time of your son’s birth, he acquired Chinese nationality at birth. Nevertheless, in accordance with the stipulation of Article 9 of the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China, Chinese citizen who has settled abroad and who has voluntarily become naturalized or acquired a foreign nationality will automatically lose Chinese nationality. In your son’s case, since he has settled in Australia after birth and voluntarily became a naturalized citizen of Australia, he automatically lost his Chinese nationality. As a result, he is not eligible to apply for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR as he does not fulfill the stipulation of Article 1 (1c) of Law No. 8/1999. For enquiries about the application for the residence of your son in Macao by means of family reunion, you can contact the Residence and Stay Affairs Department (Departamento para os Assuntos de Residência e Permanência) of the Macao Public Security Police Force (PSP) (Address: Edifício de Serviços de Migração, Travessa Um do Cais de Pac On, Taipa, Macao; Tel: 28725488; Website: https://www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/eng/main.html)for further details.
23. I settled in Macao in 1981 with a One-way Permit and I am holding a Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card. In 1990, I got married with a Chinese from Mainland. Later, my wife gave birth to our daughter. In 1996, my wife and my daughter settled in England with their Chinese passport. They became a naturalized national of England in 2005. Can my daughter reside in Macao by applying for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR?
Since your daughter is holding a British passport, this Bureau must first verify if she acquires Chinese nationality in order to confirm her entitlement to the Macao permanent resident status. In accordance with the stipulation of Article 9 of the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China, Chinese citizen who has settled abroad and who has voluntarily become naturalized or acquired a foreign nationality will automatically lose Chinese nationality. Your daughter originally possessed Chinese nationality (please refer to Article 4 of The Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China for details of the acquisition of Chinese nationality), but she has emigrated to England and became a naturalized citizen of England. Therefore, she automatically lost her Chinese nationality. As she does not fulfill the stipulation of Article 1 (1) (3) of Law No. 8/1999, she cannot confirm her entitlement to the right oaf abode in the Macao SAR by applying for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR. For enquiries about the application for the residence of your child in Macao by means of family reunion, you can contact the Residence and Stay Affairs Department (Departamento para os Assuntos de Residência e Permanência) of the Macao Public Security Police Force (PSP) (Address: Edifício de Serviços de Migração, Travessa Um do Cais de Pac On, Taipa, Macao; Tel: 28725488; Website: https://www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/eng/main.html )for further details.
24. I am of both Chinese and Portuguese descents. Before the establishment of the Macao SAR, I settled in Portugal with my Portuguese husband and gave birth to my daughter. Later, we got divorced. Now, I am preparing to return to Macao with my daughter and live with my parents. In this case, is it necessary for my daughter to apply for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR?
Since your daughter was born in Portugal and both you and your spouse had settled in Portugal at the time of her birth, she acquired the Portuguese nationality at birth. In accordance with the stipulation of Article 5 of the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China, your daughter is not eligible to acquire Chinese nationality although she is of both Chinese and Portuguese descents. Therefore, she cannot choose her nationality. She does not belong to the “Persons born outside Macao who hold Chinese nationality or have not yet chosen their nationality and who take Macao as a place of permanent residence and whose parent, at the time of their birth, was a Macao permanent resident of both Chinese and Portuguese descent” as stipulated to Article 1(1)(6) of Law No. 8/1999. Therefore, she cannot confirm the right of abode in Macao by applying for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR in accordance with Article 1(1) of Administrative Regulation No. 7/1999.
25. My husband and I are Macao permanent residents of Chinese nationality. Not long ago, we moved to Japan for residence with our Portuguese passports and I gave birth to my son there. However, my son did not acquire Japanese nationality at birth. Can he apply for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR in order to confirm his right of abode in the Macao SAR?
Due to the reason that your son did not acquire Japanese nationality at birth despite the fact that he was born in Japan and you and your husband were residing there at that time, he still possesses Chinese nationality in accordance with the stipulation of Article 5 of the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China. Therefore, he is eligible to apply for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR in order to confirm his right of abode in Macao.
26. I am a Macao permanent resident. A year ago, I got married with a Chinese citizen from Mainland and later my wife gave birth to our son. Now, I want my son to come to Macao for settlement. Does he need to apply for the Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the Macao SAR?
Your son is a resident in Mainland China. In accordance with the stipulations of Article 1 (2) of Administrative Regulation No. 7/1999, persons born in the Mainland whose parent was a Macao permanent resident at the time of their birth must lodge an application for residence in Macao by means of “Special Quota” at the local public security authority where their household registration records are kept.
27. I am a Chinese citizen and have just become a Macao SAR permanent resident this year for having resided in Macao for a continuous period of 7 years. My wife and my five-year old son are still residing in Mainland China. Can my son claim that he has the right of abode in Macao and apply for the Macao SAR Resident Identity Card?
Due to the reason that your son is a resident in Mainland China and he was born before you became a Macao SAR Permanent Resident, he is not eligible for being a Macao SAR Permanent Resident. However, he can lodge an application for residence in Macao by means of “Family Reunion” at the local public security authority where his household registration record is kept.