Macao residents will be able to start collecting their new generation ID cards featuring a wider range of uses for government services from around the beginning of September next year.
Identification Services Bureau (DSI) Deputy Director Chao Wai Ieng told lawmakers yesterday that residents would be able to renew their ID cards before their expiry date.
Chao was speaking during a one-day Q&A session in the legislature’s hemicycle when Secretary for Administration and Justice André Cheong Weng Chon and other officials under his portfolio answered questions from legislators.
Chao also noted that Macao issued the first generation of smart ID cards in 2002, the fourth region in the world to do so.
The DSI started to issue the current generation of smart ID cards in 2013.
Chao said that around 400,000 Macao residents are slated to renew their ID cards in 2024, 2025 and 2026 when their cards expire.
Chao underlined that the government will not set a deadline for the replacement of current smart ID cards, so the renewal process will be carried out naturally allowing residents to renew their ID cards before they expire.
Chao also noted that currently residents can use their ID cards for various government services, such as casting their ballots in legislative elections, and can also be used for crossing border checkpoints through e-channels and in government self-service kiosks.
Chao said that the next generation’s smart ID cards’ uses will continue to be extended, and will feature strengthened encryption technology and security features.
Over-60s ID cards are valid permanently, so holders can choose not to replace their ID cards with the new ones.
Normally Macao ID cards are valid for 10 years, The Macau Post Daily reported.
