The Identification Services Bureau was confirmed by the Consulate General of Japan in Hong Kong that Macao SAR Passport holders can participate in the Japan’s Trusted Traveler Program (abbreviated as TTP).  Participants can use the automated immigration clearance system of Japan after registration, which will expedite the process of immigration clearance of Macao residents to Japan.

Eligibilities of Applicants

Users of the above-mentioned program have to meet the relevant requirements of the Immigration Bureau of Japan, such as persons who intend to stay in Japan for a short period of time for such purposes as commercial business, sightseeing or visiting relatives, persons who have visited Japan at least two times within the 12-month period prior to the day of registration, persons who do not have a record of departure from Japan pursuant to a deportation order or a departure order, persons who have been affiliated with the designated organizations or companies in the capacity of full-time employee for at least 1 year and intend to continue in their position, persons who have not been sentenced to a fine or a greater criminal punishment in Japan or another country, etc.

There are no age restrictions on the use of the automated immigration clearance system of Japan provided that the users can capture their fingerprints and operate the machine by themselves at the time of using the automated gates.

Registration Procedures

Eligible persons can lodge an application and electronically submit the necessary materials on the website of the Immigration Bureau of Japan prior to entry into Japan.  Upon receipt of the application, the Immigration Bureau of Japan will conduct a preliminary review and send an electronic notification of the result to the applicants.  Besides, it is also possible to apply in person at the registration booths located in the airports of Japan.

The result of the preliminary review is valid for 3 months.  Applicants who have passed the preliminary review have to go to Japan to conduct registration procedures for the secondary review within the following 3 months, otherwise they will need to lodge the application again.  The registration counters are located at the immigration inspection area of the airports.  Applicants are required to proceed to the registration counters for the secondary review after usual entry inspection at the immigration booths.  Applicants have to capture their fingerprints, provide other personal identification information and original copies of the materials which they submitted electronically to the Immigration Bureau of Japan during the online application.  After the registration is approved, applicants can pay the registration fee and a registered user card will be issued right after.  Successful registrants will be able to start using the automated immigration clearance system from the time of their next departure.  The above-mentioned registered user card is valid for 3 years, or until the validity date of the registrant’s passport if the remaining validity period of the passport is less than 3 years.

At present, the automated immigration clearance system is available at Narita, Haneda, Chubu and Kansai airports in Japan.  When using the automated immigration clearance system, the passport holders have to operate as instructed by the system.  They can enter Japan after successful verification of their identity.

For the latest information on the application, procedures and locations of Japan’s automated immigration clearance service, please visit the website of the Immigration Bureau of Japan (www.immi-moj.go.jp/ttp2/index.html).

For the list of other countries where holders of Macau SAR electronic passport can use the automated immigration clearance system, please visit the website of the Identification Services Bureau (www.dsi.gov.mo/download/ep_autogate_e.pdf).