Background

To ensure that the beneficiaries have a closer connection with Macao and to maintain the reasonable use of public funds, both enrollment in the Arbitrary System of Macao's Social Security System and government allocations to the Non-Mandatory Central Provident Fund require that individuals must be in Macao for at least 183 days.  The current laws already specified certain exceptions that can be considered the time spent in Macao, including retirees aged 65 years and over living in mainland China, students studying outside Macao, or individuals working outside Macao to bear the main living expenses of relatives living in Macao.  A claim can be made to the Social Security Fund on humanitarian or other justified grounds if the specified exceptions in the law are not met but there are appropriate reasons. 

Overview

To protect the two-tier social security rights of Macao residents who move to the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin (hereinafter referred to as the “Cooperation Zone in Hengqin”) for development and living purposes, residents moving there for study, work, entrepreneurship, or residence can make a request to the Social Security Fund. When applying for enrollment in the Arbitrary System or claiming eligibility for government allocations to the Non-Mandatory Central Provident Fund System, the time spent in the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin can be counted as time spent in Macao.

Procedures for Making a Request

Applicants must complete a dedicated declaration form provided by the Social Security Fund. They need to declare the duration of their stay, their address within the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, the reason for their stay, and their connection to Macao. Supporting documents, such as a letter of employment, proof of academic attendance, or proof of residence, must also be submitted. Once the request is approved, the time spent in the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin will be considered equivalent to time spent in Macao^Note.

1. For enrollment under the Arbitrary System, please refer to the Procedures for Applying for Enrollment in the Arbitrary System

2. For objection statements regarding the Non-Mandatory Central Provident Fund, refer to the Procedures for Claiming Inclusion on the Government Allocation List of the Non-Mandatory Central Provident Fund

Note: Residents who have a reason outlined in the existing law can continue to follow the original procedures..