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.
Measures
With the implementation of the Regulations for Promoting the Development of Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin from 1 March 2023, to ensure that residents originally living in Macao will not have their rights affected under the two-tier social security system because of going to the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin (the "Cooperation Zone in Hengqin” for short) for development and living, these residents who have gone to the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin for study, work, entrepreneurship, or living since 1 March 2023 can make a claim to the Social Security Fund for the time spent in the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin be considered as in Macao, when applying for enrollment in the Arbitrary System or claiming the right to be included in the government allocation list of the Non-Mandatory Central Provident Fund.
The relevant claimants must fill in a special declaration form of the Social Security Fund, stating the period and address of their stay in the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, the reason for staying in the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, and their connection with Macao. They must also submit relevant supporting documents, e.g. proof of employment letter, proof of school attendance, or proof of residence. If the three conditions of appropriateness, legality, and life relevance* are met simultaneously, upon review and approval, the period spent in the Cooperation Zone in Hengqin can be considered in MacaoNote.
NOTE: Residents who have already met a reason stipulated by current laws can continue to follow the original procedures.
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Procedures for Applying for Enrollment in the Arbitrary System