IC head: New visas will help artistic and cultural activities

Macau’s artistic and cultural activities will benefit from the new visa schemes with the mainland, which start today, according to the president of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), Deland Leong.

On the sidelines of a public event organized by a gaming concessionaire at the Rua da Felicidade over the weekend, Leong told the press she was happy with the new multiple entry visas and other changes for mainland residents accessing Macau.

“Artists will be able to circulate several times between Macau and the mainland so this will contribute to some programs since several shows are repeated several times,” she said.

“We also need help from several mainland artistic consultants so this measure will help us a lot when we develop some special programs.”

The National Immigration Administration of China last week implemented six new measures to facilitate border crossings between the mainland, Macau and Hong Kong.

The changes include the extension of business visas from seven to 14 days and a facilitation of the movement of highly qualified staff from Beijing and Shanghai, who can apply for “talent visas” for Hong Kong and Macau.

This measure applies to six different categories including outstanding talent, scientific research talent, cultural and educational talent, health talent, legal talent and management talent.

These people can apply for multiple visas with validity periods ranging from one to five years, individually or at the same time, based on their qualifications.

Those approved under this scheme will be able to extend the length of their stays in Hong Kong or Macau for up to 30 days at a time.