New blue cards to feature real-time validity

Residence permit cards of non-resident workers, colloquially known as blue cards, will now allow authorities to conduct a real-time check on the permit’s expiry date via the QR code on the card, the Public Security Police Force (PSP) indicated.
Figures from authorities show that some 40,000 non-resident workers saw their employment contracts terminated before the expiry of their authorization to remain in Macau as the expiry date shown on the card does not precisely show their actual labor situation.
According to the PSP, they have removed the date from the new design of the card and have replaced it with a QR code.
The information will also include the marital status of the blue card holder and their travel document information.
“The launch of the Non-resident Worker’s Card will make it more convenient and efficient for both the employers and non-resident workers. It will also facilitate our cooperation with the government in promoting the development of e-government services,” the PSP said in a statement.
At present, there are about 170,000 non-resident workers in the region. As the old non-resident worker’s card remains valid until the authorization to stay expires, it is expected that it will take two years to replace all the cards.
The changes took effect yesterday.