Drop in temporary residency applications last year

The Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) registered a fall in the applications for temporary residency from both the category of ‘managerial personnel, technical and professional qualification holders’ and those planning making major investments here last year.
The Institute received a total of 436 applications for temporary residency via non-resident managerial personnel, technical and professional qualification holders last year, a fall of 151 cases compared to the previous year, according to the latest information published by the Institute.
It also received 80 applications for temporary residency last year from those making a ‘major investment’ or committing to enact a ‘major investment plan’ here, a fall of 25 applications compared to 2013.
IPIM did not specify the type of professionals or investment plans made by those applying for temporary residency here.
A total of 506 people, or 277 cases, were successfully approved for temporary residency here last year via applying through their professional qualifications; while 104 people, or 45 cases, were approved for temporary residency via their commitment to an investment plan.
Applicants who have obtained the status of temporary residency and the Macau non-permanent identity card can, after maintaining it for seven consecutive years, approach the local Identification Bureau to apply for a permanent residency.
Macau’s investment immigration scheme, which required investment of one million patacas in property and 500,000 patacas in fixed deposits, was suspended in April 4, 2007 due to mounting criticism at the time that the scheme had invited rampant property speculation. This scheme had been in effect since April 4, 2005.
More than 23,000 people were granted residency here via application for the investment immigration scheme, data from IPIM shows.