The Guangdong Provincial Department of Public Security has announced 20 new measures for residents effective this month. Measures include facilitating the handling of endorsement for individuals who hold an at least one-year 'Residence Permit' in any city in Guangdong to apply for a passport and Exit-entry Permit for travelling to and from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan without needing to travel back to their place of household registration for the application. In addition, via a convenient, easy-to-operate ATM-like machine, residents can get their endorsements within five minutes. The machine also enables residents to apply for an Exit-entry Permit by presenting their identity card and bank cards.

Individuals under 16 or over 60 can use their ID card to apply for the permit, while those who hold Hong Kong and Macau permits can apply for a visa without submitting their residence permit. Non-Shenzhen citizens, however, may not apply for a 'one week, one time' Hong Kong or Macau permit.

In addition, self-service permit machines have been piloted in Zhuhai, Dongguan, Maoming, Jiangmen, Yunfu, Huizhou, Zhongshan and Shunde and other places. In future, it may be accessed 24 hours in a permit hall and most local police stations.

Self-service permit machines have eight functions including pre-submission, making an appointment, visa/permit application, credit card payment, application enquiries, visa/permit enquiries, self-fabrication and on-site fabrication. Applicants must bring their ID card, bank card and other documents to use the machine.