Authorization To Stay
Macau Arrival Card front
Macau Arrival Card back
Former Macau Arrival Card, was replaced in 2021
Former Macau passport stamps, was replaced in 2013

The Government of the Macau Special Administrative Region allows citizens of specific countries/territories to travel to Macau for tourism or business purposes for periods ranging from 14 to 180 days without having to obtain a visa.[1] For other entry purposes, such as establishing residence on a long-term basis, a different policy applies.

The Serviço de Migração (Immigration Department), under the Public Security Police Force, is the government agency responsible for immigration matters, whilst the Public Security Police Force itself is responsible for enforcing immigration laws in Macau.[2]

All visitors must hold a passport, travel document and any other documents accepted for the purpose of immigration control valid for 90 days beyond the period of intended stay in Macau.

Under the one country, two systems policy, Macau maintains its immigration and visa policy independently from the rest of China. Consequently, entering Macau from mainland China or Hong Kong requires passing through immigration checkpoints of mainland China or Hong Kong. Whilst Hong Kong residents have visa-free access for short visits to Macau, mainland residents must obtain a Two-way Permit (EEP) with the appropriate exit endorsement from the Chinese Ministry of Public Security before visiting Macau.

Visa policy map

Countries and territories whose citizens can enter Macau without a visa
  Macau
  Visa-free - 1 year (Hong Kong)
  Visa-free - 6 months (UK)
  Visa-free - 90 days
  Visa-free - 30 days
  Visa-free - 14 days
  Visa on arrival
  Visa required in advance (Visa on arrival ineligible)

Unrestricted stay

Under Macanese laws, holders of the following documents are residents of Macau and are allowed to return to Macau:[3][4][5]

Visa exemption

Holders of passports issued by following countries and Hong Kong permanent residents can enter Macau as a visitor without a visa (for a maximum period as stated below): [6] [7] [1]

1 year (1)
  •  Hong Kong (Hong Kong Permanent Residents only, regardless of nationality)
6 months (1)
90 days (56)
30 days (24)

1 - also applicable to holders of Taiwan Compatriot Permits.

Holders of a travel document issued by Portugal to non-citizens who are unable to obtain national passports are also exempt from possessing a visa to enter Macau for a maximum of 30 days.[7]

14 days (1)
Unlimited access

Not in force

Macau plans to introduce a visa-free regime with  Kazakhstan.[8]

Entry procedures for Chinese nationals not residing in Macau

Special regulations are in force for persons of Chinese nationality who are not residents of Macau.

Residency Travel document Duration of stay
China Mainland China Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau (Two-way Permit)[9]
 Varies, maximum 90 days
Chinese passport
Chinese Travel Document
Travel Permit to and from Taiwan for Mainland Residents		 7 days (for transit from/to a third country only)
 Hong Kong Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card
Hong Kong Re-entry Permit		 1 year
Hong Kong Document of Identity for Visa Purposes 30 days
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport 7 days (for transit from/to a third country only)

Mainland China

Mainland Chinese visitors to Macau are required to hold a Two-way Permit. The duration of stay is the one indicated on the exit endorsement, but if the duration indicated is longer than 90 days, the person must report to PSPF for a "special authorization of stay" within the first 90 days of entry.[7] For those who are travelling to a third country or region, they can alternatively use their Chinese passports, Chinese Travel Documents or Travel Permits to and from Taiwan for Mainland Residents for a maximum stay of 7 days.[7]

Non-permanent residents of Hong Kong with residency in mainland China are required to travel with the Two-way Permit along with the valid entry endorsement when travelling directly between Hong Kong and Macau.[7]

Hong Kong

Permanent residents of Hong Kong holding valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards or Hong Kong Re-entry Permits are granted a stay of 1 year upon entry. Non-permanent residents of Macao can enter for up to 30 days if they hold a Hong Kong Document of Identity for Visa Purposes to Macau.[7]

Holders of HKSAR passports are granted a stay of 7 days providing they are transiting to a third country.[7]

Entry procedures for visa nationals

Sample of a Macau visa issued by Chinese missions (old version)

Those holding travel documents that are not listed above will be required to obtain an Entry Permit (Visa On Arrival or VOA)[10] for entry to Macau, either prior to arrival or on arrival. Visa on arrival provides granted Authorization to Stay for a maximum of 30 days once the application is approved. Updated VOA application fees as of Aug 2023 are MOP200 (single entry) / MOP300 (multiple entry) for individual, MOP400 (single entry) / MOP600 (multiple entry) for family passport, MOP100 (single entry) / MOP150 (multiple entry) for children under 12 with individual passport and MOP100 (single entry) / MOP150 (multiple entry) for groups of at least 10 people organized by a single travel manager and presenting a collective travel document. Alternatively, they can apply for an "Authorization to Enter and Stay" through a representative in Macau.

Nationals of the following countries must obtain a visa in advance through the Chinese diplomatic mission (unless they hold a Hong Kong identity card).[1][11] They can apply for an "Authorization to Enter and Stay" through a representative only when there are no Chinese diplomatic missions in their country or region of residence.[12]

Entry refusal

Under Macanese law, visitors will be denied entry if:[7]

  • they have been deported from Macau,
  • they have been prohibited from entering, staying in or transiting through Macau in accordance with local or international law.

In addition, visitors may be denied entry if:

  • they are frequently entering Macau without justification,
  • they have criminal convictions resulting in incarceration,
  • they have committed, or have the intention of committing, a crime,
  • they have no proof to support that they are bona fide visitors who will leave Macau at the end of their visit (e.g., insufficient funds, not possessing onward tickets or not possessing genuine travel documents).

Extending short stays in Macau

Visitors who have entered with short stay status can extend their "Authorization to Stay", should their travel plans change, by no more than 90 days. This can be done by applying at the local Serviço de Migração office.[13]

Transit

Nationals who would normally require visas may enter Macau without a visa for 48 hours if they arrive and depart from Macau International Airport.[1][7]

Long stay

Special Authorization to Stay for Non-resident Students

Non-resident students in possession of a valid travel document have to go to the Foreigners Subdivision of the Serviço de Migração office located in Taipa, to apply for a "Special Authorization to Stay" (Chinese: 外地學生之逗留的特別許可, Portuguese: Autorização Especial de Permanência para Estudantes do Exterior). The Special Authorization to Stay for Non-resident Students is usually valid until 31 December if the study program ends on a date beyond the year, or valid until the last day of the program if the study program ends within the same year.[14] For those who are enrolled in a study program which ends on a date beyond the year, can renew their Special Authorization to Stay for Non-resident Students before the expiry (expiries usually 31 December), only if the Non-resident student continues to be enrolled in the study program at the same higher institute in Macau.[15]

Residence

Those wanting to take up residence in Macau for purposes of investment can do so via the Macau Trade and Investment Office in Macau, and then visit the local Serviço de Migração office.[16]

Those wanting to take up residence for other reasons, such as employment, are required to make their application at their local Serviço de Migração office. The procedure varies depending on nationality and residency status. Chinese and Portuguese nationals should make their application via the Comissariado de Residentes at the local Serviço de Migração office, whilst foreign nationals should apply via the Comissariado de Estrangeiros at the local Serviço de Migração office.

Visitor statistics

Most visitors arriving to Macao were holding travel documents issued by the following countries:[17]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Visa and passport". Timatic. International Air Transport Association through Emirates. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  2. ↑ Serviço de Migração
  3. ↑ Documents to be Used by Macao Residents for Entry to and Departure from Macao
  4. ↑ 澳門特別行政區居留制度淺析
  5. ↑ Visit Permit for Residents of Macao SAR to Hong Kong SAR
  6. ↑ "Immigration Clearance of Non-residents of Macao".
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Entry and Exit of Non-residents
  8. ↑ Kazakhstan and Macau to introduce visa-free regime
  9. ↑ https://www.timaticweb.com/cgi-bin/tim_website_client.cgi?SpecData=1&VISA=&page=visa&NA=CN&AR=00&PASSTYPES=PASS&DE=MO&user=GF&subuser=GFB2C
  10. ↑ https://www.gov.mo/en/services/ps-1474/ps-1474b/
  11. ↑ Application for Macao Visa through Chinese Embassy or Consulate
  12. ↑ Authorization to Enter and Stay
  13. ↑ Extension of "Authorization to Stay"
  14. ↑ "Special Authorization to Stay" for Non-resident Students
  15. ↑ Renewal of "Special Authorization to Stay" for Non-resident Students
  16. ↑ Applying for Residence in Macao S.A.R.
  17. ↑ Tourism Statistics


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