Visa policy of Macau
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. For other entry purposes, such as establishing residence on a long term basis, a different policy applies.
The Serviço de Migração, 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.
All visitors must hold a passport valid for 1 month.
Unrestricted stay
Under Macanese laws, holders of the following documents are residents of Macau and are allowed to return to Macau:- Macau Resident Identity Card
- Macao Special Administrative Region passport
- Macao Special Administrative Region Travel Permit
- Visit Permit for Residents of Macao to HKSAR
Short stays in Macau
Visa exemptions
Holders of passports issued by following countries and Hong Kong permanent residents can enter Macau as a visitor without a visa :1 year (1)
6 months (1)
90 days (56)
30 days (23)
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.
14 days (1)
Unlimited access
Not in force
Macau plans to introduce a visa-free regime with.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 |
Mainland China | Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau | Varies, maximum 90 days |
Mainland China | Chinese passport Chinese Travel Document Travel Permit to and from Taiwan for Mainland Residents | 7 days |
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 |
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. 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.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.
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. However, holders of Hong Kong SAR passports are only granted a stay of 7 days provided they are travelling to a third country or region.Non-permanent residents of Hong Kong who are of Chinese nationality and without mainland residency are required to use their Hong Kong Document of Identity for Visa Purposes when entering Macau. They can stay for a maximum of 30 days.
Entry procedures for visa nationals
Those holding travel documents that are not listed above will be required to obtain a visa for entry to Macau, either prior to arrival or on arrival. Visa on arrival is valid for 30 days and can be used multiple times during its validity without the need of obtaining a new one. The application fee is MOP 100 per individual, MOP 200 per family passport, and MOP 50 per child under age 12 and per member of a tourist group of more than 10 people. 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. 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.
Entry refusal
Under Macanese law, visitors will be denied entry if:- 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.
- they are frequently entering Macau without justification,
- they have criminal convictions resulting in incarceration,
- they have, 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.
Extending short stays in Macau
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.Long stays
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". 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. 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, only if the Non-resident student continues to be enrolled in the study program at the same higher institute in Macau.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.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:Country/Territory | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
22,196,203 | 20,454,104 | 20,410,615 | 21,252,410 | |
6,165,129 | 6,419,839 | 6,534,543 | 6,426,608 | |
1,060,107 | 1,074,525 | 988,059 | 953,753 | |
874,253 | 662,321 | 554,177 | 554,521 | |
328,990 | 300,613 | 282,217 | 299,849 | |
307,139 | 287,025 | 276,806 | 262,853 | |
218,301 | 222,809 | 229,102 | 250,046 | |
198,222 | 236,169 | 180,836 | 175,906 | |
197,139 | 182,467 | 163,353 | 189,189 | |
186,378 | 190,885 | 182,532 | 181,457 | |
148,121 | 165,278 | 167,578 | 167,216 | |
143,068 | 155,763 | 158,814 | 196,491 | |
88,988 | 93,286 | 92,404 | 105,914 | |
74,287 | 75,173 | 70,973 | 70,601 | |
57,121 | 61,301 | 59,985 | 60,756 | |
Total | 32,610,506 | 30,950,336 | 30,714,628 | 31,525,632 |