Types Of Visas In Macau: Explained

Stepping into Macau, the crossroads of culture and commerce, requires more than just a sense of adventure—it requires the right visa. Fret Not! We’ve got you covered for this!

From the neon glow of its casinos to the serene streets of its Portuguese heritage, Macau offers a mosaic of experiences. Whether you’re drawn by business prospects or the allure of its rich history, understanding the diverse visa options is your first step into this vibrant enclave.

Let’s dive in!

Do You Require A Visa For Macau?

Visa-Exempt Countries

At present, the Macau Immigration Department authorises visitors from 81 countries to enter the country without the legal requirement of a visa for travel or business endeavours for a duration ranging from 14 days to a year, depending upon the visitor’s nationality.

The 81 countries that are exempted are enlisted below alongside their authorised period of stay:

Period of Stay	Country
14 Days	Brunei
30 Days	Australia, Canada, Chile, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Malaysia, Moldova, Namibia, Philippines, Republic of Argentina, Republic of Ecuador, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, U.S.A, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay
90 Days	Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kingdom of Morocco, The Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Norway, Mongolia, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Armenia, Republic of Belarus, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania
180 Days	U.K.

Visa Exemption Policies For Different Individuals

The following individuals are also exempted from the visa requirement for entering Macau:

Holders of the Hong Kong permanent identity cards or re-entry permits authorised to stay up to a year.
Holders of diplomatic passports (otherwise known as the Laissez Passer) as issued by the United Nations or ‘Diplomatic and Consular Documents’ as issued by the Macau SAR Government are authorised to stay without any restrictions.
Nationals or residents of a country or region holding a passport issued by a country or region that has reached a mutual visa exemption agreement with the Macao SAR with the authorisation to stay not exceeding the specified time in the relevant agreement.
Holders of the People’s Republic of China’s “Permit to Travel to and from Hong Kong and Macau” and a valid “Endorsement for Traveling to Macau” with a maximum period of 90 days.
Holders of Macau’s “Non-Resident Employee Identification Card”.
Individuals granted “Special Authorization to Stay” because they are studying or depend on foreign workers.

Individuals That Require The Macau Visa For Entry

For individuals from countries not mentioned above or those from the listed countries planning to stay in Macau beyond the permitted duration, visas are required for entry.

Similarly, individuals visiting Macau for purposes other than travel or business must also obtain visas.

There are two primary methods for acquiring a visa:

Obtain a ‘Visa on Arrival’ at any of the border checkpoints of the Immigration Department in Macau.
Obtain a Macau visa through a Chinese embassy or consulate in the country of origin before travelling to Macau.

However, as of the 2010 regulations update, visitors from six specified countries—Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam—must obtain a visa through a Chinese embassy or consulate before arriving in Macau.

The option of ‘port visas’ or visas obtained on arrival is unavailable for individuals from these countries.

How Can You Obtain A Macau Visa?

Categories Of Visas

There are three major categories of Visas for Macau.

These are listed below alongside their validity period:

Diplomatic Visa: Valid once within 3 months; each stay period is 14 days.
Official Visa: Valid for 2 times within 3 months; each stay period is 14 days.
Ordinary Visa: Valid multiple times within 6 months; each stay period is 14 days.

The Visa-Attainment Process

Before selecting the category of the visa, individuals must specify the purpose of their visit, which determines the documentation requirements for the application process.

Visa On Arrival

For individuals that are permitted to obtain their visa upon arrival as stated above (except for the six exempted countries), an application must be submitted at any of the border checkpoints.

Once approved, these individuals will be granted an “Authorization to Stay” for 30 days.

Required Documents:

Passport (valid for at least one month beyond the return date and with at least two blank pages)
Arrival card application (filled at border checkpoints)
Proof of accommodation (hotel reservation)
Other documents that support the intended visit

Cost:
The costs listed below are the latest monetary requirements as per the website of the Government Portal of Macau Special Administrative Region of The People’s Republic of China and may be subject to change.

Category	Cost
Personal	MOP 200 (one-time) MOP 300 (multiple times)
Family Passport	MOP 400 (one-time) MOP 600 (multiple times)
Children under 12 years old	MOP 100 (one-time) MOP 150 (multiple times)
Groups of at least ten people organised by the same tour operator, presenting documentation proving group travel	MOP 100 (one-time) MOP 150 (multiple times)

Visa Through The Chinese Embassy/Consulate

This option is mandatory for the six specified countries- Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, and it is an alternative for those individuals who require a visa but do not opt for the visa on arrival.

Required Documents

The documentation required to apply for a visa before an individual’s arrival in Macau depends on the purpose of the intended visit. Per the updated application guidelines, the following documents are required:

Purpose Of Stay: Work

Macau visa application form.
Valid passport (copy alongside the original).
Permit to stay for non-resident workers or renewal of authorisation to stay (work permit)

Purpose Of Stay: Visiting Family Of Non- Resident Workers

Macau visa application form.
Valid passport (copy alongside the original).
Permit to stay for non-resident worker’s reuniting family.
Certificate of kinship.
Round trip air ticket booking (The departure date should be 15-30 working days from the application submission date, and returning date from Macau should not be more than 14 days from the arrival date).
Accommodation documents, including bank statements and bills of 3 months of the relatives in Macau or proof of hotel booking.
Financial proof documentation (Balance confirmation of Macau of the period within 1 month, with a balance > 15,000 MOP).

Purpose Of Stay: Tourism, Emergency, Official Business Or Private Affairs

Macau visa application form.
Original valid passport, photocopies of the first page and all used inner pages of the passport.
Proof of the purpose of the visit.
Travel documents affixed with Macau entry and exit stamps (if any).
Valid entry visa or residence visa/permit of other countries or regions (if any).
Certificate of kinship.
Round trip air ticket booking (The departure date should be 15-30 working days from the application submission date, and returning date from Macau should not be more than 14 days from the arrival date).
Accommodation documents, including bank statements and bills of 3 months of the relatives in Macau or proof of hotel booking.
Financial proof document (Balance confirmation of Macau of the period within 1 month, with a balance > 10,000 MOP).

Purpose Of Stay: Pursuing Higher Studies At An Institute In Macau

Macau visa application form.
The original and copy of valid passport.
Documents of financial status (Balance confirmation of Macao of the period within 1 month, with a balance > 15,000 MOP).
Admission documents issued by a higher institute in Macau.
Reservation documents of return flight (if the program taken by the student lasts for less than 6 months).

Purpose Of Stay: Group Tour

The guarantee letter from the travel agency hosting the tour group and the list of group members.
Information on the Macau travel agency hosting the tour group.
Photocopy of the identity page of the group members’ valid passport/travel document.

Processing Fees And Time

Type	Fees	Processing Time
Normal	MOP 242	Five working days
Expedited	MOP 403	Three working days
Urgent	MOP 484	Same-day or next working day
Applications that have to be forwarded to the Macau Immigration Department	MOP 242 and an additional communication fee of MOP 161	Approximately three weeks (Expedited/Urgent application is not available)

Conclusion

As our exploration of Macau’s visa landscape concludes, you’re now armed with the knowledge to choose the right passage for your journey.

Macau, a city where East meets West in harmony, awaits your story. With the correct visa in hand, the doors to this dazzling destination are wide open—ready for you to discover its endless charms and hidden treasures.

Discover Diversity!

But wait! There’s lot more that you might be interested in following: