Everything you need to know about a Macao Visa
Macao
might fall within the People’s Republic of China. However, since it is a
Special Administrative Region, it has its own immigration policies. British
passport holders can stay in the nation for up to six months without a visa.
Sounds great right? But there are certain rules you must follow in order to be
granted a visa-free entry into the country.
One
of the primary requirements is the validity of your passport. Generally, your
passport should be valid for at least one month from your date of arrival in
Macao. But we strongly recommend that you carry a passport which is 6-months
valid at all times.
Additional
requirements include possession of evidence of sufficient funds and evidence of
onward travel. In order to avoid unnecessary complications upon arriving in
Macao, you should contact the embassy in advance and verify the document
checklist prior to your travel dates.
If
your itinerary includes a visit to China, you must obtain a Chinese visa before
arrival at the border. If you own a British passport and fail to follow this
rule, you might be fined and even detained by immigration authorities.
On the
other hand, if you plan to travel to Macao through mainland China and again
exit via China, you need to secure a double-entry or multiple-entry Chinese
visa.
Entry requirements for UK residents not holding a British passport
Foreign travelers residing in the UK but not holding a British citizen passport may need to obtain an entry permit or a visa in order to be allowed admission into Macao.
You can check whether you need a visa to enter the countryhere. And if your name is not in the list of visa-exempt nations, you need to follow the visa application process as outlined below:
You have to apply for a visa on arrival after you land at any of the border checkpoints of the Immigration Department of the Public Security Police in Macao.
However, natives from Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam need to apply for a visa prior to their travels through the Chinese embassy or consulate in their home country. In other words, they are not eligible for a visa on arrival.
Again, if you are eligible for a VOA but wish to obtain a visa in advance, you can do so by lodging an application with the Immigration Department for an Authorization to Enter and Stay in Macao. You can even apply for a visa to the Macao Special Administrative Region prior to your travels through the Chinese embassy or consulate in the UK or your home country.
Visa on arrival
Now, if you are eligible for and have decided to opt for the visa on arrival facility, you need to apply for one at the Visa Room, located in border checkpoints at points of entry.
If your documents are in order, you will be issued an Authorization to Stay that grants a stay for a maximum of up to 30 days per visit.
A visa on arrival is granted to travelers visiting Macao as individuals, in groups, with their family, or with their kids aged below 12 years. The fees differ as per the visa type. It is issued in multiple entries. So you can use the Entry Permit to enter and exit Macau several times within the validity period of one month.
Visa in advance through a Chinese embassy or consulate
Macao ordinary visas are available in single entry (three months validity with maximum stay period of 14 days per visit), double entries (three months validity with maximum stay period of 14 days per visit), and multiple entries (six months validity with maximum stay period of 14 days per visit).
The documents required in order to apply for a visa in advance through the Chinese embassy or consulate are as follows:
Visit visa (tourism, business, or family visit)
- An application form, filled in with the required details. Do not forget to sign the document once it is complete
- A copy of your passport that is valid for at least 6 months and has a minimum of 2 blank visa pages
- Proof of financial status, such as a recent bank statement, bank book of savings account, tax receipt, or an employee certificate
- Evidence of return travel in the form of round-trip tickets
- Proof of accommodation, such as hotel reservation receipts
- Evidence of the purpose of stay, which can be presented in the form of a residence permit, stay document, or Macao Identity Card of your sponsor in Macao
- Travel documents that contain Macao entry and exit stamps (if applicable)
Work visa
- A fully filled in and signed application form
- Copies of the information pages of your valid passport
- A copy of the employment approval document which is obtained from the authorities in Macao
In order to go ahead with the visa application process for either of the above visa types, you need to attach all the above documents, visit the nearest Chinese consulate or embassy, and submit the package after paying the applicable visa fee.
If the visa is approved, you should receive the stamped passport within five working days.