MacauVisits and short stays

Macao tourist visa and visa-free entry

Visa and entry permit exemption (Authorization to Stay, usually up to 30 days)

In short

Nationals of 88 countries are exempt from a visa and entry permit for Macao SAR and are granted an Authorization to Stay at the border, normally up to 30 days. You need a passport valid for at least 90 days beyond your intended stay, an onward or return ticket and means of subsistence of at least MOP 5,000. Nationals not on the list use a visa upon arrival, prior authorisation or a Macao visa from a Chinese mission.

checked 24 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
Usually up to 30 days per entry; some passports get longer or shorter limits
Funds required
MOP 5,000 for the stayMinimum for stays of up to 7 days; MOP 10,000 up to 14 days, MOP 15,000 up to 21 days, MOP 20,000 beyond
Work
No; work requires an employment authorisation and a worker's Authorization to Stay
Path to permanent residence
No
Where to apply
No application; Authorization to Stay is granted at the border checkpoint

Who is visa-exempt

By written instruction of the Chief Executive, nationals of 88 countries are exempt from both a visa and an entry permit. The PSP limit-of-stay table gives holders of an ordinary valid passport a maximum of 30 days unless their country is listed for a longer or shorter period, so check the table for your passport before travelling.

Nationals who are not exempt can use the visa-upon-arrival entry permit, prior authorisation or a Macao visa from a Chinese mission. Visas from a Chinese mission allow stays of 14 or 30 days depending on their validity, and nationals of Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam must obtain one in advance because they cannot use the visa upon arrival.

Entry requirements

Your passport must be valid for at least 90 days beyond the period you intend to stay, and the limit of stay can never run closer than 90 days to the passport's expiry date. You need an onward or return ticket, and you must show means of subsistence: at least MOP 5,000 for up to seven days, MOP 10,000 for eight to 14 days, MOP 15,000 for 15 to 21 days and MOP 20,000 for longer stays.

Border officers verify identity through documents or biometric data such as fingerprints and facial features. A visitor who refuses the handling of personal data may be refused entry.

Required documents

Identity

  • Passport valid at least 90 days beyond the intended stay

Travel

  • Onward or return ticket

Money

  • Means of subsistence: MOP 5,000 (up to 7 days) to MOP 20,000 (over 21 days)

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Travel

  • Hotel booking or address in Macao

Other

  • For an extension: form DARP/DARP M-5 and proof of the reason

Extending your stay

If you need to stay longer for a justified reason, apply in person or through a legal agent to the Stay Subdivision of the PSP Residence and Stay Affairs Department, at the Immigration Building in Pac On, Taipa, at least five days before your Authorization to Stay expires. Bring form DARP/DARP M-5, your passport and the slip of Authorization to Stay from your last entry, and documentary proof of the reason, such as a hospital certificate.

The extension is free and decided within one working day, with a maximum of 90 accumulated days. Late or clearly unjustified applications can be rejected outright.

Overstay and refusal of entry

Staying after your Authorization to Stay expires is an administrative infraction. The fine is MOP 500 to 800 for each day, up to MOP 15,000, payable within 10 working days. An overstay of up to 30 days can be regularised if you report yourself or pay immediately when discovered and have not been fined for the same infraction in the past year; otherwise you are deported and banned from entry, and you cannot apply for residence or special stay permits for two years after the ban ends.

How to apply, step by step

  1. Check that your passport is valid at least 90 days beyond the planned stay.
  2. Book an onward or return ticket and keep your accommodation details.
  3. Carry enough money for the length of the stay (MOP 5,000 minimum).
  4. Present your passport at a Macao checkpoint and receive the slip of Authorization to Stay.
  5. Keep the slip; you need it for any extension.
  6. Leave before your Authorization to Stay ends, or apply for an extension at least five days before expiry.

Forms

Frequently asked questions

How long can I stay in Macao without a visa?

Usually up to 30 days per entry if your nationality is on the exemption list; the PSP table sets longer or shorter limits for some passports.

Can I extend my stay in Macao?

Yes, for a documented reason, by applying free of charge to the PSP Stay Subdivision at least five days before expiry; the total cannot exceed 90 accumulated days.

Do I need a return ticket from Hong Kong?

Yes. The ticket exemption applies only to people who can prove residence in the Chinese Mainland or Hong Kong SAR.

Why must my passport be valid 90 days beyond the trip?

Macao law requires 90 days of validity beyond the intended stay, and the limit of stay is cut so that it ends at least 90 days before the passport expires.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Macau

Business and self-employment

  • Investor visa Validity: Normally 3 years, renewable; 18 months renewable once for major investment plans under assessment

Study and training

  • Student visa Validity: Until the end date of the programme, within the limits of passport validity

Work

Family

Residence

Protection

Macau visa guide