I. Residents of 71 countries and regions including the United Kingdom, U.S. and Portugal are exempt from a visa to enter Macao SAR for the purpose of tourism.
II. From July 1 of 2010, citizens holding ordinary passports and some citizens holding public service passports of Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam are no longer eligible to apply for a Macao visa upon arrival. They must apply for a Macao visa before entry. Visa applicants of these six countries may submit their applications to Chinese diplomatic or consular missions abroad or to the Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong SAR.
Diplomatic visa holders of these six countries are still entitled to the visa-free courtesy. Furthermore, members of diplomatic and consular missions of these six countries and representatives of international organisations in China and their family members can apply for a Macao visa upon arrival with their passports or their ID cards of diplomatic, or consular officers, or administrative and technical staff.
III. Citizens of other countries may apply for a visa to Macao at a Chinese Embassy or Chinese Consulate General in their home country, or obtain a visa upon arrival.
IV. Guidelines for applications
1. Documents required
1) The application form must be filled out truthfully and completely.
2) Please affix the photo to the application form. The photo must be a recent, coloured passport one in the size of 48mm x 33mm. The photo must show your face looking forward and your head must not have any coverings.
3) The visa officials may require other documents deemed necessary.
2. Application Processing Schedules
Visas to be issued by the Chinese Embassy or the Chinese Consulate General within their own capacity:
1) Regular service: the visa will be ready for collection on the fifth working day;
2) Express service: the visa will be ready for collection on the third working day;
3) Urgent service: the visa will be ready for collection on the second working day;
Visa processing would normally take 10 working days if they need to be referred to the Immigration Department of the Government of Macao SAR for processing. There is no express or urgent service for this type of application.
3. Visa application service fees and payments
1) Regular service: 60 Tala per person
2) Express service: an additional fee of 60 Tala per person will be charged. (This service is subject to approval.)
3) Urgent service: an additional fee of 90 tala per person will be charged.
4) An extra fee (TBI) will be needed for telecommunications if a visa needs to be referred to the Immigration Department of the Government of Macao SAR.
4. Some Notes
1) Each item of the application form must be filled out truthfully, clearly and completely. Any untruthful contents, missing items or illegible handwriting may lead to delay of the application processing or even refusal of the visa.
2) Visa officials will consider visa applications on individual merits.
For details please visit the website of the Immigration Department of the Government of Macao SAR: http://www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/eng/main.html
V. Contacting the Public Security Police Force of the Immigration Department of the Government of Macao SAR
Address: Immigration Department Building Travessa Um do Cais de Pac On, Taipa, Macao
Tel: 00853-88970601, 00853-88970602
Fax: 00853-28726936
Email: smce@fsm.gov.mo
Web: http://www.fsm.gov.mo/psp/eng/main.html
Authoritative interpretation remains with the Embassy should there be any change to the information above.