Macau · Visa & entry
Macau visa rules
Macau has its own immigration system, separate from mainland China and Hong Kong. Many nationalities are visa-free for 30–90 days.
Visa-free stays — typical durations
- United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand: 30 days (UK was 6 months until 2007; reduced).
- United States, Canada: 30 days.
- EU members, Switzerland, Norway: 30–90 days depending on country.
- Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia: 30 days.
- Brazil: 90 days.
- Most other countries: 30 days or less.
The Macau Public Security Police Force (CPSP) maintains the full list.
What you need at the border
- Passport valid 30 days beyond intended stay.
- Onward ticket (sometimes asked).
- Address of stay (hotel name + booking confirmation).
The land borders (Gongbei from Zhuhai, Cotai checkpoint), the Macau ferry terminal, and the Macau airport all check the standard package.
Crossing to mainland China
Macau and mainland China are separate immigration jurisdictions. To cross to mainland China you need a valid Chinese visa or a visa-free entitlement that covers the mainland (these are different lists from the Macau visa-free list).
The major crossings: - **Gongbei border** (to Zhuhai) — busy land crossing, walk across, buses on either side. - **Hengqin border** (to Hengqin Island, the Free Trade Zone south of Cotai). - **Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge** (HZMB) — by direct cross-border bus to Hong Kong.
Crossing to Hong Kong
- Ferry: 60 minutes from Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal or Taipa Ferry Terminal to Hong Kong Sheung Wan or Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal.
- Helicopter: 15 minutes via Sky Shuttle.
- HZMB shuttle bus: 35-minute road journey.
You exit Macau immigration on the way out and enter Hong Kong (or vice versa). Both jurisdictions stamp passports.
Working in Macau
Visa-free entry does NOT permit work. Work permits are issued through an employer; the system is similar to Hong Kong's, with the casino-and-tourism industry the largest sponsor of foreign workers.
Studying in Macau
Student visa required for study programmes longer than 30 days. The University of Macau, Macao Polytechnic University, and several others host international students.
Refused entry
Rare for ordinary tourist arrivals from visa-free countries. Possible reasons: insufficient funds visible, no onward ticket, prior overstay record. The CPSP retains the right to refuse entry at the border.
Overstaying
Overstay penalties include fines and possible detention. The fine starts at MOP$200 per day of overstay; bans of 1–3 years are possible for longer overstays.
Children
Children require their own passport and visa-free entitlement (the same as adults). For unaccompanied minors or families with one parent travelling, written consent from the absent parent is recommended at borders.