Nationals from Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam require a visa to travel to Macau as tourists. Nationals from these countries must apply for a Macau tourist visa at an embassy of China or other Chinese diplomatic missions.
Quick summary:
- Who requires it: Nationals of Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam
- Validity: 3 months (single or double entry) or 6 months (multiple-entry)
- Allowed stay: Up to 14 days per entry
- Fee: 30 USD
- Processing time: 5 working days
- Extensions: Extendable up to 90 days of stay
If you haven’t already, read the Macau Visa Guide for general information on various visa options for tourists, their eligibility and requirements.
Table of Contents
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Understanding Macau Tourist Visa
Tourist visa validity
Macau tourist visa is valid for either 3 months or 6 months. Single and double-entry visas are valid for 3 months whereas multiple-entry visas are valid for 6 months.
When applying, you can choose the entry type you want and the validity is determined automatically.
To summarize, below are the available entry types and their validities.
| Tourist Visa Entry Type | Tourist Visa Validity |
|---|---|
| Single-entry | 3 months |
| Double-entry | 3 months |
| Multiple-entry | 6 months |
The visa fee and the allowed stay per entry for all three types are the same.
Duration of stay
The allowed duration of stay in Macau is 14 days regardless of the visa type (single, double or multiple-entry).
If you need to stay longer than 14 days in Macau, you can extend your stay…
Allowed entries
Macau tourist visas allow for single, double, or multiple entry. You can choose the entry type while filling out your application form.
To summarize, below are the entry types and the allowed number of entries.
| Visa Entry Type | Allowed Number of Entries |
|---|---|
| Single-entry tourist visa | You can enter Macau only 1 time with this visa |
| Double-entry tourist visa | You can enter Macau up to 2 times with this type of visa |
| Multiple-entry tourist visa | You can enter Macau unlimited times with this type of visa |
Allowed ports
With a tourist visa, you can enter Macau from any airport or seaport. There are no restrictions on the allowed ports of entry.
When to apply
Under normal conditions, Chinese embassies process Macau visas in 5 business days.
In rare instances, certain applications require further assessment from the Macau Residence and Stay Affairs Department. In such cases, the processing can take up to 3 weeks.
Considering such scenarios, I suggest applying at least 3 weeks before your trip.
You can pay an Express fee of 20 USD to have your application processed within 3 days or an Extra Express fee of 30 USD to have it done in 24 hours.
The express and extra express processing is only applicable to applications processed under normal conditions and not referred to the Macau Residence and Stay Affairs Department.
To summarize, below are the earliest and latest to apply for a Macau tourist visa.
- Earliest to apply: 3 months in advance
- Latest to apply: 1 day in advance
Keep in mind that the above processing times start after your application is deemed complete.
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Macau Tourist Visa Requirements
Who requires a tourist visa
Although anyone who’s not visa-exempt can apply for a Macau Tourist Visa, the following countries must apply because they are not eligible for a visa on arrival:
- Bangladesh
- Nepal
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- Vietnam
Documents required
The following list includes the documents needed to apply as an individual tourist. If you travel as part of an organized group tour, contact your agency to assist you with the application.
- Original passport
- Copy of passport biodata page and any used pages inside
- Completed Tourist Visa Application Form
- One passport-sized color photo
- Proof of financial status
- Proof of transportation to and out of Macau
- Proof of accommodation booking
- Proof of purpose of visit or planned itinerary
- [Optional] Copy of previous Macao entry and exit stamps
- [Optional] Copy of valid visas or residence permits of other countries
Vietnamese nationals applying at the Chinese embassy in Vietnam must submit these additional documents.
- Vietnamese identity card
- Household registry document
Passport requirement
When applying for the tourist visa, your passport must be valid for at least 90 days beyond the period of your intended stay in Macau.
Since the allowed is 14 days, you can simply add 90+14 days to the intended entry date to determine the passport validity.
Proof of financial status
The following documents are accepted as proof of financial status.
- Latest bank statement
- Savings account bank book (also called bank passbook in some countries)
- Tax returns
- Employment letter
Transportation tickets in and out of Macau
The following documents are accepted as proof of tickets in and out of Macau.
- Round-trip flight reservation
- Ferry tickets from and back to Hong Kong (if visiting from Hong Kong)
Do not purchase your flight tickets before your visa is approved. Only submit a round-trip flight reservation. Keep in mind that Hong Kong to Macau ferry tickets booked online cannot be canceled.
Proof of accommodation booking
You can submit a refundable hotel booking for your visa. You should book or pay for your hotel only after your visa is approved.
Proof of purpose of visit or planned itinerary
If someone in Macau is inviting you, then you would need to submit their Macau residency documents, ID card, etc.
If you are an independent tourist, you can submit a day-by-day itinerary, cover letter or proof of tours booked.
Copy of previous Macau entry and exit stamps [optional]
If you have been to Macau previously, you must submit your previous Macau entry and exit stamps. If these are in your old passport, you must scan and submit a copy of them with your visa application.
Copy of valid visas or residence permits of other countries [optional]
If you hold any visas, especially from countries like the US, UK, Canada, Schengen, etc. you can submit a copy of these. Even though this is optional, I highly recommend submitting a copy of such visas. This will help strengthen your visa application.
Photo requirements
You must affix one passport-size photo on the tourist visa application. The photo must meet the following requirements.
- Must have been taken recently
- Must be of size 1.5 inch x 1.5 inch (or 3.8×3.8cm)
- Must be in color on a white background
- Must show the full face
Visa fee
The tourist visa application fee is 30 USD. The fee may be payable in the local currency of the country where the Chinese embassy is located.
For expedited processing, you will have to pay the following.
- Express processing: Additional 20 USD for 3-day processing (total 50 USD)
- Extra express process: Additional 30 USD for same-day or next-day processing (total 60 USD)
Processing time
The processing time for the Macau tourist visa (if you don’t pay for express service) is 5 working days.
You can pay extra to have your application processed in 3 working days (express) or within 24 hours (extra express).
In certain cases, the applications must be sent to the Macao Residence and Stay Affairs Department. The processing can take up to 3 weeks. Express or extra-express processing does not apply to applications processed at the Macao Residence and Stay Affairs Department.
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Tourist Visa Application Procedure
How to apply for Macau tourist visa from the Chinese embassy
You can apply for a Macau tourist visa from the Chinese embassy or China visa center in your country. The procedure to apply is straightforward.
- Step 1: Fill out the application form and gather all the required documents
- Step 2: Visit the the Chinese embassy, China visa center or Chinese diplomatic mission in your country. Some visa centers require you to make an appointment.
- Step 3: Submit the documents and pay the visa fee
- Step 4: Collect your passport with the visa
You may have to give your biometrics during your visit depending on the embassy.
How to extend Macau tourist visa
Tourist visa extensions are allowed for up to a maximum stay of 90 days. You must have a justifiable reason to apply for a visa extension.
You must apply for an extension at least 5 days before your “Authorization to Stay” (i.e. the allowed duration inside Macau, in this case 14 days) expires.
You will need the following documents for visa extension.
- A completed Application Form for Extension of Authorization to Stay
- Copy of your passport
- Arrival Card for the entry into Macau
- A written justification of the need for an extension
You must apply in person at the Immigration Building of the Public Security Police Force in Macau. You need to schedule an appointment online.
Extensions are free of charge and are processed in 1 working day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need separate visas for Hong Kong and Macau?
Yes. You need separate visas for Hong Kong and Macau. Macau visas cannot be used for Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a separate immigration entity and you must obtain a visa specifically for Hong Kong.
Can I enter Mainland China with a Macau visa?
No. You cannot enter Mainland China with a Macau visa. You will need a proper visa for the People’s Republic of China.
