Notice on Latest Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China – Updated on October 26, 2024:
1. 15-day visa-free for Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Slovenia, starting from October 15, 2024.
2. Kunming, Lijiang, Dali, Xishuangbanna and 5 regions in Yunnan Province are applicable to 144-hour visa-free transit policy. Mohan Railway Port at China-Laos border can be used to enter/leave Yunnan.
3. Breaking News! a. China will be 15-day visa-free for Australia, New Zealand and Poland from July 1st, 2024 to December 31st, 2025. b. 15 days visa free for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg has been extended until December 31, 2025. Read more »
4. Hong Kong High-speed Rail West Kowloon Station has been added to Guangdong Province 144-hour transit visa-free.
5. China – Georgia Mutual Exemption of Visa, starting from May 28, 2024.
6. Booking of flights and hotels, China itineraries and invitation letters are not required for application of Chinese Tourist Visa for U.S.nationals.
7. Appointment is not required for visa application in many embassies and consulates.
8. Starting from 00:00 on November 1, 2023, individuals entering or exiting the country are exempt from filling out the “People’s Republic of China Health Declaration Card for Entry/Exit.”
9. Norway has become the 54th country whose passport holders can transit without visa up to 72/144 hours in China.
10. Starting from August 30, 2023, individuals traveling to China will no longer be required to undergo pre-entry COVID-19 nucleic acid or antigen testing.
11. U.S. citizens holding multi-year multiple-entry visas issued before March 28, 2020, whose visas temporarily lost entry functionality between March 28, 2020, and March 14, 2023, due to the pandemic, are eligible to apply for compensation. Those who choose to apply for compensation will receive a free 3-year multiple-entry visa. Those who choose to waive the compensation can apply for a new 10-year multiple-entry visa at the regular fee.
China Discovery will keep focusing on the updates of the latest Chinese visa and entry policy! You can also call +86 010 12367 (Official telephone number of China National Immigration Administration) to check further information. Welcome to join in our Facebook Groups to catch up with the latest news!
Do I Need A Visa for Macau?
Because Macau (Macao), Hong Kong, two Special Administrative Regions（SARs), are regarded as third regions from China’s mainland, it means Macau sets up own visa policy for non-Macanese visitors, and Chinese Visa does NOT give entry permission to Macau or Hong Kong.
A Macau Visa is required normally for a travel to Macau. But, if you are citizens of specific foreign countries and territories, and visit Macau for short-term tour and business, you may have visa-free entry to Macau. US, UK, Australia, Canada citizens, Indians, Filipinos, Malaysians may get visa exempted for Macau, while passport holders of Pakistan, Vietnam and Nepal must obtain a visa for entry.
1，Who can Visit Macau without Visa – Macau Visa Free
According to the Entry Regulations released on the Macau Immigration Department, currently, Macau offers (multipe-entry) visa exemption for citizens from total 79 foreign countries (territories) for visit of travel and business affairs. The permitted duration of stay differs by nationality, and accute period ranges from a maxmium of 14 days, 30 days, 90 days (3 months), 180 days (6 months) and even up to 1 year.
Besides, holders of Hong Kong SAR passport and Chinese Passport with flight and visa to a third country are allowed to have 7-day visa-free stay in Macau if transitting through Macau. Check the country list of visa exemptions below to find who is qualified to enjoy visa-free travel to Macau and how may days are allowed to stay in Macau without a visa. (Read the Full list on Macau Immigration Dep in https://www.gov.mo/en/services/ps-1474/ps-1474b/.)
2，Macau Visa Free Countries List
| Permitted Stay Period | Number of Country | Countries | Continent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Days | 1 | Brunei | Asia |
| 30 Days | 22 | America, Australia, Canada, Chile, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Malaysia, Monaco, Namibia, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay | Oceania, America, Aisa, Europe |
| 90 Days | 56 | Andorra, Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Croatia, Czech, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominica, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Moldova, Macedonia, Mali, Malta, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania | Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania |
| 180 Days | 1 | The United Kingdoms | Europe |
| 1 Year | 1 | Holders of HK Permanent Identity Cards or HK Re-entry Permits | Asia |
Notes: In the above list, there are two special cases. 1.) Holders of Taiwan Compatriot Permit, also called Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents (台湾居民来往大陆通行证) are also qualified for 30-day visa-free stay in Macau. 2.) Visitors holding HK Permanent Identity Cards or HK Re-entry Permits enjoy 1 year – the longest privilege of visa exemption for Macau.
3，Who Needs Visa to Macau – Macau Visa Application Guide
Nationals from countries not listed above, and the mentioned visa-free visitors who plan to stay longer and for other purposes, are required to apply for a “Visa” or “Entry Permit” to Macau before arrival or upon arrival. However, ordinary passport holders of the 6 special countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam), must obtain a Macau Visa through a Chinese Embassy or Consulate before entry into Macau, and he/she is NOT allowed to apply visa on arrival at border ports.
01.Macau Visa Application Required Documents
For Individul Travel & Family Visit
1. Photocopy of your valid original passport’s bio data page and used inside visa pages (or international travel document);
2. A completed Macau Visa Application Form(download form here);
3. Proof of financial status (such as bank statement, savings depoist, tax receipt, certificate of employment and income);
4. Related transportation and accommodation arrangment in Macau (such as round-trip flight tickets and hotel booking record);
5. Proof of visit for Macau (such as copy of relative’s residence in Macau or Macau Identity Card, with the kinship certificate document );
6.Other documents used for previous travel to Macau, valid visa and entry/residence permit for other countries and regions if has.
For Work in Macau
Except the copy of the date page & used visa pages of your valid passport, completed Macau Visa Application Form, applicants should also prepare copy of employment certificate approved by the Macau authority, which is the application or renewal application letter of “Authorization to Stay for Non-resident Workers” which has been verified by the Macao Immigration Department. Download the work visa application form.
Make Copy of Passport Important Pages
（Part of）Macau Visa Application Form
Applicants need to submit all the necessary documents to the visa office of Chinese Embassy and Consulate during office hours. If they request additional materials, applicants shall submit as required.
02.Macau Visa Fees and Cost
Regular Macau Visa application fee is USD 30, and an additional communication fee of USD 20 will be charged if application will be related to Macau Immigration Department.
Since there will no commnication fee incuring, Express application costs about USD 50 and Extra Express visa application fee is USD 60 only.
03.Macau Visa Processing Time
Chinese Embassy or Consulate will start to process upon receipt of all application documents. You may pick up the visa on the same day, 2nd working day, or 4th ~ 5th working day, depending on which service you will choose.
For regular service, it takes about 5 working days, even 3 weeks (if related to Macau Immigration Department).
Application not related to Macau Immigration Department:
Express Service: it takes about 3 working days. Extra Express Service: you may collect on the same day or next working day.
Sample of Macau Visa (click to enlarge)
04.Validity of Macau Visa
Macau Visa has different expiry date and number of entries, including:
1. Single (1) entry within 3 months;
2. Double (2) entries within 3 months;
3. Multiple entries within 6 months.
Please note that the duration of stay is 14 days per entry. Stay beyond the legally authorized period will face penalty by law.
05.Macau Visa on Arrival
Apart from the two introducted special caes, other foreign visitors can either apply Macau Visa in overseas Chinese Embassy or Consulate in advance or get Macau Visa upon Arrival (Port Visa) at border checkpoints of Immigration Department, Public Security Police of Macau.
Sample of Macau Visa on Arrival
06.Macau Visa on Arrival Countries
*Any other country not inclued in the Macau Visa-Free Country List.
*79 Macau Visa-Free Countries, if nationals will stay longer than the permitted duration or visit Macau not for tour or business.
For example: Indians can apply Macau Visa on Arrival, when his planed visit is more than 30 days or for work.
07. Macau Visa on Arrival Requirements
Except presenting the valid original passport, applicants should also fill in Arrival Card at specialized “Visa Room” at border check points in Macau. Meanwhile, you’d better get ready related travel materials (like air tickets, hotel reservation) which supports your proposed entry and visit in Macau.
3，Macau on Arrival Visa Fee
Generally, there are four visa types for Macau Visa, and visa fees are charged differently.
| No | Type of Macau Visa | Visa Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Individual | MOP 100 (about USD 13) |
| 3 | Family Passport | MOP 200 (about USD 25) |
| 3 | Children under age of 12 | MOP 50 (about USD 7) |
| 4 | Tour Group (with at least 10 members, organized by a single travel agency, present a collective travel document) | MOP 50 per person (about USD 7) |
4，Macau Visa on Arrival Ports
Below are the main border checkpoints used in Macau:
| Border Checkpoints | Tel | Office Hours | Border Checkpoints | Tel | Office Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal | (853) 8798 5327 | 24 hours | Macau International Airport | (853) 8898 1317 | 24 hours |
| Cotai Checkpoint | (853) 8898 9617 | 24 hours | Taipa Ferry Terminal | (853) 8898 1501 | 24 hours |
| Interior Ferry Terminal | Malaysia | 24 hours | Zhuhai-Macau Cross-Border Industrial Zone | (853) 2827 1327 | 24 hours |