UAE expats from these 81 countries can travel to Macau visa-free. Check your eligibility.

Tips on where to go and what to see in Macau

Last updated:
Xuena Zhang, Reporter
5 MIN READ
Ruins of St. Paul's in Macau. Citizens from 81 countries can visit Macau for a stay of up to 14, 30, 90 and 180 days.
Ruins of St. Paul's in Macau. Citizens from 81 countries can visit Macau for a stay of up to 14, 30, 90 and 180 days.
Shutterstock

Dubai: Looking for a summer vacation outside the UAE, but don’t want to go through the hassle of applying for a visa? You may want to know that citizens from 81 countries can travel to Macau visa-free.

According to the Government portal of Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) of China, www.gov.mo, citizens from 81 countries can visit Macau for a stay of up to 14, 30, 90 and 180 days.

Documents you need

As per the government portal, these are the documents you need to have, in order to enter Macau visa free:

  • A valid passport or travel document, which is valid for at least 90 days beyond the period of your stay in MSAR.
  • A valid onward or return ticket.
  • Proof of possessing
  • - at least MOP5,000 (Dh 2,293) as means of subsistence in Macau if your intended stay is seven days
    - at least MOP10,000 (Dh4,587.76) if your intended stay is eight to 14 days
    - at least MOP15,000 (Dh6,881.63) if your intended stay is 15 to 21 days
    - at least MOP20,000 (Dh9,175.50) if your intended stay is 22 days or longer.

    14-day visit

    If you are a Brunei passport holder, you can visit Macau visa-free for up to 14 days.

    30-day visit

    Holders of passports issued by these 23 countries can visit Macau visa-free and stay there for up to 30 days:

    1. India
    2. Indonesia
    3. Philippines
    4. Australia
    5. Republic of Argentina
    6. Republic of Belarus
    7. Kiribati
    8. Republic of Ecuador
    9. Russia
    10. Canada
    11. Samoa
    12. San Marino
    13. Chile
    14. Seychelles
    15. Singapore
    16. Malaysia
    17. South Africa
    18. Monaco
    19. Thailand
    20. Turkey
    21. Namibia
    22. United Arab Emirates
    23. United States

    What to see in Macau

    Macau is a crossroad where the East and the West meets. It was a Portuguese port and then a colony for a total of four centuries and also a major port for trade between China, Japan, India and Europe. When you go there, you can expect to see Macau’s hybrid culture manifesting itself in everyday life. For example, you will be able to see Chinese temples with maritime-themed Portuguese tiles. You will also be able to try Chinese dim sum, or Portuguese egg tarts around the same street corner. The city is filled with museums, temples, churches, gardens, old fortresses and local alleys. Here are some of the many places you can visit: • Mandarin’s House Built before 1869, it’s a traditional Chinese residential compound, home of the prominent Chinese literary figure Zheng Guanying. Displaying a mix of Chinese and western detailing, it consists of several courtyard houses. • A-Ma Temple It existed before the city of Macau came into being. The variety of pavilions dedicated to the worship of different deities in a single complex make A-Ma Temple an exemplary representation of Chinese culture inspired by Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and multiple folk beliefs. • Treasure of Sacred Art Located Northeast of Largo do Senado, the 17th-century Church of St Dominic’s contains the Treasure of Sacred Art. You should start in the church, where you can experience the atmosphere of ancient Catholic missions in China, then go upstairs to the museum to admire the rich collection of statues, canonicals, gold objects, liturgical vessels and religious paintings. • Mount Fortress Built in the beginning of the 17th century, this was the city's principal military defense structure. The fortress was equipped with cannons, military barracks, wells and an arsenal that held sufficient ammunition and supplies to endure a siege lasting up to two years. The fortress covers an area of 10,000 square metres, in the shape of a trapezoid. The four corners of the fortress protrude to form bulwarks. • Rua do Cunha It is a narrow but bustling pedestrian street in the heart of Taipa village. Walking on the street, you will see the original community of the Island and find countless famed old restaurants that offer plenty of traditional cuisines. • Sir Robert Ho Tung Library This building was constructed before 1894 and was the residence of Dona Carolina Cunha, the wife of governor Pedro Alexandrino da Cunha. In 1918, Hong Kong tycoon Sir Robert Ho Tung purchased it as his retreat. In 2006, architect Joy Choi Tin Tin gave the western style lonic columns and Chinese gardens a modern extension. Source: Macau Government Tourism Office.

    90-day visit

    Holders of passports issued by these 56 countries can visit Macau visa-free and stay there for up to 90 days:

    1. Austria
    2. Belgium
    3. Bulgaria
    4. Czech
    5. Denmark
    6. Estonia
    7. Finland
    8. France
    9. Germany
    10. Greece
    11. Hungary
    12. Iceland
    13. Ireland
    14. Italy
    15. Latvia
    16. Liechtenstein
    17. Lithuania
    18. Luxembourg
    19. Malta
    20. Netherlands
    21. Norway
    22. Poland
    23. Portugal
    24. Romania
    25. Slovakia
    26. Slovenia
    27. Spain
    28. Sweden
    29. Switzerland
    30. Albania
    31. Andorra
    32. Bosnia and Herzegovina
    33. Brazil
    34. Cape Verde
    35. Croatia
    36. Dominica
    37. Egypt
    38. Grenada
    39. Japan
    40. Kingdom of Morocco
    41. Korea
    42. Macedonia
    43. Mali
    44. Mauritius
    45. Mexico
    46. Moldova
    47. Mongolia
    48. Montenegro
    49. Republic of Armenia
    50. Serbia
    51. Tanzania
    52. Uruguay
    53. Cyprus
    54. Israel
    55. Lebanon
    56. New Zealand

    180-day visit

    British citizens holding a British passport issued from the United Kingdom can visit Macau without a visa and stay for up to 180 days.

    What to eat in Macau

    You can try an array of world cuisines in Macau, such as Chinese, Macanese and Portuguese. Dishes you can try include Portuguese-style Clams, Eight Treasure Duck, Baked Drunken Crab Meat, Macau Shrimp, African Chicken, Mango Pudding with White Gourd and Fig, Clothed Cake, Portuguese-style Orange Rolls, Collichthys Lusidus Thick Soup, Portuguese egg tarts, minchi – meat mince stir-fried with soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, cumin and onions and served either with fried potatoes or over rice, serradura – a rich layered vanilla custard, and almond cookies. Source: Macau Government Tourism Office

    Contact

    It is always advisable for you to contact the MSAR’s Immigration Department if you have further questions. Here is their contact:
    - 24-hour hotline: (+853) 2872 5488
    - Email: psp-info@fsm.gov.mo

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