This travel advice covers the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). For mainland China, see travel advice for China.
\nMacao does not recognise dual nationality. If you have both British and Chinese nationality, the local authorities may treat you as a Chinese citizen, even if you enter Macao on a full “British citizen” passport. If this is the case, the British Consulate-General may not be able to offer you consular help.
\n\nIf you have formally renounced Chinese citizenship, carry evidence that you have done so.
\n\nSee guidance on nationality in China.
\n\nNo travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Macao’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Macao set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Chinese Embassy in the UK.
\n\nYour passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 90 days after the date you leave Macao.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nOther types of British nationals who are exempt from ETA must also carry a valid British passport when entering the UK.
\n\nMacao is part of the People’s Republic of China, but it remains a Special Administrative Region (SAR) with its own immigration controls.
\n\nYou can visit Macao for up to 6 months without a visa, for tourism and to undertake unpaid business activities.
\n\nTo stay longer, to do paid work, to study, or for other reasons, you must get a visa before arrival. Check which type of visa you need with the Macao Immigration Department.
\n\nIf you plan to travel through Macao to mainland China on a British passport, you must get a Chinese visa before you arrive at the border. If not, you could be fined or detained by the mainland Chinese authorities.
\n\nIf you enter and leave Macao through mainland China, you must get a double or multiple entry visa to re-enter mainland China.
\n\nThe mainland Chinese authorities may carry out thorough checks at border crossings, including of your electronic devices.
\n\nTo enter Macao, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
\n\nFor full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Macao guide.
\n\nYou must stay in licensed accommodation. You could be fined up to 3,000 Macanese pataca (about £300) if you stay in illegal accommodation. Find accommodation or check your accommodation is licensed on the Macao Tourism Office website.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Macao. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\nMacao airport has a passenger guide that explains the allowances.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in Macao, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nCrime levels are low but pickpocketing and other street crime does happen. You should take particular care of:
\n\nYou could face criminal charges if you take part in activities that the authorities believe threaten national security. This includes activities in and outside the Macao SAR, including in the UK. The Safeguarding National Security Law (NSL) outlines the types of activities that are illegal, such as preparing for or carrying out treason, secession or subversion against the central government.
\n\nThe police have the right to access an individual’s social media and private communications to gather evidence of NSL crimes.
\n\nDo not become involved with drugs. Possession of drugs can lead to imprisonment.
\n\nDo not take photos of military installations.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Macao, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou can drive in Macao with a Hong Kong, Chinese or Portuguese driving licence.
\n\nIf you are using a UK driving licence, you need a 1949 international driving permit (IDP) as well. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.
\n\nYou will also need to register to drive in Macao for more than 14 days.
\n\nSome car hire companies have additional requirements, such as at least a year of driving experience and a minimum age of 21.
\n\nUber is illegal in Macao. The Macao police will take action against drivers and passengers of unlicensed taxi services, including Uber.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nTyphoon season normally runs from May to November. Typhoons very occasionally hit Macao and could cause flooding and landslides. Public offices will shut down when the ‘Typhoon 8’ signal is issued. Be aware of local warning signals issued in advance and follow advice issued by the local authorities.
\n\nMonitor weather updates from the World Meteorological Organization and the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nDial 999 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in Macao, including malaria and dengue fever.
\n\nPrescriptions issued by UK doctors are not valid in Macao. You will need to see a local doctor to get a prescription.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Macao where some staff will speak English.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nTelephone: 999 (ambulance, fire, police)
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nContact the Macao Tourism Crisis Management Office on (853) 2833 3000 (24-hour hotline) for immediate and general tourism advice in English.
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThe Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Macao on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
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