Macao SAR China visa options for Italy passport holders
Tourist / short stay
Visa-free · up to 90 days
Enter without a visa, usually for a set number of days.
Visa types & longer-stay routes for Macao SAR China
Rules are written for foreign (non-Chinese, non-resident) nationals entering or staying in Macao SAR; mainland Chinese, Hong Kong and Taiwan residents follow separate travel-permit regimes not covered here.
- Most nomadsTourist
Visa-Free Short-Stay (Tourist/Business)
Varies by nationality: commonly 30 or 90 days; UK approx 180 days; some approx 14 days (verify your nationality on the official list).
- Insurance
- Recommended. No official health-insurance mandate found for entry; travel/medical cover strongly advised as Macao has no reciprocal public healthcare for visitors.
- Good for
- Passport holders of roughly 80+ exempt countries/territories (incl. EU/Schengen, USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, UK) visiting for tourism or business.
- Requirement
- Valid passport (commonly valid approx 90 days beyond intended stay) plus proof of onward/return travel; no advance visa needed for exempt nationalities.
- Tourist
Visa on Arrival (Entry Permit)
Up to approx 30 days.
- Insurance
- Recommended. No official insurance requirement found; private travel/medical cover advised.
- Good for
- Travellers from non-exempt countries (except the six barred nationalities) arriving at a Macao checkpoint for short tourism/business visits.
- Requirement
- Valid passport/travel document and supporting documents (e.g. onward ticket); fee approx MOP 100-400 depending on single/multiple entry (verify current fee). NOT available to nationals of Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam — they must obtain a visa in advance via a Chinese embassy/consulate.
- Most nomadsWork
Non-Resident Worker's ID Card (Blue Card)
Tied to the employment/work authorization period approved by the authorities; fixed-term and renewable, cannot convert to an indefinite contract (verify per case).
- Insurance
- Recommended. No health-insurance requirement stated in the official application service; employer-related coverage may apply — verify with employer/DSAL.
- Good for
- Foreign nationals taking up employment in Macao (skilled, non-skilled, or domestic helpers); the route is employer-driven and job/employer-tied.
- Requirement
- Employer must first obtain employment authorization from the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL); worker then applies for the Non-resident Worker's ID Card issued by the Public Security Police Force (CPSP). Permit is tied to the specific employer/role.
- Most nomadsStudy
Special Authorization to Stay for Non-Resident Students
Granted for the study period and renewed alongside enrolment; international students must apply before their authorized stay expires (mainland students within the limit of their first entry, up to approx 90 days).
- Insurance
- Recommended. No official insurance mandate found in the immigration service; individual institutions may require student health cover — verify with your school.
- Good for
- Non-local students enrolled at Macao tertiary/higher-education institutions.
- Requirement
- Admission/registration at a Macao institution, then application via the Integrated Online System for Special Authorization to Stay for Non-resident Students and at the Macao Immigration Office.
- Residence
Temporary Residency by Major Investment (IPIM)
Renewable temporary residence permit (term set per approval); can include family/dependants. Verify current duration and thresholds with IPIM.
- Insurance
- Recommended. No official insurance requirement found; private/long-term medical cover advised for residents and dependants — verify with IPIM.
- Good for
- Non-local investors holding, or proposing under assessment, a major investment beneficial to Macao (e.g. that contributes to local jobs); administered by IPIM under the investor residency regime.
- Requirement
- Approval by IPIM of a qualifying major investment / investment plan. Note: the former real-estate-investment route has not been accepted since 2007, and the management/technical 'special qualifications' route was abolished under Law No. 7/2023.
- Transit
Transit Visa-Free Stay
Up to approx 7 days for eligible transit travellers (verify eligibility for your document type).
- Insurance
- Recommended. No official requirement found; short-term travel cover advised.
- Good for
- Eligible travellers transiting Macao en route to a third country (e.g. holders of a PRC passport, or Hong Kong SAR passport) with onward arrangements.
- Requirement
- Confirmed onward flight ticket to a third country and a valid entry visa for that onward destination where required.
General guidance only; durations, fees and rules vary by nationality and change frequently — verify with the Macao SAR Government Portal (gov.mo) and IPIM before travel. Last checked: 2026-06.
Last verified June 2026
Visa-free isn’t insurance-free
Whatever route you take into Macao SAR China, your entry stamp never includes health cover. Many longer-stay visas also require proof of insurance before they’re granted. That part is on you — and it’s what we actually do.
Italy → Macao SAR China: frequently asked
- Do Italy passport holders need a visa to visit Macao SAR China?
- Visa-free · up to 90 days. Enter without a visa, usually for a set number of days. Always confirm with the official source before booking.
- Can a Italy passport holder live or work long-term in Macao SAR China?
- Yes, via a long-stay visa. Macao SAR China has 6 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.
- Do I need travel insurance for Macao SAR China?
- Entry to Macao SAR China never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended.
Last updated
Visa rules can change at short notice and depend on your purpose of travel, length of stay and onward tickets. Always confirm with the destination’s embassy or the IATA Travel Centre before you book. Visa-free entry never includes travel health insurance. That’s still on you.