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Migration, residency

“Authorization to Stay” for Non-resident Engaging in Activities for Own Benefits in Macao

Frequently asked questions

  1. I heard that some people do not have to fill in an Arrival Card upon entry to Macao. I wonder which type of passengers can benefit from such facilitating policy.
  2. What is the fine per day for overstaying in Macao? Will it incur imprisonment?

1. I heard that some people do not have to fill in an Arrival Card upon entry to Macao. I wonder which type of passengers can benefit from such facilitating policy.

On 10 July 2013, the ‘Non-stamping Immigration Clearance Policy’ was implemented (non-residents are exempted from stamping on their travel document upon entry and exit). All passengers do not need to complete an “Arrival Card”. Instead, a printed “Arrival Card” bearing the limit of stay is issued to passengers, who should be mindful of the limit of stay and keep the “Arrival Card” properly. If the “Arrival Card” is lost, the passenger may approach any of our border checkpoints, the Immigration Building of the Public Security Police Force at Pac On,  Police Station, Taipa Police Station or Airport Police Division for reissue of the “Arrival Card”.


2. What is the fine per day for overstaying in Macao? Will it incur imprisonment?

According to Law No. 16/2021 “Legal Regime of Immigration Control, Stay and Residence Authorization of the Macao Special Administrative Region”, persons who still remain in Macao after their Authorization to Stay expires and persons who do not leave Macao within the designated period after their Authorization to Stay is revoked are regarded as overstayers. Overstay is an administrative infraction.

According to the law, an overstayer will be fined MOP500 to 800 per overdue day. The fine should not exceed MOP15000 and should be paid within the statutory 10 working days. The status of an overstayer who overstays for not more than 30 days, pays the fine upon giving himself or herself to the police or immediately after he or she is discovered and has never been fined for the same infraction in the past year can be normalized. Otherwise, the overstayer will be deported and interdicted from entry. In addition, application for Residence Authorization and Special Authorization to Stay will not be permitted for 2 years counting from the date the entry interdiction expires. (For details, please refer to the relevant law and regulation)


All information on this site is based on the official language of the Macao Special Administrative Region. The English version is the translation from the Chinese originals and is provided for reference only. If you find that some of the contents do not have an English version, please refer to the Traditional Chinese or Portuguese versions.