U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau
26 Garden Road
Central, Hong Kong
Telephone: +852 2841-2211, +852 2841-2225, +852 2841-2323 
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +852 2523-9011 
Fax: +852 2845-4845
Email: acshk@state.gov 

See the U.S. Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Macau for information on U.S.-Macau relations.

Visit the Macau Immigration Services of the Public Security Police Force, the Government of Macau SAR website on immigration, or the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States of America website for the most current visa information.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our websites.

To enter the Macau Special Administrative Region (Macau), you need:

• a passport that is valid for at least ninety days beyond the date of your intended stay;
• adequate funds to cover your stay without working locally
• evidence of onward/return transportation.

You only need a visa if:

• You plan to stay for more than 30 days – obtain an extension with the Macau Immigration Department, if necessary.
• You plan to work or study in the Macau, visas must be obtained prior to departing the United States.

Other considerations:

• Departing and then immediately re-entering Macau to start a new stay may result in Macau immigration granting the traveler an authorized stay shorter than the typical 30-day duration;
• You may be granted a stay of up to one year if you enter on your Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card or Hong Kong Re-entry Permit.

You must possess a valid passport and PRC visa to enter the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from Macau. Further information on travel to and around the PRC is available on our China International Travel Information and Hong Kong International Travel Information pages.

Please note that the official languages of Macau are Chinese and Portuguese. Some websites have no English translation.

Macau has a low crime rate. Even so, you should exercise caution when in congested areas, pay particular attention to personal belongings while in crowded areas, and while traveling on public transportation. Petty street crime, including pickpocketing, occurs in tourist areas, including in and around casinos and at the airport. Violent crime, though rare, does occur. Protect your personal belongings and travel documents at all times.

• Take routine safety precautions.
• Pay attention to your surroundings.
• Report any concerns to the local police.
• Call “999,” the local equivalent to the U.S.’s “911” emergency line.
• Please note that mace, pepper spray, stun guns, and other self-protection weapons are banned in Macau.
• Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. They are not only illegal in the United States, but purchasing them may also violate local law.  

Be alert to criminal schemes, such as internet, phone scams, dating scams, as well as financial scams. See the U.S. Department of State's and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)'s pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime: Report crimes to the local police at “999” and contact U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau at +825 2523-9011. U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault can contact the Macau police and should contact the U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau for assistance.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can:

• Help you find appropriate medical care.
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police.
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent.
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion.
• Provide a list of local attorneys.
• Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States in cases of destitution.
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home.
• Replace a stolen or lost passport.

Macau offers some support to victims of crime.  You will find more resources for victims of crime in Macau in our Help for U.S. Victims of Crime in Macau information sheet.  In addition, the Macau Government Tourism Office maintains a 24-hour tourism hotline (service in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Portuguese) at: +853 2833-3000 for visitors to Macau who encounter emergency situations.

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact  U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau and/or the Macau police for assistance. 

Tourism: The tourism industry is generally regulated and best practices and safety inspections are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout Macau. Outside of the city center, it may take longer for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Consular Access: The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Macau due to PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel restrictions on U.S. diplomatic personnel.

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to Macau laws, including certain PRC laws applied to Macau.  If you violate Macau laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.  Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires a permit or license should seek information from the competent local authorities before practicing or operating a business.

Some crimes committed overseas can be prosecuted in the United States, regardless of local law.  For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the U.S. Department of Justice website. 

Drug and Alcohol Enforcement: PRC law enforcement authorities have no tolerance for illegal drugs, including marijuana and products containing cannabidiol, also known as CBD.  Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in the PRC and Macau, are severe.  Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences, heavy fines, or the death penalty.

Identification: Police have the right to take you in for questioning if you are not carrying a valid travel document (for example, your U.S. passport).

Photography: You may be detained if you take pictures of certain buildings.  Pay attention to “no photography” signs, particularly in casinos. 

Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs could result in immediate detention. 

Arrest Notification:

• If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau immediately.  See our webpage for further information. 
• The PRC and Macau do not recognize dual nationality.  The PRC and Macau may prevent the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulates General from providing consular services to dual U.S.-PRC citizens and U.S. citizens with familial or historical ties to the PRC or Macau.  Please see the page on dual nationality for more information on the limits on consular notification and access to dual nationals.
• A consular officer may be the only authorized visitor during your initial detention period.  However, due to Macau’s visa requirements, it may take five to seven days for U.S. diplomatic personnel to travel to Macau.  This is true even in an emergency.
• U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau is unable to represent you in legal matters.

Travelers to Macau should enroll in the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Currency: There are no currency restrictions for tourists in Macau.  The pataca is the official currency in Macau.  The Hong Kong Dollar and the Chinese renminbi are commonly used and widely accepted in transactions at a one-to-one ratio.  Credit cards and ATM network debit cards are widely accepted in Macau.  Banks and major hotels accept traveler's checks.

Customs Regulations: Macau customs authorities strictly enforce import and export regulations regarding items such as firearms, ivory, certain categories of medications, and other goods.  If you bring controlled items into Macau without the necessary Macau documents, even if only transiting, you may be prosecuted, and the goods may be seized.  The penalty for trafficking in dangerous drugs can be life imprisonment and a heavy fine.  Please see the Macau Customs Service website for further information.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of controlled and/or prohibited items:

• Animals and plants
• Counterfeit goods or illegally produced copies of copyrighted items
• Electronic cigarettes
• Ivory
• Meat and poultry
• Narcotics
• Pharmaceuticals
• Sensitive high technology or military products 
• Television decoders requiring a subscription
• Weapons, not limited to firearms and ammunition

For more information on bringing controlled items into Macau please contact the Macau Customs Service at +853 2855-9944 or info@customs.gov.mo.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection encourages the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) carnet for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes.

For additional information, please visit the U.S. Council for International Business website and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection web page on Traveling with Samples.

Please see our Customs Information sheet for general information.

Dual Nationality: Dual nationality is not recognized under PRC nationality law.  Be mindful of the following special circumstances for dual nationals when traveling in the region.

Enter Macau on your U.S. passport to ensure U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau can provide consular assistance in case of arrest or other emergency.  Regardless of your travel documents, if you are a dual national, or otherwise have familial or historical ties to the PRC, it is possible that Macau authorities will assert that you are a PRC citizen and deny your access to U.S. consular representatives if you are detained.

Your child will be considered a PRC citizen if one or both parents are PRC nationals, regardless of their U.S. citizenship.

If traveling onward to Mainland China, enter Mainland China on your U.S. passport to ensure U.S. consular protection.  See our Mainland China International Travel Information page for more information.

For further information on consular protection and dual nationality, please refer to our website.

Faith-Based Travelers: See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Reports
• Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
• Fact Sheet for Pilgrimage Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers: In Macau, there are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTQI+ events in Macau. See  Section 6 of our Human Rights Practices in the Human Rights Report for Macau and read our LGBTQI+ Travel Information page.

Pets: You must have a permit to bring dogs and cats into Macau.  Additional information on importing pets is available directly from the Macau Customs Service at +853 2855-9944 or info@customs.gov.mo.

Typhoons: During the typhoon season (July through September), the Macau Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau issues typhoon warnings when warranted.  The Bureau has a good notification and monitoring system.  General information about natural disaster preparedness is available from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Macau law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, and mental disabilities.  This applies in employment, education, access to health care, or the provision of other state services.  The government generally enforces these provisions.  The law mandates access to public buildings, usually in the form of a ramp, for persons with physical disabilities.  Crosswalks are also required in Macau, and they generally include audible signals for hearing-impaired and raised treading for visually impaired pedestrians.  Handicap-accessible parking is mandated in publicly owned parking lots.  The Macau Social Welfare Bureau is primarily responsible for coordinating and funding public assistance programs to persons with disabilities.

For Macau residents who are mobility impaired, the Macau Social Welfare Bureau offers free transportation to medical appointments by accessible van through Caritas Macau or the Macau Red Cross Medical Transfer Service.  

Please review the Macau Barrier-Free Access Guide for more information about accessible tourism in Macau.

Students:  See our U.S. Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers.

For emergency services in Macau, dial 999.

Ambulance services are widely available.

Quality of Care: Several major hospitals in Macau have adequate medical facilities, and the Kiang Wu and Conde de Sao Januario hospitals can provide emergency medical care. Highly developed medical facilities and trained personnel are available in Hong Kong, which is about an hour by jetfoil ferry, 1-2 hours by car, and twenty minutes by helicopter from Macau.

The U.S. government does not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. See Insurance Providers for Overseas Coverage page for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Payment and Insurance: Travelers will be asked to pay a deposit prior to admission to hospitals to cover the expected cost of treatment. Hospitals and clinics generally accept credit cards.

U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau maintains a list of local English-speaking doctors and hospitals. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Medication: Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Prescription drugs are widely available, although names may vary. You need a prescription from a doctor in Macau to purchase medications locally. Bring prescription medications to cover your stay in Macau or plan to see a physician in Macau to obtain a new prescription. If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of Macau to ensure the medication is legal Macau.

Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Air pollution is an increasing concern in Macau. Congested vehicle traffic and mainland factories emit ozone, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides, leading to a visible haze in the atmosphere on most days of the year. Average roadside pollution levels exceed World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and may cause health risks for those with allergies, asthma, or cardiac problems.

People at the greatest risk from particle pollution exposure include: 

• Infants, children, and teens;
• People over 65 years of age;
• People with lung disease such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema;
• People with heart disease or diabetes; and 
• People who work or are active outdoors.

Disease: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Chikungunya (via mosquitoes), Avian Influenza, and Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease and others. For detailed information, visit the CDC Macau travel health page.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the CDC.

For further health information:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Road Conditions and Safety: Road conditions differ significantly from those in the United States. Traffic moves on the left and you can expect heavy congestion.

Traffic Laws: Many traffic violations are like those in the United States, including penalties for reckless driving, driving under the influence, and using a hand-held device while operating a vehicle. Macau law requires that all registered vehicles carry valid third-party liability insurance. 

Public Transportation: Taxis are inexpensive and available through a queuing system at the airport, ferry terminal, and gaming venues. Large hotel/casino complexes operate shuttles to ferries and border crossing points. Public buses are also inexpensive and frequent, but you may have difficulty finding them outside major tourist areas.

For specific information concerning Macau driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, contact the Public Security Police Force (Telephone: +853 2837-4214; Email: info@fsm.gov.mo) or the Macau Transport Bureau (Telephone +853 8866-6363; Email: info@dsat.gov.mo).

See our Road Safety page and the official tourism office website of Macau for more information on road safety.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The Macau Civil Aviation Authority is independent from the Civil Aviation Administration of China. As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Macau, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Macau’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s Safety Assessment Page.

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Macau should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website, and the NGA broadcast warnings website.

The Commandant of the Coast Guard is unable to determine if effective anti-terrorism measures are in place in Macau ports as required by 46 U.S. Code § 70108.