Macau is a special administrative region of China. It is located along the western portion of Pearl River Delta. The area borders Guangdong province in the north and South China Sea in the south and east. To date, Macau is considered as the tourism and gambling capital of the country. It helped that it used to be a Portuguese colony, providing diversity. Mainland China has its own culture, while Hong Kong, another special administrative region of China used to be a British colony.

Macau has its own legal system, customs policy, police force, monetary system, and immigration policy. However, the Chinese national government is still responsible for the overall territorial defense of the area. Macau has an economy that is heavily reliant on tourism. Most tourists come not just for recreation and sight-seeing but more particularly for gambling.

There is one common question popping out from tourists who consider going to Macau soon. Is a China visa required for traveling to Macau? If there is such a thing as a Macau visa, how is it different from the China visa?

China visa

China visa is a requirement for all travelers who intend to come to the mainland for whatever purpose. It could be of different types. The most common are tourist, business, student, worker, and journalist visas. A China visa is issued by the Chinese government\’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Chinese embassies and consulates from all over the world are authorized to accept China visa applications. They are also authorized to release such visas within about one day to four days.

China visa could cover entry to any Chinese territory. However, in Hong Kong, China visa is not usually required. In Macau, it may also not be honored because there is a particular type of China visa for Macau visitors. It is called a Macau visa. The Macau visa could be considered as a special type of China visa. But there are several differences between the two.

Macau visa

Macau visa is an endorsement or stamp put by Macau officials on a visitor\’s passport. It gives the bearer the permission to visit and stay in Macau for a specified period. Just like any China visa, the Macau visa could be obtained from a Chinese embassy or consulate in any country. Still, just like in China visa, an applicant for a Macau visa is required to hold his own passport, which should at least be valid for the next six months.

Non-visa could be required for applicants who hold citizenship in up to 66 countries. Those nations include the US, Canada, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, and the Netherlands. Citizens of other nations should apply for a Macau visa through any Chinese embassy or consulate in their countries or neighboring countries.

Just like in China visa, there are also exemptions for the requirement to hold a Macau visa. Those in the exemption list are Chinese nationals, holders of Hong Kong Identity Card, owners of diplomatic or consulate passports, holders of the United Nations \’laissez passer\’, and owners of travel documents from the Portuguese government.

Another difference

Another main difference between a China visa and a Macau visa is the permission for applicants to apply for or process a visa upon arrival at the Macau Airport. A typical China visa should be secured before traveling to China, whereas the Macau visa could be obtained upon entry. The Macau Tourism Office has its own jurisdictions over issuing visas to travelers.

Author Bio: Seomul Evans is a senior Website Marketing Services expert specializing in organic Search Engine Optimization and copywriter for Oasis a processor of China Travel Visa .

Category: Travel
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