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TRAVEL REPORT
China - Macao

1. RECENT UPDATES

Section 1 has been updated (H1N1).

Macao is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China. There are separate Travel Reports for China and China-Hong Kong.

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 Flu Virus.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is monitoring an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease, caused by enterovirus 71, occurring in Hong Kong.

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this Special Administrative Region of China.

Macao

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Most Canadian visitors to Macao do not experience problems. There are no serious security or safety concerns.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

The crime rate in Macao is relatively low. Petty crime occurs at the airport and in tourist areas, especially in and around casinos. Exercise normal safety precautions and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure at all times.

Copies of passports/ID and a small supply of cash should be carried separate from other personal belongings. The emergency number for police, ambulance, and fire services is 999. Foreigners can dial 112 toll free to access the police’s special tourist hotline.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Chinese authorities.  However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Embassy of the People's Republic of China and its consulates, for up-to-date information.

Although Macau is now part of the People’s Republic of China, it remains a Special Administrative Region (SAR) with its own immigration controls.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Macao. The passport must be valid for at least one month beyond the date of your expected departure from Macao. Canadian citizens travelling to other countries should be aware that many neighbouring countries require travellers to have at least six months validity remaining on their passport. A visa to Macau is not required for stays less than 30 days. Permission must be granted for longer stays.

Canadians entering the Macao SAR via mainland China and leaving again via the mainland should have a visa for that re-entry. Canadians should consult the China Travel Report for more information regarding travel to mainland China.

Canadians of Chinese descent should not use a "Re-entry Travel Permit" while visiting the People's Republic of China since Chinese authorities may refuse to recognize their Canadian citizenship. For travel to China, Canadians should only use a Canadian passport and the required visa for China.

The Government of the People's Republic of China has modified requirements for the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens born in Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan. Visas will no longer be issued to Canadian passport holders whose place of birth is inscribed as Hong Kong HKG, Macao MAC, or (city name) TWN. Canadian passports issued to Canadians born in Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan are now issued only with the place of birth. There will no longer be a three-letter country code.

The airport departure tax is 80 patacas for adults and 50 patacas for children for flights from Macao to China, and 130 patacas for adults and 80 patacas for children for flights to other destinations.

There is a ferry embarkation tax of 20 patacas, which is normally included in the price of the ticket.

Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays less than 30 days)
Business Visa: Not required
Investment Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s license, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

There is no resident Canadian government office in Macao. Canadians in Macao can obtain consular assistance and further information from the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong at the following address:

China - Hong Kong, Consulate General of Canada
Address: 13th Floor, One Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Central Hong Kong SAR, China
Postal Address: P.O. Box 11142, Hong Kong SAR,
Tel.: 85 (2) 3719 4700
Fax: 85 (2) 2847 7561
E-Mail: hkong-cs@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.hongkong.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong and follow the instructions, or call the Department in Ottawa directly using the numbers above.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

The Ministry of Health in China has issued a nationwide alert confirming an ongoing outbreak of an intestinal virus called enterovirus 71, or EV71. This virus causes a variant of hand, foot, and mouth disease. Regions affected by the outbreak are the Chinese provinces of Henan, Hubei, Shaanxi, Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Guangdong. Reports have also been received from Hong Kong and Macao. According to the World Health Organization, thousands of cases and more than 20 deaths have been officially reported. All of the deaths were children less than 6 years old and most were under 2 years of age. It is expected that the viral infection may continue to increase until the peak months of June and July.

There are no specific precautions for this disease other than the general hygiene recommendations for living in China. The symptoms of EV71 are similar but more severe than the common hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Infection is spread from person to person by direct contact with mucus, saliva, fluid from blisters, or the stool of infected persons. A person is most contagious during the first week of the illness. HFMD is not transmitted to or from pets or other animals.

Good medical care is available in major hospitals. However, in the event of a serious illness or accident, travellers may wish to seek medical treatment in Hong Kong as a greater number of private and public hospitals are available. Payment up front is often expected.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

Canadians of Chinese origin should be aware of serious personal security issues before travelling to China. There have been a number of recent cases of Canadian-Chinese dual nationals experiencing difficulties, even though they entered the People’s Republic of China using a Canadian passport.

Dual nationality is not recognized in China. Travellers should ensure that they are well informed regarding Chinese law as it relates to determination and loss of Chinese citizenship. Recognition of Canadian citizenship is not automatic.

According to the Consular Agreement between Canada and the People’s Republic of China, Chinese authorities should consider Canadian-Chinese dual nationals entering on a Canadian passport as a Canadian citizen. However, consular assistance has been denied to Chinese-Canadians even though they had entered on a Canadian passport. Canadian-Chinese dual nationals using Chinese travel documents to enter China, have and will be denied Canadian consular services.

It is important to note that Chinese authorities have and will refuse Canadian consular officials access to Canadians of Chinese origin who are detained in the People’s Republic of China.

For more information, see our publication entitled Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know.

Canadians who were born in Macao must declare their Canadian nationality to the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Identification Department for their Canadian citizenship to be recognized by local authorities. If this declaration is not made, local authorities may consider them to be Chinese.

For further information, contact the Macao SAR Identification Department, Avenida da Praia Grande, No. 804, Edificia China Plaza, 1°,19°, 20° andar, Macao (country code: 853/ tel.: 2837 0888; fax (853) 2837 4300; email info@dsi.gov.mo; website www.dsi.gov.mo/documents/racert_index_e.html).

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

The penalty for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs may include long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Do not take photos of military installations.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Traffic drives on the left. Roads are narrow and winding. Traffic is usually congested. Public transportation is widely available.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The currency is the pataca. Hong Kong dollars are also accepted. Traveller's cheques can be exchanged at banks and major hotels. Credit cards are widely accepted. Automated banking machines are widely available.

Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Macao is subject to typhoons between April and October. Flooding and landslides can occur. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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