| Macao Special Administrative Region passport 澳門特別行政區護照 | |
|---|---|
 The front cover of the Macao SARePassport issued since September 2009 | |
| Type | Passport |
| Issued by |  Identification Services Bureau |
| First issued | 1999 (first version) September 2009 (second version) December 2019 (third version) |
| Eligibility | Chinese citizens who are permanent residents ofMacao |
| Expiration | 10 years (over 18 years old) 5 years (under 18 years old) |
| Cost | MOP$430 |
TheMacao Special Administrative Regionpassport (Chinese:澳門特別行政區護照;Portuguese:Passaporte da Região Administrativa Especial de Macau) is apassport issued toChinese citizens who are permanent residents of the ChineseSpecial Administrative Region ofMacau. While both "Macao" and "Macau" are used interchangeably, "Macao" is the officially adopted English-language spelling for the SAR's government and its official documents,[1] including the passport.
In accordance withMacau Basic Law, this passport has been issued by theIdentification Services Bureau (under theSecretariat for Administration and Justice) of thegovernment of Macau since thehandover of Macau on 20 December 1999. This is done under the prerogative of theCentral People's Government of the People's Republic of China.
AsPortuguese andChinese are the official languages of Macao, all text within the passport appears inTraditional Chinese characters, Portuguese andEnglish.
In accordance with thenationality law of the People's Republic of China and the explanations provided by the Standing Committee of theNational People's Congress for Macao, any Macao permanent resident holding Chinese nationality can apply for the Macao SAR passport.
The first version of the Macao SAR passport was introduced on 20 December 1999, following the formal establishment of the Macao SAR. This initial version was a non-biometric, standardmachine-readable passport, designed in accordance with the international standards set by theInternational Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Document 9303. Security features typical of that era included laminated data pages,guilloché patterns, andwatermarks. The internal pages featured simple, monochromatic designs with alotus flower watermark, serving as a security element and as a symbol of the SAR.
The second version, abiometric passport, was introduced in September 2009, replacing the previous non-biometric, machine-readable type. This upgrade reflected the global shift towards enhanced passport security and the increasing adoption of biometric technology for travel documents, driven by international standards set by organisations such as ICAO.
The most notable feature of this version is the embeddedcontactless chip, located within the passport's back cover, which securely stores the holder's personal data. An electronic travel document symbol is prominently displayed on the cover to indicate the presence of the chip. The biodata page was upgraded to a durablepolycarbonate material, with the holder's personal information and photo engraved using multi-laser technology. A supplemental page also included the holder's photo and right index fingerprint.[2]
In addition to its technical enhancements, the internal pages of the passport were designed to reflect Macao's uniquecultural identity. The illustrations feature prominent landmarks from Macao'sUNESCO World Heritage sites, including theRuins of St. Paul's, theGuia Lighthouse, andA-Ma Temple, alongside the city's three main bridges and the lotus flower, the official emblem of the Macao SAR.[3] The bottom of each page also displays connected patterns of theGreat Wall of China and lotus flowers.These design elements highlight the harmonious blend of Chinese and Western cultures and symbolise Macao's role as a cultural bridge between East and West.
The third and most recent version of the Macao SAR Passport was introduced for applications submitted on and after 3 December 2019.[4] This update aimed to modernise the passport's anti-counterfeiting features and design, as the previous version had been in use for a decade, and to align with the evolving international security standards.[2]
While this version retains the same core materials and anti-forgery design principles of its predecessor, it incorporates enhanced technologies to further strengthen document integrity. A key improvement is the upgraded cryptographic chip, which offers more robust encryption to protect the holder's personal data.[4] The biodata page includes tactile elements such as raised printing of Macao's emblem—the lotus flower—providing an additional layer of physical security.
The internal pages now feature enhanced colourultraviolet (UV) printing techniques. UnderUV light, instead of the basic four-colour patterns used in the previous version, vivid full-colour night views of Macao appear, contrasting with the original daytime architectural imagery. This creates a dynamic day-and-night visual effect.[2]
The cover of the passport is coloured bottle green with theNational Emblem of the People's Republic of China emblazoned centermost at the front. The passport's front cover is inscribed with the titles of the PRC and the SAR inChinese:中華人民共和國澳門特別行政區護照, inPortuguese:Região Administrativa Especial de Macau, República Popular da China, Passaporte, and in English:Macao Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China, Passport. Each passport consists of 48 numbered pages of size 125 mm × 88 mm (4.9 in × 3.5 in) emprinted with artistic designs featuring Macao's world culture heritage sites.[5]
The passport note appears on the second page in Chinese, Portuguese, and English:
中華人民共和國外交部請各國軍政機關對持照人予以通行的便利和必要的協助
O MINISTÉRIO DOS NEGÓCIOS ESTRANGEIROS DA REPÚBLICA POPULAR DA CHINA SOLICITA A TODAS AS AUTORIDADES CIVIS E MILITARES DOS PAÍSES ESTRANGEIROS QUE DEIXEM PASSAR LIVREMENTE O TITULAR DESTE PASSAPORTE E LHE DISPENSEM AUXÍLIO EM CASO DE NECESSIDADE
THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA REQUESTS ALL CIVIL AND MILITARY AUTHORITIES OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES TO ALLOW THE BEARER OF THIS PASSPORT TO PASS FREELY AND AFFORD ASSISTANCE IN CASE OF NEED
The biodata page of the passport includes:
Besides personal data, the supplemental page of passport is printed with the picture andfingerprint of that holder.
The passport's explanatory notes are located on pages 45, 46, and 47 of the passport. The following text is pre-printed on the passport explanatory notes page in Chinese, Portuguese, and English:
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Macao SAR passports are only issued by the Identification Services Bureau in Macao.[6] An applicant must fill out an application form, possess a Macao SAR Permanent Resident Identity Card and two recent 1½-inch colour photos along with (if replacing an old passport) their prior Macao SAR passport.
Qualified applicants can apply in Macao or overseas if necessary.
Despite being endorsed by theChinese government, the Macao SAR passport is not accepted by China'sMinistry of Public Security for travel between mainland China and Macao. This is because both mainland and Macao authorities have agreed that using a passport for 'domestic' travel is deemed 'unnecessary' and 'inappropriate'.
Macao residents eligible for a Macao SAR passport are also eligible to apply for aMainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (colloquially known as a "Home Return Permit"). Issued by theNational Immigration Administration of China, this serves as the primary travel document for Chinese citizens who are Macao permanent residents to enter mainland China. The issuance of a Home Return Permit is entirely at the discretion of theNational Immigration Administration of China and is represented in Macao by theChina Travel Service. It is important to note that possession of a Macao SAR passport does not necessarily guarantee the issuance of a Home Return Permit.
Macao residents travelling to mainland China from a third country without a Home Return Permit may obtain aChinese Travel Document from an overseas Chinese embassy or consulate prior to their departure from that country.
Regardless of their citizenship status, Macao permanent residents do not require a passport to enter Hong Kong. Instead, they can use their permanent ID card, which grants them 180-day visa-free access. Non-permanent residents can use aVisit Permit for Residents of Macao to Hong Kong SAR for visa-free entry for up to 30 days.
When Macao residents travel abroad via Hong Kong, such residents can use their MSAR passports to enter Hong Kong and stay 7 days visa-free.
Macao SAR permanent residents may use the"Macao One Account" mobile application's QR Code for e-Channel entry into Hong Kong, though carrying their physical Macao identity cards remains a requirement when crossing the border. Eligibility for this service requires individuals to be aged 11 or above, hold a valid Macao permanent identity card, and have successfully enrolled for e-Channel service in the Hong Kong SAR.[7]
Macao SAR passport holders can enter Taiwan under a special entry-permit regime managed by Taiwan'sNational Immigration Agency, rather than requiring a traditional visa. This regime offers simplified entry procedures.
Holders born in Macao (or those who have previously entered Taiwan at least once as a Macao permanent resident) have two primary options:
Both the online registration and the on-arrival options grant a single entry with a maximum stay of up to 30 days.[9] Travellers must present a valid Macao SAR passport with at least three months' validity remaining at the border checkpoint.[10]
As of 27 July 2025, Macao SAR passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 148 countries and territories worldwide. This includes all Member States of theEuropean Union,Brazil,Japan,Malaysia,Russia,Singapore,South Africa andSouth Korea.[11] In 2025, theHenley Passport Index ranked the Macao SAR passport as the 31st most powerful passport globally. In comparison, the Hong Kong SAR passport was ranked 18th, while thePRC passport was ranked 60th.[12]
As Chinese citizens, holders of a Macao Special Administrative Region passport are entitled to full consular protection by Chinese foreign missions abroad.
Macao SAR passport holders may undertake a paid activity (i.e. work) visa-free for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period in theSchengen Agreement signatory states ofBelgium,Denmark,Iceland,Lithuania,Luxembourg, theNetherlands,Norway,Slovenia andSweden (though not inPortugal).[13] InSwitzerland, another Schengen signatory state, Macao SAR passport holders can apply for a permit for "gainful occupation" of maximum 8 days in a calendar year during their visa-exempt stay without needing to apply for a work visa;[14] however, this 8-day exemption does not cover occupation in the primary or secondary construction industry, civil engineering, catering and hotel services, industrial and private cleaning industries, surveillance and security services, and sex industry. Alternatively, if in possession of a long term residence permit issued by any other Schengen member state, a Macao SAR passport holder may undertake gainful occupation for up to 3 months visa-free in Switzerland without any of the aforementioned industry restrictions. InCroatia (aEuropean Union member state which acceded to theSchengen agreement on 1st Jan 2024), Macao SAR passport holders may undertake a paid activity (i.e. work) visa-free for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.[13]
Macao SAR passport holders aged between 18 and 30 are eligible to apply under the Working Holiday Scheme by theNew Zealand Government.[15] If successful, a visa is issued which permits the holder to spend up to 12 months in New Zealand for the primary purpose of travel but allowing for supplementary short-term employment or study. The scheme is highly competitive as applicants from Macao and mainland China are subject to a quota of 1000 visas annually (there is a separate quota for Hong Kong applicants).
Holders of the Macao SAR ePassport benefit from access to automated immigration clearance systems in several countries, streamlining their entry and exit processes. These systems, which typically utilise biometric technology such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, are designed to enhance efficiency and security at borders.
As of 27 July 2025, six countries offering such facilities to Macao SAR ePassport holders areAustralia (SmartGates),[16] theRepublic of Korea (Smart Entry Service),[17]Japan (Trusted Traveler Program),[18]New Zealand (eGates),[19]Singapore (Automated Clearance Initiative),[20] and theUnited Kingdom (ePassport gates as a Registered Traveller).[21] Eligibility for these systems may involve specific age restrictions or pre-registration, varying by country.
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