Ways to live in Macao
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Work permit Work permits →
Talent Recruitment Programmes (High-end Talents, Outstanding Talents, Advanced Professionals)
Residence for highly qualified people in Macao's priority sectors: health, high technology, modern finance, and culture and sports. Introduced by the 2023 talent recruitment law, it replaced the old residence route for skilled managers and technicians.
- What you need
- Strong qualifications, experience or achievements in a target sector; the Advanced Professionals track also takes graduates of top universities in related fields. Outstanding Talents and Advanced Professionals must work in Macao in a job matching their profile and report any job change within 30 days. Approval is at the authorities' discretion.
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Online through the Talent Recruitment E-application Platform of the Talent Development Committee, during an open application round
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Advanced Professionals must actually live in Macao to keep and renew their status; Outstanding Talents do not have this condition.
Student visa Student visas →
Special Authorisation to Stay for non-resident students
Lets foreigners admitted to an approved higher education programme in Macao stay for their studies.
- What you need
- Admission to a Macao higher education institution and a valid passport. Apply before the stay granted on entry ends; if the permission is shorter than the course, update it before it runs out.
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- At the Stay Subdivision of the Public Security Police, by online appointment
Investment and golden visa Investment and golden visas →
Temporary residency for major investment
Residence for people who invest in a substantial business project in Macao. The old real-estate investment route has been closed to new applicants since 2007.
- What you need
- Investment of at least MOP 15,000,000 (about $1.9 million) in your own capital, in a project that fits Macao's diversification goals, creates local jobs and can run sustainably. Approval is case by case.
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- With the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, then a residence certificate from the Public Security Police
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- After 7 years holders can file a confirmation declaration, but permanent residency is not automatic.
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| Room in a shared flat | $600 |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom flat | $1,200 |
| Two-bedroom flat | $1,900 |
| Bills | $120 |
| Typical local salary | $2,400 |
Some of these figures are estimates; treat them as a rough guide.
Cities to consider
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Macao blends colonial churches and tiled lanes with temples and dim sum. Taipa and Coloane feel calmer and greener than the peninsula. Macanese cuisine, egg tarts and easy trips to Hong Kong and Zhuhai add variety.
Day to day
Buses and a light rail cover the territory, and ferries and a bridge reach Hong Kong. Public and private hospitals are good. Local cards and e-wallets dominate. Cantonese is everyday; Portuguese is official but rarely heard.
Trade-offs
Space is tight and housing is small and expensive. The economy leans heavily on casinos and tourism, and crowds can be overwhelming. Summers are hot, humid and typhoon-prone.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United States30 days
United Kingdom180 days
Australia30 days
Canada30 days
New Zealand90 days
Switzerland90 days
Norway90 days
Singapore30 days
Japan90 days
South Korea90 days
Israel90 days
United Arab Emirates30 days
Hong Kong365 days
South Africa30 days
Mexico90 days
Brazil90 days
Questions
Does Macao have a digital nomad visa?
Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.
How can I move to Macao?
The routes we have checked are: Work permit, Student visa, Investment and golden visa.
Sources and last check
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
