China sets dates for reinstatement of tourist visas to Macau
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@Macau, the world’s biggest casino hub, is set to welcome an influx of gamblers after China announced that tourist visas would be reinstated for all provinces.
Residents from Zhuhai city across the border from Macau are permitted from tomorrow, August 12.
Residents from the neighboring coastal province of Guangdong on the mainland will be able to apply from August 26, the National Immigration Administration said.
Residents of other provinces will be allowed to apply for visas from September 23.
Casino executives and investors have been eagerly awaiting the announcement as a catalyst to reviving gaming revenue, which has slumped since February due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
China’s National Immigration Administration said, provided the domestic coronavirus situation continued to improve, residents would be able to apply for individual and group travel visas to enter the special administrative region located on the country’s southern coast.
Visitors from greater China make up over 90 percent of tourists to the former Portuguese colony of Macau.
Shares of Hong Kong listed casino stocks soared on Tuesday following the announcement. The announcement comes nearly a month after China loosened coronavirus-related border restrictions between Macau and Guangdong.
Questions & Answers
Q.When can all Chinese citizens start applying for tourist visas to Macau?
When can all Chinese citizens start applying for tourist visas to Macau?
Residents from Zhuhai can apply from August 12, those from Guangdong province from August 26, and people from all other Chinese provinces will be able to apply for visas from September 23.
Q.What proportion of Macau's tourists typically come from Greater China?
What proportion of Macau's tourists typically come from Greater China?
Visitors from Greater China usually account for more than 90 percent of all tourists to Macau, making this announcement significant for the region's tourism sector.
Q.What condition must be met for Chinese citizens to apply for Macau visas?
What condition must be met for Chinese citizens to apply for Macau visas?
China’s National Immigration Administration stated that the ability for residents to apply for individual and group travel visas is dependent on the domestic coronavirus situation continuing to improve.
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