Macau will allow citizens of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman to enter China’s Special Administrative Region (SAR) without a visa or pre?entry permit from?16?July. According to local media reports, the decision mirrors the Chinese mainland’s unilateral visa?free trial launched on?9?June. It means that every Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member now enjoys visa?free access to both jurisdictions. ??
The United Arab Emirates has enjoyed visa-free access to Macau for several years, and adding the remaining five states brings the total number of exempt countries to 82. Eligible visitors holding ordinary passports may stay for up to 30 days, a period aligned with existing immigration regulations. ???
Tourism agency eyes Middle East market??
Local media reported that visa facilitation supports the Macau Government Tourism Office’s strategy to diversify source markets beyond East Asia. The agency promoted the city at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai earlier this year and has flagged joint initiatives with Hong?Kong, Beijing and Shanghai to create multi?destination itineraries for Gulf travellers and other Muslim?majority markets. ???
Closer travel ties are expected to encourage Gulf sovereign wealth funds and technology firms already active on the mainland to explore opportunities in Macau. Local media reported that city officials hope the measure will complement ongoing efforts by Hong?Kong and mainland authorities to deepen capital market and innovation links with GCC partners.
Current Gulf visitor base remains small??
counted just?13,477 long?haul arrivals in the first quarter of?2025, only 0.1?percent of total visitors, underlining the room for growth from the Middle East. Tourism authorities believe easing entry procedures will help to raise awareness of Macau’s integrated resort (IR) offering, halal?friendly services, and proximity to Greater Bay Area technology hubs. ??
Regional visa landscape broadens??
Meanwhile, China achieved full visa-free coverage for all six GCC countries in May, and other destinations, such as Armenia, have since announced similar policies. Analysts note that a growing network of reciprocal or unilateral waivers is reshaping travel patterns between the Gulf and Asia, with cities competing to attract high-spending tourists, investors, and innovators.??
Diversifying beyond gambling??
The East Asian country is embarking on a strategic shift beyond 氚旍勾霛約 and gambling. Last year, the city-state announced its plans to diversify its revenue streams and reduce its dependence on gaming revenue. Last March, the government reviewed 氚旍勾霛 operators’ mandated non-gaming investments. The six major 氚旍勾霛 operators in Macau, namely Sands China, Wynn Macau, Galaxy Entertainment, MGM China, Melco Resorts, and SJM Holdings, are required to invest MOP130 billion (14.6 billion) into non-gaming projects. These investments aim to reduce Macau’s dependence on the gaming sector and boost alternative industries, such as tourism, healthcare, finance, and technology.?
