China residents will be able traveling to Macao to operate an e-visa at the beginning of November

November 2, 2022: China’s immigration bureau said mainland residents could travel to Macao from November 1 using an online visa system rather than in-person applications. This movement could surge travel to the world’s biggest gambling hub.

In-person applications have been needed for the past two and a half years because of the Covid-19 restrictions. But the bureau added that as the current Covid situation in Macao was “stable” and demand to meet the city was growing, the government had planned to offer e-visas on Monday.

The bureau added it would “launch exit-entry management policies and measures to promote economic and colonial development” in Macao in a notice posted on the administrator’s official WeChat account.

But the easing of visa rules comes as Macao’s government has reinstated some strict Covid curbs following a handful of recently detected cases after no infections for over three months.

On Sunday, authorities shut down the MGM Cotai casino resort, which is owned by MGM China, with team and guests ordering to stay inside until November 1. The government added that all of Macao’s 700,000 residents are instructed to take rapid antigen tests daily during the period.

The casino closure deals a blowing to operators who have been grappling with China’s ‘zero Covid’ conditions for over two and a half years, which loses millions of dollars monthly.

Macao’s six casino operators are Sands China, Wynn Macao, Galaxy Entertainment, MGM China, Melco Resorts and SJM Holdings are currently awaiting a government decision on whether they will be granted the existing licenses.