Macau offers residency to foreign investors through a qualified investment scheme. The scheme must promote long term benefits to the economy and must create jobs.
Macau officially the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, is an autonomous territory on the western side of the Pearl River estuary in East Asia. Macau was formerly a colony of the Portuguese Empire remained under Portuguese control until 1999, when it was returned to China. Its economy is heavily dependent on gambling and tourism, with the largest gaming revenue since 2006. As a special administrative region, Macau maintains a separate political and economic system apart from mainland China. Macau has a population of 650,000 earning the nickname”Las Vegas of Asia.”.
The minimum amount to gain residency via investment in Macau was increased to MOP 13 million ($1.6 million) in November 2015, with plans to increase it further to MOP 15 million ($1.8 million) reported Macau news agency .
In accordance with Article 2, 6 and 7 of the above-mentioned Administrative Regulation, major considerations for application under the category of “Major Investment/Investment Plan” include but are not limited to the following:
Macau Investment Scheme
| Advantageous Investment Plans: | ||
| Industrial entity (Article 2(1) of Administrative Regulation No. 3/2005) | Service entity (Article 2(2) of Administrative Regulation No.3/2005) | Hospitality entity and other similar entity (Article 2(3) of Administrative Regulation No. 3/2005) |
| – manufacturing of pharmaceutical products. – manufacturing of food products. – manufacturing of high and new technology products. – manufacturing of medical equipment. – manufacturing of high value-added products such as environmental products – industrial projects beneficial to Macao’s moderate economic diversification |
– financial services. – consultation services. – transportation services (logistics). – auxiliary services provided for industries and businesses. – a series of travel-related services derived from tourism industry (such as: large integrated entertainment facilities e.g. theme park, travel agency, special products or services, retail of branded products. – cultural and creative industry. – public utilities. – high and new technology service industry. – Medical and healthcare. – Convention and exhibition. – Quality control. – Education. – Social service. – Multi-national consultation service. – International trade. – Environmental protection. – World-renowned franchising operation or agent for brands – Traditional Chinese Medicine – E-Commerce. |
– hotels of all classes. – similar establishments with special characteristics. |
| Disadvantageous Investment Plans: | ||
| – those which may cause pollution. – those with low energy efficiency. – those which may cause vicious competition within industries. – non-compliance with Macao’s social morality and practices. – other industries which are unfavourable to Macao’s overall interests. |
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2. Investment Plan
The implementation status of the investment plan will be taken into consideration for assessment. If the investment plan has been implemented, it is relatively easier to assess the progress, however,if the investment plan has not yet been implemented, the applicant should provide documentary proof of the feasibility of the related project.
In principle, the higher the actual investment amount, technology level, registered capital, intended investment amount and share-holding proportion contributed or to be contributed in the investment plan, the more advantageous it is for the application. Consideration will also be given to whether the investment plan can contribute to Macao’ slong-term development strategy of moderate economic diversification and becoming a One Centre, One Platform.
3. Create Jobs
The investment plan must make contribution to Macao’s Labour and Employment Market by creating more local jobs. Other Beneficial Factors That the Investment Plan Will Contribute to the Long-term Development of Macao’s Economy
4. The Criteria for Assessment
IPIM will analyse the business nature and uniqueness of the project under the investmentplan, therefore, the applicant should submit supporting documents to show thatthe enterprise has priority over similar enterprises in Macao.
The criteria include:
1) Whether it is beneficial to Macao’s development asa regional co-operation service platform or the trade and economic co-operationservice platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.
2) Whether it is beneficial to Macao’sdiversification development (such as the introduction of a new industry).
3) Whether it will introduce new technology.
4) Whether it will enhance Macao’s internationalimage.
5) Whether it will contribute to Macao’s sustainabledevelopment.
6) Whether the operation establishment is located inmajor commercial district, tourism district or major shopping arcade of hotels.
7) Whether the products or services are the originaldesign or unique/ received accreditation or awards.
8) Whether it is beneficial to the livelihood of Macao’ssociety.
9) Whether it will introduce competition within thesame industry.
10) Whether it will contribute to Macao’s developmentas a tourism and entertainment centre.
11) Whether it carries registered capital of at leastMOP 1 million or holding a registered accountant or auditor’s report.
12) Whether it is operated in a self-ownedestablishment.
13) Whetherit is beneficial to Macao’s economic development based on overallconsideration.
Statistics
According to the latest statistics published by Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, In 2017, Macau approved 6 investment applications, granting residency to 13 people.
| Approved Applications | People received Residency | |
| 2018 | 1 | 6 |
| 2017 | 6 | 13 |
| 2016 | 4 | 11 |
| 2015 |
Macau Permanent Resident
Foreigners can get permanent resident status in Macau after continuously living for 7 years.
Macau Passport
As of January 2018 according Macau migration office, holders of the Macau SAR passports enjoy visa-free entry to 136 countries and territories worldwide, including all Member States of the European Union, UK, Ireland, Brazil, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, South Africa and South Korea. Macau SAR passport holders aged between 18 and 30 are eligible to apply under the Working Holiday Scheme by the New Zealand Government.
Foreign nationals or stateless persons who are permanent residents of the Macao SAR may apply to naturalize as chinese national in Macau
According to Henley passport index 2018, Macau has #29 place in world passport rankings
Source: https://www.ipim.gov.mo/en/services/investment-residency/
