Immigration Requirements for Macau and Hongkong

Question

We are a family of six, including a senior citizen and two children under the age of 12, traveling from India to Hong Kong and Macau. We will arrive at Hong Kong International Airport at 6 AM after an overnight flight from India.

Our tentative itinerary:

May 13: Arrive at Hong Kong International Airport → Travel directly to Macau → Overnight stay in Macau

May 14: Travel from Macau to Hong Kong (Kowloon area)

May 14–18: Stay in Kowloon, explore Hong Kong

May 18–19: Stay at Disneyland

May 20: Depart from Hong Kong at 10 AM flight back to India

We plan to apply for a Hong Kong visa before traveling. However, we would like to understand the immigration procedures if we travel directly to Macau from Hong Kong Airport. Specifically:

1. What are the immigration formalities for entering Macau directly from Hong Kong Airport?

2. After our stay in Macau, what is the process for entering Hong Kong? Where should we go for immigration clearance?

Any guidance on this would be greatly appreciated.

Answer

Traveling from Hong Kong to Macau and back involves passing through two separate immigration systems, as Hong Kong and Macau are Special Administrative Regions (SARs) with their own border controls. Here’s a detailed guide for your family:

1. Entering Macau directly from Hong Kong Airport

There is no direct transfer from Hong Kong International Airport to Macau without clearing Hong Kong immigration first. Your options are:

Option 1: Take a ferry from Hong Kong Airport via shuttle bus
- After landing at HKIA, you need to clear Hong Kong immigration and collect your luggage (if checked through to Hong Kong).
- Take the Airport Express or shuttle bus to the Hong Kong–Macau Ferry Terminal (Sheung Wan or Tsim Sha Tsui). Some shuttle services operate directly from the airport to ferry terminals.
- Purchase ferry tickets and clear Macau immigration upon arrival at Macau ferry terminal.
Option 2: Fly from HK to Macau
- After clearing Hong Kong immigration and customs, board a flight to Macau. On arrival, clear Macau immigration.
Option 3: Bus via Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge (HZMB)
- Clear Hong Kong immigration first.
- Take the shuttle bus from the airport to HZMB port.
- Board the shuttle to Macau and clear Macau immigration at the Macau port.

Important: All travelers, including children and seniors, must carry passports. Visa requirements for Macau depend on your nationality; Indian citizens generally require a visa or pre-arrival permit for Macau, which you should arrange before departure.

2. Returning to Hong Kong from Macau

When traveling from Macau to Hong Kong, the process is:

Board a ferry or HZMB shuttle bus from Macau port. Before leaving, clear Macau exit immigration.
Upon arrival in Hong Kong (ferry terminal or HZMB port), clear Hong Kong immigration. Your Hong Kong visa should be valid for entry.
After immigration clearance, collect any luggage if transferred separately, then continue to your hotel in Kowloon.

Additional tips:

Allow at least 3–4 hours for transit on May 13 from Hong Kong Airport to Macau, including immigration, travel to ferry/bus, and ferry/shuttle time.
Keep passports and visas handy, as border officials will check all family members individually.
Ferries and HZMB shuttles have frequent departures, but booking in advance is recommended, especially for a family of six.
For seniors and children, some ferry operators provide priority boarding or discounted tickets—check in advance.

In summary, you must clear Hong Kong immigration first after arriving at the airport. Then, depending on your chosen transport mode, you will clear Macau immigration upon arrival. Returning to Hong Kong requires clearing Macau exit immigration and Hong Kong entry immigration. Careful planning of timing and transport options will ensure a smooth transfer for your family.

Immigration Requirements for Macau and Hongkong

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