“Special Authorization to Stay” for Non-resident Students
Introduction of Service
(Service Scope)
1.
Issue and extension of “Special Authorization to Stay” (“Student Visa”) to students from Mainland China studying at a higher institute in Macao pursuant to Law No. 4/2003, Article 8, Terms 1 to 4.
2.
Issue and extension of “Special Authorization to Stay” (“Student Visa”) to students from other countries/regions studying at a higher institute in Macao upon expiration of validity of their original “Authorization to stay”, pursuant to Law No. 4/2003, Article 8, Terms 1 to 4.
Executive Body
(Reception Unit)
Foreigners Subdivision of Immigration Department
Apply at
Immigration Department Building, Travessa Um do Cais de Pac On, Taipa, Macao
Office Hours
Mon – Thu
09H00 – 17H45 (tags dispensed until 5pm)
Fri
09H00 – 17H30 (as above)
Closed on Sat, Sun and public holidays
For Inquiry
Address:
Immigration Department Building, Travessa Um do Cais de Pac On, Taipa, Macao
The validity of the original “Authorization to Stay” is not sufficient for the interested person’s legal stay in Macao until the end of the course program.
Application Means
1.
Students from Mainland China:
Holders of the “Two-way Exit Permit” of the PRC should submit an application for “Special Authorization to Stay” as soon as possible during the limit of stay (a maximum of 90 days) granted upon their first entry to Macao with the use of “Stay Endorsement (D)”. [Note: Go to item 1 of “Remark” for details]
2.
Students from other countries / regions:
Applicants should submit the application in person 20 days prior to the expiration of their “Authorization to Stay”.
Necessary Documents
[Note: Unless specified, the original document should be presented for verification if a photocopy is submitted.]
1.
Required documents:
1)
A completed application form for “Special Authorization to Stay”;
2)
Enrollment verification and document showing the length of course of study;
3)
3 recent, full-face, no-hat, white-background, black-and-white or colored photos of the interested person (size: 1.5 inches, or 35mm x 45mm);
4)
Copy of the valid passport / travel document / “Two-way Exit Permit”:
A.
Students from Mainland China – Copies of a valid “Two-way Exit Permit” and “Stay Endorsement (D)” (bio data page, used inside pages and “endorsement” page only)
B.
Students from other countries / regions – Copies of a valid passport / travel documents (bio data page and used inside pages only)
2.
Process after application is accepted:
1)
A “receipt” shall be issued after the above required documents are successfully submitted. Applicant (or school representative) should check the application status no later than on the appointment date. He/she may also refer to the Progress Inquiry System of the Application for Non-resident Student’s “Special Authorization to Stay” on our website. When the result is out, he/she may come to our Subdivision for the necessary procedures.
2)
Applicant enquiring “in person”:
A.
Applicants should carry the following documents to check their application status:
If approved, “Authorization to Stay” endorsement will be made in their valid passports / travel documents / “Two-way Exit Permit”. The applicants need to sign and date the “Acknowledgement”.
3)
Enquiring through a “school representative”:
In order to reduce the number of personal visits, the above procedure can be completed by a school representative as follows:
A.
The higher institute sends a letter to the Department in charge to notify them about the appointed school representative with his/her personal data;
B.
The appointed school representative should bring:
a.
His/her staff card and personal identification card in order to verify his/her identity;
b.
Students’ valid passports / travel documents / “Two-way Exit Permit” (including the “Stay Endorsement (D)”). If approved, “Authorization to Stay” endorsement will be made in their valid passports / travel documents / “Two-way Exit Permit”;
c.
Representative signs the “Acknowledgement” on behalf of the students;
C.
After verifying all documents for accuracy and completeness, the school representative must ensure the return of all the travel documents and acknowledgment back to the respective students.
[Note:
If the institute opts for using a representative in order to simplify the procedures for the students, it is important to have a well thought out and monitored process in order to ensure that the students’ documents are timely collected and submitted to the Immigration Department for the endorsement. All documents must be promptly returned to their holders upon completion of procedures.]
Documents to be Presented
The original of the above-mentioned documents should be presented for verification
Fee (or tax)
Free
Processing Time
30 days [Note: From the next working day following the day when the service unit receives and confirms that all the required documents have been correctly prepared.]
Remark
1.
Application period of “Special Authorization to Stay” for students from Mainland China:
1)
Since 8 February 2010, students from Mainland China with the “Two-way Exit Permit” should submit an application for “Special Authorization to Stay” as soon as possible during the limit of stay (a maximum of 90 days) granted upon their first entry to Macao with the use of “Stay Endorsement (D)”. If the students do not file the application and attempt to re-enter Macao after the 90 days, temporary entry will still be granted at the checkpoint if the students can present any form of enrollment proof (e.g. a valid student identification card, proof of enrollment etc.). A written notice will be issued to the students and they must submit the application before the date stated on the notice. If the students cannot present any proof of enrolment, their entry will be denied.
2)
Students from Mainland China who entered Macao before 8 February 2010 with the “Stay Endorsement (D)” but has not yet filed (or completed) the application for “Special Authorization to Stay” are required to file the application during the limit of stay granted upon entry or on the date stated on the written notice.
[Note:
Persons who do not undertake remedial measures to regularise their status at the Foreigners Subdivision during the stated legal period or on the date of appointment stated on the written notice issued at the border checkpoint shall be considered illegal immigrants and may be liable to prosecution.]
2.
Validity of the endorsement of “Authorization to Stay” granted
1)
For study programs with less than a year in duration:
Validity of “Authorization to Stay” granted will be through the last day of the program
2)
For study programs of more than one year ending before 31 December of the following year:
Validity of “Authorization to Stay” granted will be through the last day of the program of the following year.
The validity of the above-mentioned “Authorization to Stay” must not exceed 30 days before that of the “Two-way Exit Permit” and “Stay Endorsement (D)”, or passport / other travel document and any re-entry or return permit (Administrative Regulation No. 5/2003, Article 9).
(2)
“Authorization to Stay” will be granted with a shorter validity period than the above-mentioned due to early expiration of their passport / travel document or “Two-way Exit Permit” (including the “Stay Endorsement (D)”). Upon extending the validity of passports / travel documents / “Two-way Exit Permit” (including the “Stay Endorsement (D)”), students shall submit copies of the new valid passports / travel documents / “Two-way Exit Permit” to the Foreigners Subdivision and apply for “extension of validity” (i.e. An updated “Authorization to Stay” with the previously mentioned validity.)]
3.
Extension of stay
If a student needs to stay in Macao longer for personal reasons after completing the program, he/she may apply for extension of “Authorization to Stay”. [Please click here for details]
4.
Multiple entries and exits
1)
Students may make multiple entries and exits during the validity of “Authorization to Stay” (stamp).
A.
Those who qualify for “Entry Permit”(“visa”) waiver [Go to Part VII of “Entry and Departure of Non-residents” for details] will be granted a new validity period upon every entry to Macao with the exception of cases when a longer validity is granted in accordance with applicable legal regulations regarding entry.
B.
Those who are required to possess a “visa” or “Entry Permit” to re-enter Macao will be exempted from applying for such “visa” or “Entry Permit” upon every entry until the expiration of the stamp. If a student intends to stay longer than the initially granted period of time, he/she needs to apply again for “Entry Permit” when re-entering Macao. [Go to Part VI, item 5 of “Entry and Departure of Non-residents” for details]
2)
For students from Mainland China, upon submission of application for “Special Authorization to Stay”, their “Two-way Exit Permit” will be endorsed with a red “Authorization to Stay” (“red stamp”). Upon approval, the “Permit” will be endorsed with a green “Authorization to Stay” (“green stamp”). Students may make multiple entries and exits with either stamp during its validity. The “Permit” will not be endorsed with other stamps.
5.
Students with an approved “Special Authorization to Stay” should be aware that:
1)
They must comply with the higher institute’s rules with regard to class attendance. Failure to comply may result in revocation of their “Special Authorization to Stay”.
2)
In the event of interruption of studies by the student, such as discontinuing studies, postponing studies, completing the course program earlier than initially established, being subject to expulsion from the higher institute etc., upon completion of the higher institute’s exit procedures, the student must go to the Foreigners Subdivision the next working day to cancel the student’s “Authorization to Stay” (“green stamp”) and apply for the regular “Authorization to Stay” (“blue stamp”) for any arrangement before departure. The student should exit Macao before the “Authorization to Stay” (“blue stamp”) expires. If the student transfers to another higher institute, he/she shall follow the above procedures to cancel his/her original “Authorization to Stay” (“green stamp”) first and then apply for the regular “Authorization to Stay” (“blue stamp”). During the validity of the “blue stamp”, the student should file a new application for “Special Authorization to Stay” and provide the Subdivision with new enrolment proof.
3)
“Special Authorization to Stay” becomes invalid (regardless of the validity of the “green stamp”) on the date when the Immigration Department receives a written notice from the higher institute. If the student remains in Macao without valid “Authorization to Stay”, his/her status will be considered as overstay. This person will need a new and valid “endorsement” when re-entering Macao, otherwise, his/her entry will be denied.
6.
Penalty for overstaying
1)
An individual who overstays in the Macao Special Administrative Region for less than 30 days after the expiry of the authorization granted is fined MOP200.00 per overdue day. The violator is required to pay the fine immediately after he or she is arrested or reports himself or herself to the police.
2)
An individual who performs the same violation within 180 days cannot regularize his or her overstay status by paying the fine.
3)
An individual who does not regularize his or her overstay status as stipulated in the above-mentioned 1) within the period of time specified will be regarded as an illegal immigrant. The individual cannot make any application for Residence Authorization, extension of Authorization to Stay and Authorization to Stay for Non-residents within two years. The Immigration Department will not accept these applications.
4)
An individual who is regarded as an illegal immigrant will be deported and refused entry to the Macao Special Administrative Region for the period indicated in the deportation order.
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