Non-residents wishing to work in Macau must apply for a work permit, even if they're from visa-exempt countries. The process involves obtaining a contracting authorization from the Labour Affairs Bureau and an Authorization to Stay for Non-resident Workers from the Residence and Stay Affairs Department.
Eligibility Criteria
Employers must be:
- Macau residents, registered companies, or non-residents with operations in Macau;
- must prove the necessity of hiring non-resident workers due to local market insufficiencies;
- demonstrate financial stability; and
- provide details of current local hires.
Quotas are provisional, usually granted for one or two years, and subject to renewal.
Applicants must possess the required qualifications and experience for the job.
Application Procedures and Required Documentation
Initial Examination
- A completed application form and a copy of it;
- Copy of valid passport / travel document / identification document used for entry to and departure from Macau;
- 1 recent colour photo of 1.5-inch, full face, no-hat, white-background;
- Copy of other certificates or documents.
Final Examination (in-person):
If the application is approved, the employee is required to be fingerprinted and submit the following:
- Copy of the initially approved "application form";
- 1 recent colour photo of 1.5-inch, full face, no-hat, white-background;
- A completed "Declaration of Identification"
Upon completion of the procedure, the Subdivision will grant the "Authorization to Stay for Non-resident Workers".
Applications must be made in person or by a legal representative, with no online or mail options currently available.
Estimated Processing Timeline Processing time for complete applications is typically 45 to 65 days, but delays may occur due to the pandemic.
If you need assistance navigating this process, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to help make the process as smooth as possible for you.