6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
Canadians of Chinese origin should be aware of serious personal security issues before travelling to China. There have been a number of recent cases of Canadian-Chinese dual nationals experiencing difficulties, even though they entered the People’s Republic of China using a Canadian passport.
Dual nationality is not recognized in China. Travellers should ensure that they are well informed regarding Chinese law as it relates to determination and loss of Chinese citizenship. Recognition of Canadian citizenship is not automatic.
According to the Consular Agreement between Canada and the People’s Republic of China, Chinese authorities should consider Canadian-Chinese dual nationals entering on a Canadian passport as a Canadian citizen. However, consular assistance has been denied to Chinese-Canadians even though they had entered on a Canadian passport. Canadian-Chinese dual nationals using Chinese travel documents to enter China, have and will be denied Canadian consular services.
It is important to note that Chinese authorities have and will refuse Canadian consular officials access to Canadians of Chinese origin who are detained in the People’s Republic of China.
For more information, see our publication entitled Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know.
Canadians who were born in Macao must declare their Canadian nationality to the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Identification Department for their Canadian citizenship to be recognized by local authorities. If this declaration is not made, local authorities may consider them to be Chinese.
For further information, contact the Macao SAR Identification Department, Avenida da Praia Grande, No. 804, Edificia China Plaza, 1°,19°, 20° andar, Macao (country code: 853/ tel.: 356616).
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.
Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.
The penalty for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs may include long jail sentences and heavy fines.Do not take photos of military installations.
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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
There is no resident Canadian government office in Macao. Canadians in Macao can obtain consular assistance and further information from the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong at the following address:
China - HONG KONG, Consulate General of Canada
Address: 14th Floor, One Exchange Square, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
Postal Address: P.O. Box 11142, Hong Kong SAR, China
Tel.: 852 2810-4321
Fax: 852 2810-6736
E-mail: hkong-cs@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.international.gc.ca/hongkong
For emergency assistance after hours, call the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa toll-free at 0800 371 or use the services offered by Canada Direct.
Canada Direct, offered by Canada's major telecommunications companies, provides travellers with toll-free and hassle-free access to the Canadian telephone network. The Canada Direct access number from Macao is 0-800-100, where a Canadian operator is always available. For more information, call 1 800 561-8868 or visit the Canada Direct Web site.
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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Chinese authorities and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on November 25, 2005. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.
Foreign Affairs Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the People's Republic of China and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Macao. The passport must be valid for at least one month beyond the date of your expected departure from Macao. A visa is not required for stays less than 30 days. Permission must be granted for longer stays.
Canadians entering the Macao SAR via mainland China and leaving again via the mainland may require a new Chinese visa to re-enter mainland China.
Canadians of Chinese descent should not use a "Re-entry Travel Permit" while visiting the People's Republic of China since Chinese authorities may refuse to recognize their Canadian citizenship. For travel to China, Canadians should only use a Canadian passport and the required visa for China.
The Government of the People's Republic of China has modified requirements for the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens born in Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan. Visas will no longer be issued to Canadian passport holders whose place of birth is inscribed as Hong Kong HKG, Macao MAC, or (city name) TWN. Canadian passports issued to Canadians born in Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan are now issued only with the place of birth. There will no longer be a three-letter country code.
For further information, please refer to the Passport Office's Web site.
Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays less than 30 days)
Business Visa: Not required
Investment Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required
The airport departure tax is 80 patacas for adults and 50 patacas for children for flights from Macao to China, and 130 patacas for adults and 80 patacas for children for flights to other destinations.
There is a ferry embarkation tax of 20 patacas, which is normally included in the price of the ticket.
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Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.
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9. MONEY
The currency is the pataca. Hong Kong dollars are also accepted. Traveller's cheques can be exchanged at banks and major hotels. Credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are widely available.
Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.
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10. GENERAL INFORMATION
Macao is located in southeast China, bordering the South China Sea. The official languages are Chinese (Cantonese) and Portuguese. English is spoken in tourist areas. Tourist facilities and services are widely available.
Macao is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China. There are separate Travel Reports for China and China-Hong Kong.
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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.
Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.
The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.
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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Good medical care is available in major hospitals.
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13. RETURNING TO CANADA
Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.
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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.
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15. TRAVEL TIPS
Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.
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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.
Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.
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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION
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18. ANNEX
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