New rules for in-transit visitors to be applied July 1

2014/6/18

From：Macau Daily Times

Macau will reduce the maximum number of days that Chinese passport holders with transit visas can stay in the city from seven to five, in an attempt to prevent them from abusing the law. Consequently, casino shares have dropped.
Transit visitors from China who don’t depart for another destination within the five days will be in violation of the new rules, effective July 1, and will be penalized upon their next visit, the city’s Public Security Police (PSP) revealedin a statement. Repeated violations will result in denial of entry.
A PSP official told local and Hong Kong media that they will find and investigate over 100 Chinese passport holders who don’t comply with the in transit rule.
Chinese tourists have been driving the revenue of casino companies in the world’s largest gambling hub. The companies are competing for gamblers by adding malls, theaters and restaurants to their resorts. An improved rail connection and an increase in hotel rooms are helping draw more vacationing Chinese to Macau and the country’s legal casinos.
“We do not think this new policy will have a measurable impact on gaming revenue,” Grant Govertsen at investment bank Union Gaming Group said yesterday. “It is important to keep in mind that most high-value casino customers typically come to Macau about four times per year.” Most visitors to Macau only stay a day or two, he said.
The new rules follow a recent report conducted by the Chinese state media CCTV, which revealed that around a million people are estimated to have entered the region last year using a travel loophole.
Travel agencies in Shenzhen and Zhuhai have been promoting the scheme, which promises to “help” clients enter Macau and Hong Kong via non-legitimate visas and flight tickets.
According to the immigration laws of Hong Kong and Macau, mainland residents can enter the two Special Administrative Regions and stay for up to seven days if they are in transit and traveling to a third country later. They are required to present their Chinese passport, a flight ticket, or the visa issued by the country of destination.

Copyright@Macau Daily Times