The signing ceremony of the Agreements on Mutual Abolition of Visa Requirements and on the Readmission of Persons with Unauthorized Stays between the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the Swiss Federal Council took place in the Macao Cultural Centre on 28th October 2005.

The Government of the Macao SAR has obtained the authorization from the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China to conclude the above-mentioned agreements. The Secretary for Administration and Justice Ms. Florinda da Rosa Silva Chan, and the Consul General of Switzerland in Hong Kong, Mr. François Barras, representing the Government of the Macao SAR and the Swiss Federal Council respectively, signed the agreements.

The above-mentioned agreements will be effective from 1st December 2005 and are applicable to the territory of the Principality of Liechtenstein. After the agreements come into effect, holders of a valid passport of the Macao SAR will be able to enter into Switzerland or Liechtenstein without a visa, for a stay of up to 90 days.

To date, there are 68 countries/territories that agree to grant the abolition of visa or to issue visa upon arrival to the holders of the Macao SAR passport, 7 countries agree to abolish visa requirement to the holders of the Macao SAR Travel Permit.