No negotiations for return of IVS

Although the quarantine exemption for Macau residents has been extended to all Guangdong, there’s still no news on the return of individual visas.

Macau.-  As of today (Wednesday), the quarantine exception for Macau residents initialy granted for nine cities will be extended to the whole of Guangdong province. However, Macau authorities have confirmed there are still no negotiations with mainland China to bring back the Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) for travellers to Macau.

Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes said: “Since July 15, they’ve resumed tour groups between provinces, but they are limited to mainland China and do not include Macau.”

According to GGRAsia, she said: “Currently, we are all waiting. I hope that Macau can convey confidence to all the different authorities and that they consider resuming visas.”

Individual visas were suspended in January due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They were a major source of leisure traveller arrivals into Macau – an important contribution to income for Macau casinos and junket operators.

Analysts see reintroduction of the scheme as vital for the return of Chinese high-rollers.