How does the Macau visa-on-arrival work?

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Visa-exempt entry for Macau is typically for a maximum of 30 days for people of most nationalities. The official guidelines state:

Visitors are required to prove that they possess the vital resources of a minimum of MOP5000 for their expected period of stay in Macao

In most cases, where such requirements are described by countries, there isn't necessarily a check for every single visitor to show documents. People show this in different ways: cash, bank account statements, credit card statements etc. In general, showing pre-booked accommodation means it's accounted for into that MOP 5000 (or other currencies, in other countries).

Basically, checking whether a visitor has sufficient funds is up to the discretion of the border office in most countries, and usually not carried out. When it is done, the guiding principle appears to be whether you could "plausibly" live with the amount of funds at your disposal for the length of stay. If you don't seem to have that, it's considered a risk by border officials that you'll overstay.

My experience with Macau (and Hong Kong) border officials is that they are pretty relaxed: they have one of the most permissive visa-exempt rules globally and don't grill travellers. You didn't mention what passport you hold - but this is especially true (of not grilling travellers) if you carry travel documents from a "low-risk" country.

(A lot of "usuallys" in the above because from experience, I've never been stopped to ask to prove sufficient funds ever - but other travellers I know have.)

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