China Visa-free Policy

China announced on May 6, 2024 that visa-free policy provided to citizens of 12 countries including France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands was extended to the end of 2025, which was previously effective till the end of November this year. Benefiting from the policy, citizens of these 12 countries can enter China without a visa and stay for at most 15 days.

For long, China has not been generous in allowing visa-free travel within its territory. But the situation is changing. The visa-free duration of stay for Singaporeans has been extended from 15 days to 30 days. From December 1, 2023 on, citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia have been allowed to travel to China without a visa for up to 15 days. China Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on March 7, 2024 that citizens of Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg had also been eligible for China visa-free policy since March 14, 2024. By now, the allowed nationalities who can travel to China without a visa have been increased to 36. Hopefully, we conjecture that the policy will be adopted among more and more foreign citizens.

Who are eligible for China visa-free policy?

Nationality	Duration of Stay
Switzerland	15 days
Ireland	15 days
Hungary	15 days
Austria	15 days
Belgium	15 days
Luxembourg	15 days
France	15 days
Germany	15 days
Italy	15 days
the Netherlands	15 days
Spain	15 days
Malaysia	15 days
Albania	15 days
Antigua and Barbuda	15 Days
Armenia	90 days every 180 days
Barbados	30 days
Bahamas	30 days
Belarus	30 days for each entry; 90 days each calendar year
Bosnia and Herzegovina	90 days every 180 days
Brunei	15 days
Dominica	30 days
Ecuador	30 days
Fiji	30 days
Grenada	30 days
Kazakhstan	30 days for each entry; 90 days every 180 days
Maldives	30 days
Mauritius	30 days
Qatar	30 days
San Marino	3 months
Serbia	30 days
Seychelles	30 days
Singapore	30 days
Surinam	30 days
Thailand	30 days for each entry; 90 days every 180 days
Tonga	30 days
UAE	30 days

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Tips for Using China Visa-free Policy

1. Passport holders of above countries should travel to China for the purposes of sightseeing, visiting relatives and friends, doing business and connecting flights. Those coming here to study, work, reside, or do media report and interview should apply for a visa in advance.

2. If your planned duration of stay is longer than the allowed, you also need to apply for a visa in advance.

3. The validity of the passport should be long enough to cover one’s stay in China. In some cases, it requires that the passport should be valid for at least 3 months or even longer. Other travel certificates or ID certificates are not recognized.

4. There is no “overstayed” or “refused” stamps on your passport.

5. The policy is only valid within mainland China. If you also plan to travel to Hong Kong and Macau, please check the Hong Kong Visa Policy and Macau Visa Policy.

FAQs on China Visa-free Policy

What other documents do I need to show to the immigration staff in addition to my passport?

It is advised you also bring an invitation letter, hotel order(s) in China, outbound ticket from China, or other documents proving your travel purpose(s) in China.

In addition to flying, can I enter China by other transport?

Principally, you can enter China by air, train, ship, bus or any other transport via any port.

Based on China visa-free policy, my allowed duration of stay is 15 days. When does this 15-day start and end?

It starts from your arrival date and ends at 24:00 of the 15th day.

What if I need to stay longer than the allowed after entry?

After entering China, if you have to stay longer than the allowed duration of stay, go to local Entry and Exit Administration Office to apply for a temporary stay permit.

Can I use this policy for multiple times? Is there any limitation on number of visa exemptions, interval between two entries, and total length of stays?

For most visitors listed above, there is no limitation on the number of exemptions, interval between two entries and total duration of stay. That means one can leave China on the expiration day and reenter right after to activate a new duration of stay.

This is not applicable to passport holders of Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, who can stay for at most 90 days every 180 days without a visa; while Byelorussians can stay for at most 90 days each calendar year.

I’m not from the visa-free countries. Is there any other way I can travel to China without a visa?

The easiest way is to take advantage of 144-hour visa-free transit. You can fly from country/region A to China, travel around here for up to 144 hours, and then leave for country/region B. In this case, Hong Kong and Macau are considered as third regions. But only citizens of 54 countries are eligible currently.

See details: China 144-hour Visa-free Transit

There are some more visa-free policies, but with more restrictions on travel documents, travel areas, arrival transport means and more.

See details: How to Travel to China without a Visa

- Last updated on May. 07, 2024 by Brenda Lian -

Questions & Answers on China Visa-free Policy

Asked by Dani from AUSTRIA | May. 12, 2024 01:31

Move freely in China during these 15 days

Hello, I would like to take advantage of the 15-day visa (Austrian passport) and arrive in Shanghai (PVG). Can I also travel from Shanghai to Hainan Island during these 15 days? So can I move freely in China during these 15 days?

Answers (1)

Answered by Rita | May. 12, 2024 22:44

Yes. You are free in Mainland China during the 15 days.

Asked by Katelijn from NETHERLANDS | May. 06, 2024 05:46

Visa on Arrival

With a Netherlands passport I know I do not need a visa. I will bring itinerary and bookings and flight tickets back home. My question is do I need to make any type of application before departure? Some countries even though you will always get a visa still require some form of in advance submission online or at an embassy. Please can you let me know if China requires this? (Arriving by air in Beijing)

Answers (1)

Answered by Keith | May. 08, 2024 00:50

No procedure before you land in China, just remember to take your materials about the itinerary like hotel reservation, flight tickets, or invitation letter ...

Asked by Francesco from ITALY | Apr. 29, 2024 11:13

Outbound Ticket

Hi, I am Italian and flying to Shenzhen next month. I am not sure yet of how long I will want to stay in China. I was planning to stay for 15 days initially with the option to go to Hong Kong and back in case I wanted to stay longer. Do I need to provide an outbound ticket within the 15 days? And would a train ticket to Hong Kong be enough? Thank you!

Answers (1)

Answered by Rita | Apr. 29, 2024 23:41

Yes, you will need a outbound ticket to prove that you won't over stay. And the train ticket is OK, note that you should print out the ticket and hold it in hand for the inspection.

Asked by Shirley Semion from MALAYSIA | Apr. 29, 2024 06:11

I’m Malaysian passport holder, Can I use the train to travel to Guangzhou from Hong Kong?

Answers (1)

Answered by Lora | Apr. 29, 2024 22:50

Yes, you can.

Asked by Ines Cuadrado from UNITED STATES | Apr. 16, 2024 11:11

China visa-free for Spanish citizen living in the US

I am from Spain, and I'm living in the US. Other than my Spanish passport, what others documents do I need to travel to China and I need to prepare in advance?

Answers (1)

Answered by Jennie | Apr. 16, 2024 18:50

You can prepare things about your travel itinerary, flight tickets, hotel reservation or an invitation letter.