China Visa-free Policy
China visa-free policy has been effective on citizens of 6 more countries, including Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg from March 14, 2024 on and will be effective till November 30, 2024. During the time period, they can travel around in China without a visa 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 to November 30, 2024, 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 has been eligible for China visa-free policy from March 14 to November 30, 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.
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
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 TransitThere 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 Apr. 16, 2024 by Brenda Lian -
Questions & Answers on China Visa-free Policy
Asked by Ines Cuadrado from UNITED STATES | Apr. 16, 2024 11:11
Reply
ReplyChina 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
0
0Reply
00ReplyYou can prepare things about your travel itinerary, flight tickets, hotel reservation or an invitation letter.
Asked by Natalie from UNITED KINGDOM | Apr. 15, 2024 10:01Reply
ReplyIs my route eligible for 144 hrs visa free transit
My family and I will be flying from London UK to Hong Kong and then on the return back to London UK we will have a stopover in Beijing for 4 nights.
The route we would like to use the 144 hours visa-free transit to enter Beijing is:
- Hong Kong to Beijing, Beijing to London.
Would you be able to confirm whether this route would be eligible for the 144 hours visa free transit?
Is Hong Kong considered to be a third country/region?
4 of us hold British passports and 1 of us holds a German passport.
Many thanks
The route we would like to use the 144 hours visa-free transit to enter Beijing is:
- Hong Kong to Beijing, Beijing to London.
Would you be able to confirm whether this route would be eligible for the 144 hours visa free transit?
Is Hong Kong considered to be a third country/region?
4 of us hold British passports and 1 of us holds a German passport.
Many thanks
Answers (1)
Answered by Jennie | Apr. 16, 2024 02:0800Reply
00ReplyYes. The route is eligible for the 144 hours visa free transit. And HK is considered the third region. All of you can enjoy the 144 hours visa free transit.
Asked by cristina from ITALY | Apr. 13, 2024 09:29Reply
Replyvisa-free policy for italians
Hello,
I'd like to know if it's possible to visit China for up to 15 days, then go to Hong Kong and be back for another 10 days still with the exemption of a visa.
Thank you
I'd like to know if it's possible to visit China for up to 15 days, then go to Hong Kong and be back for another 10 days still with the exemption of a visa.
Thank you
Answers (1)
Answered by Gabby | Apr. 15, 2024 02:3800Reply
00ReplyYes, you can. No limit on the number of entries.
Asked by May Chan from MALAYSIA | Apr. 06, 2024 09:20Reply
ReplyChina Visa for Malaysian (tourism)
I'm Malaysian, I will be travelling to Shanghai, China for holidays.
Does the 15-day China visa-free policy for Malaysians begin counting from the entry point of Macau or Shanghai in my case? If it commences from Macau, does this mean I must obtain a visa to extend my stay beyond 15 days?
Do I need a visa for our trip to China for the specified duration?
From To |Departure |Arrival
KLIA Macau |2024-06-26, 18:40 |2024-06-26, 22:40
Macau Shanghai |2024-06-27, 13:20 |2024-06-27, 15:40
Shanghai Macau |2024-07-11, 20:55 |2024-07-11, 23:40
Macau KLIA |2024-07-12, 13:50 |2024-07-12, 17:40
Does the 15-day China visa-free policy for Malaysians begin counting from the entry point of Macau or Shanghai in my case? If it commences from Macau, does this mean I must obtain a visa to extend my stay beyond 15 days?
Do I need a visa for our trip to China for the specified duration?
From To |Departure |Arrival
KLIA Macau |2024-06-26, 18:40 |2024-06-26, 22:40
Macau Shanghai |2024-06-27, 13:20 |2024-06-27, 15:40
Shanghai Macau |2024-07-11, 20:55 |2024-07-11, 23:40
Macau KLIA |2024-07-12, 13:50 |2024-07-12, 17:40
Answers (1)
Answered by Rita | Apr. 08, 2024 02:3100Reply
00ReplyIt is counted from the entry point of Shanghai. And you don’t need a visa as you will leave Shanghai on 2024-07-11 and stay in Mainland China for less than 15 days.
Asked by Helen Ennekens from BELGIUM | Mar. 13, 2024 02:41Reply
ReplyVisa-free Policy to Citizens of Belgium
I shall arrive in Chengdu from Belgium on Monday 11 Nov 2024 at 06.55 and return home on Tuesday 26 Nov 2024 at 01.35. Catching the next available flight.
Does day 1 start on the day after arrival? It is not clear to me. (11 Nov plus 15 days = 26 Nov)
Do I need a visa for this holiday trip?
Does day 1 start on the day after arrival? It is not clear to me. (11 Nov plus 15 days = 26 Nov)
Do I need a visa for this holiday trip?
Answers (2)
Answered by | Mar. 21, 2024 01:2400Reply
00ReplyDay 1 starts on the day of arrival. To take advantage of the visa-free policy, you need to leave before 24:00 of November 25. Otherwise, you need to apply for a visa in advance.
Answered by Alex | Apr. 09, 2024 00:5600Reply
00ReplyActually it seems from my experience that day of entry doesn't count. I learned this two days ago re-entering mainland China from Hong Kong on a German passport. Passing through the border checks at Kowloon Station on the 7th April, I heard a computer voice declare: "You may stay on this entry until April 22nd". So 7th April must be Day Zero, 8th April Day 1, and therefore Day 15 is April 22nd. Incidentally, I'd already been in mainland China for eleven days before going to Hong Kong, so can confirm leaving resets your visa-free allowance.