China Visa-free Policy
Update 1: From November 30, 2024, a 30-day visa-free policy has been implemented for most European countries and Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Japan, Singapore, UAE ... At present, citizens from 64 countries can enter China visa-free. Update 2: China has upgraded the original 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit to 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit for 54 countries including the UK, the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil … Also, the travel scope has been widen to 24 provinces of China and crossing provincial boundaries is allowed.China becomes more and more generous in allowing visa-free travel within its territory. The visa-free duration of stay for 38 countries has been extended from 15 days to 30 days. Since last year, citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, News Zealand, Australia and Poland have been eligible for 15-day visa-free travel policy successively. By now, the allowed nationalities who can travel to China without a visa have been increased to 64. Hopefully, we conjecture that the policy will be adopted among more and more foreign citizens.
Who are eligible for China visa-free policy?
Oceania
| Nationality | Duration of Stay |
|---|---|
| Australia | 30 days |
| Fiji | 30 days |
| New Zealand | 30 days |
| Tonga | 30 days |
| Solomon Islands | 30 days |
Europe
| Nationality | Duration of Stay |
|---|---|
| Albania | 30 days |
| Andorra | 30 days |
| Austria | 30 days |
| Belarus | 30 days for each entry; 90 days each calendar year |
| Belgium | 30 days |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 90 days every 180 days |
| Bulgaria | 30 days |
| Croatia | 30 days |
| Cyprus | 30 days |
| Denmark | 30 days |
| Estonia | 30 days |
| France | 30 days |
| Finland | 30 days |
| Germany | 30 days |
| Greece | 30 days |
| Hungary | 30 days |
| Iceland | 30 days |
| Ireland | 30 days |
| Italy | 30 days |
| Latvia | 30 days |
| Liechtenstein | 30 days |
| Luxembourg | 30 days |
| Malta | 30 days |
| Monaco | 30 days |
| Montenegro | 30 days |
| North Macedonia | 30 days |
| Norway | 30 days |
| Netherlands | 30 days |
| Poland | 30 days |
| Portugal | 30 days |
| Romania | 30 days |
| San Marino | 3 months |
| Serbia | 30 days |
| Slovakia | 30 days |
| Slovenia | 30 days |
| Spain | 30 days |
| Switzerland | 30 days |
Asia
| Nationality | Duration of Stay |
|---|---|
| Armenia | 90 days every 180 days |
| Azerbaijan | 30 days for tour groups |
| Brunei | 30 days |
| Gerogia | 30 days |
| Japan | 30 days |
| Kazakhstan | 30 days for each entry; 90 days every 180 days |
| Maldives | 30 days |
| Malaysia | 30 days |
| Qatar | 30 days |
| Singapore | 30 days |
| South Korea | 30 days |
| Thailand | 30 days for each entry; 90 days every 180 days |
| UAE | 30 days |
The Americas
| Nationality | Duration of Stay |
|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | 30 days |
| Barbados | 30 days |
| Dominica | 30 days |
| Grenada | 30 days |
| Ecuador | 30 days |
| Surinam | 30 days |
| The Bahamas | 30 days |
Africa
| Nationality | Duration of Stay |
|---|---|
| Mauritius | 30 days |
| Seychelles | 30 days |
Recommended Tours
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.
See details: China 240-hour Visa-free Transit
There are some more visa-free policies for specific travel areas and nationalities:
See details: How to Travel to China without a Visa
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 240-hour visa-free transit. You can fly from country/region A to 24 provinces of China, travel around here for up to 240 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 240-hour Visa-free Transit
There are some more visa-free policies for specific travel areas:
See details: How to Travel to China without a Visa
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.
Supplementary 240-Hour Visa Free Transit for 54 Countries including the US, the UK, Canada ...
If you are not from the visa-free countries, there is the supplementary 240-hour visa-free transit for 54 countries to avoid visa application. You can fly from country/region A to 24 provinces, regions and municipalities of China, travel around here for up to 240 hours, and then leave for country/region B. In this case, Hong Kong and Macau are considered as third regions.
See details: China 240-hour Visa-free TransitThere are some more visa-free policies for specific travel areas and nationalities:
See details: How to Travel to China without a Visa FAQs on China Visa-free Policy
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 240-hour visa-free transit. You can fly from country/region A to 24 provinces of China, travel around here for up to 240 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 240-hour Visa-free TransitThere are some more visa-free policies for specific travel areas:
See details: How to Travel to China without a Visa 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.
- Last updated on Dec. 19, 2024 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on China Visa-free Policy
Asked by TS from SWEDEN | Dec. 19, 2024 05:31
Reply
ReplyDual citizenship and visa
I am a citizen of both Finland and Sweden and have passports for both countries. If I travel on my Finnish passport, is it correct that I am then eligible to stay for 30 days under the visa-free policy?
Answers (1)
Answered by Janice | Dec. 19, 2024 19:10
0
0Reply
00ReplyYes, you are right！
Asked by Freerk from NETHERLANDS | Nov. 22, 2024 04:32Reply
ReplyTransit with passport that is valid for 5 more months
Hi,
I will be travelling the following route with a Dutch passport valid until May 2025:
Dec 2 JED-CAN arrive 15.30 in China with Saudia
Dec 2 CAN-HGH China Eastern
Dec 2 HGH-XMN Xiamen Airlines
Dec 3 XMN-CGK leaving 8.20 from China Xiamen Airlines
If I understand correctly I will not need a visa / 24h TWOV as the travel will be completed before the validity of my passport runs out.
Is my understanding correct? If not, what should I apply for at arrival?
Thank you for your help
I will be travelling the following route with a Dutch passport valid until May 2025:
Dec 2 JED-CAN arrive 15.30 in China with Saudia
Dec 2 CAN-HGH China Eastern
Dec 2 HGH-XMN Xiamen Airlines
Dec 3 XMN-CGK leaving 8.20 from China Xiamen Airlines
If I understand correctly I will not need a visa / 24h TWOV as the travel will be completed before the validity of my passport runs out.
Is my understanding correct? If not, what should I apply for at arrival?
Thank you for your help
Answers (1)
Answered by Keith | Nov. 24, 2024 19:5910Reply
10ReplyYou do not need a visa but the real reason is that China grants Citizens from Netherlands 30-day visa free entry.
Asked by Joao from PORTUGAL | Oct. 13, 2024 21:37Reply
Reply15 Day Vs 144
I am headed to China for Canton Fair and was initially going to be forced to arrive from one country and leave to another country after - also limited to arrival ports. But with the 15 day visa, sounds like I can arrive, attend the fair, travel around China and head back to my original destination. Is this right please? Portuguese Passport holder here
Answers (3)
Answered by Lori | Oct. 14, 2024 19:2100Reply
00ReplyYou are right. Portuguese passport holders enjoy 15-day visa free entry to China now.
Answered by Joao | Oct. 14, 2024 22:3300Reply
00ReplyThanks for coming back Lori. The different options are a bit convoluted. So to be clear, on the 15 day visa, we can come in from any port (sea, air, train) and leave out of any port and there is no paperwork beyond the passport required? And also we aren't restricted to staying in just one region?
Answered by lori | Oct. 16, 2024 19:0100Reply
00ReplyYou are not restricted in Mainland China and you can enter or exit via any open port. But you need to provide the ticket to leave Mainland China and hotel reservation in China.
Asked by Tracy from AUSTRALIA | Oct. 05, 2024 00:24Reply
ReplyVisa extension via detouring to Hong Kong or Macau
With the 15 days visa free policy for Australian passport holders, if I leave mainland China for Hong Kong or Macau towards the end of 15 days, then enter again from Hong Kong or Macau, do I start another 15 visa free days? I guess my question is: Is Hong Kong / Macau considered outside of China in this case? Thanks.
Answers (1)
Answered by Lori | Oct. 09, 2024 02:3900Reply
00ReplyYou can get another 15 days if doing so. HK and Macau don't belong to Mainland China so going to the two will be considered an exit.