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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. Citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, News Zealand, Australia, Poland and more have been eligible for 30-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
 
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. 
 

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. 

There 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

 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. 31, 2024 by Brenda Lian -