Chinatodo
Welcome, travelers! Whether you're planning a short trip or a pleasant layover in China, you've come to the right place. Our Comprehensive China Visa-Free Travel Guide is designed for passport holders seeking hassle-free entry into China. Explore various visa exemption options, understand how China has streamlined its entry policies, and embark on your adventure without the need for a visa. Make your journey to China smooth and enjoyable with our detailed insights and practical tips.
Table of Contents
China's Visa Exemption Policies
China's Visa Exemption Policies allow travelers from selected countries to enter China without obtaining a visa for short-term stays. These policies aim to simplify the entry process for tourists, business visitors, and others, fostering increased travel and collaboration.
Visa-Exempt Countries
Ordinary passport holders from the following countries are eligible to enter China without a visa, provided their visit does not exceed the designated visa-free duration listed below.
| Visa-Exempt Countries | |
|---|---|
| 90 Days | 🇦🇱 Albania 🇦🇲 Armenia 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇸🇲 San Marino |
| 60 Days | 🇲🇺 Mauritius |
| 30 Days Permanent Policy |
🇹🇭 Thailand 🇸🇬 Singapore 🇲🇻 Maldives 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates 🇧🇧 Barbados 🇧🇸 Bahamas 🇧🇾 Belarus 🇩🇲 Dominica 🇪🇨 Ecuador 🇫🇯 Fiji 🇬🇩 Grenada 🇶🇦 Qatar 🇷🇸 Serbia 🇸🇨 Seychelles 🇸🇷 Suriname 🇹🇴 Tonga 🇬🇪 Georgia 🇧🇳 Brunei 🇲🇳 Mongolia |
| 30 Days Valid Until Dec 31, 2025 |
🇫🇷 France 🇩🇪 Germany 🇮🇹 Italy 🇳🇱 Netherlands 🇪🇸 Spain 🇲🇾 Malaysia 🇨🇭 Switzerland 🇮🇪 Ireland 🇭🇺 Hungary 🇦🇹 Austria 🇧🇪 Belgium 🇱🇺 Luxembourg 🇦🇺 Australia 🇳🇿 New Zealand 🇵🇱 Poland 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇬🇷 Greece 🇨🇾 Cyprus 🇸🇮 Slovenia 🇸🇰 Slovakia 🇳🇴 Norway 🇫🇮 Finland 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇮🇸 Iceland 🇦🇩 Andorra 🇲🇨 Monaco 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein 🇰🇷 South Korea 🇧🇬 Bulgaria 🇷🇴 Romania 🇲🇹 Malta 🇭🇷 Croatia 🇲🇪 Montenegro 🇲🇰 North Macedonia 🇪🇪 Estonia 🇱🇻 Latvia 🇯🇵 Japan |
Entry Process
1
Complete the Entry Card
Upon arrival at the airport, obtain and fill out the entry card with your personal information, including name, passport number, flight details, purpose of visit, and address of stay. Ensure you select the visa-free option.
2
Fingerprint Collection
Use the self-service kiosk to submit your fingerprints and print the receipt. If you have previously provided fingerprints, you can simply print the receipt.
3
Customs Clearance
Present your passport and completed entry card to the customs officer. Answer any questions they may have and confirm the permitted duration of stay.
4
Baggage Claim
After clearing customs, follow the signs to the baggage claim area to collect your luggage and complete the entry process.
China's Visa-Free Transit Policies
China offers visa-free transit for eligible travelers from select countries, allowing stays of up to 240 hours (10 days) when traveling to a third country or region. With the recent expansion of the visa-free policy, travelers can now enter through any of 60 open ports across 24 provinces, making it a great opportunity to explore China during a short stopover without the need for a visa.
| Eligible countries for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy include: |
| 🇦🇱 Albania, 🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇾 Belarus, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇧🇳 Brunei, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇨🇱 Chile, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇸 Iceland, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇱🇻 Latvia, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇲🇹 Malta, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇲🇨 Monaco, 🇲🇪 Montenegro, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇲🇰 North Macedonia, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇶🇦 Qatar, 🇰🇷 Republic of Korea, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇷🇸 Serbia, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇺🇦 Ukraine, 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States. |
List of ports and allowed areas for visa-free transit travelers under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, please refer to: Visa-Free Transit Policies for Foreign Nationals
Required Documents for Transit
A valid passport issued by one of the 54 eligible countries.
Visa for the third country or region you are traveling to.
Confirmed onward tickets to a third country or region within the specified time frame.
Visa-Free Transit Entry Process
Upon arrival, fill out an entry information card with your personal details, purpose of visit, and duration of stay.
Submit your passport, entry card, and confirmed onward ticket to the border inspection authorities.
Answer any questions from the officers truthfully. They will review your application and decide on granting temporary entry permission.
Once approved, you will receive a temporary entry permit and an entry stamp indicating your allowed duration of stay.
Important Considerations During Transit
Do not exceed the maximum duration of your visa-free stay. If an extension is needed due to unforeseen circumstances, apply for the appropriate permit at the local public security bureau.
Hotels will handle accommodation registration for you. If staying elsewhere, ensure you or your host register with the local public security bureau within 24 hours of arrival.
Stay within the designated areas permitted by your temporary entry permit. Unauthorized travel beyond these areas or overstaying can lead to legal consequences and affect future visa applications.
Transit Departure Process
Prepare your passport, temporary entry permit, and any other relevant documents.
Prepare your passport, temporary entry permit, and any other relevant documents.
At departure, present your documents to the border inspection officers, undergo inspection, and return your temporary entry permit.
After verification, complete the departure procedures and leave China.
FAQs
No, eligible foreigners do not need to pre-register with Chinese embassies or consulates before traveling to China under the visa-free policy.
Yes, Chinese border control authorities will verify the purpose of your visit. While a passport is mandatory, it's advisable to carry supporting documents such as invitation letters, flight tickets, and hotel reservations to facilitate the entry process. Note that individuals traveling for work, study, or journalism do not qualify for visa-free entry.
Minors must meet the same conditions as adults to enter China under the visa-free policy. Ensure that they have a valid passport and any necessary supporting documents.
Travelers must hold a valid ordinary passport with at least six months of validity remaining from the date of entry into China. Ensure your passport has sufficient blank pages for entry stamps and other necessary records.
The 15-day stay period starts from the day you enter China and ends at midnight on the 15th calendar day.
Yes, eligible travelers can depart from any country or region outside of China while under the visa-free policy.
Yes, the visa-free policy applies to all entry points by land, sea, and air, unless otherwise specified by Chinese laws, regulations, or bilateral agreements.
Yes, both individuals and members of tour groups are eligible for visa-free entry to China, provided they meet the necessary conditions.
No, you cannot extend your visa-free stay beyond the allowed period. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for an appropriate visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate before your current stay expires.
Yes, eligible travelers may enter China multiple times under the visa-free policy. Currently, there are no restrictions on the number of entries or total stay days, but you must adhere to the purpose of your visit and not engage in activities that violate the visa-free terms.
