Planning a trip to China but confused by the visa rules?
You’re not alone. China’s visa-free policy has been updated several times in recent years, and the information online can feel overwhelming or outdated.
In this guide, we break down the current visa-free entry policy in plain language — who can enter without a visa, how long you can stay, and the most common questions travelers ask before coming to China.
Q: Who do China’s unilateral visa-free policies apply to?
A: Nationals of 48 countries, if holding valid ordinary passports, can be exempted from visa requirements if entering China for the purpose of business, tourism, family and friends visits, exchange or transit. They can stay in China for no more than 30 days without a visa.
The countries covered are Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Uruguay.
Q: Does a foreign national eligible for the visa waiver need to make declarations to a Chinese embassy or consulate in advance?
A: Foreign nationals eligible for the visa waiver do not need to declare in advance to Chinese embassies and consulates before entering China without a visa.
Q: Will my purpose of stay in China be examined by an immigration inspection authority when I enter China? How will it be done? Are other documents needed for entering China in addition to a passport?
A: For foreign nationals entering China for purposes of business, tourism, family and friends visits, exchange and transit, if meeting the visa waiver requirements, they can be allowed to enter China without a visa upon examination and approval by immigration inspection authorities in accordance with laws.
For foreign nationals who travel for purposes that do not meet the visa waiver requirements or who are not allowed to enter China in accordance with laws and regulations, their entry into China shall be denied by immigration inspection authorities in accordance with laws.
It is recommended to bring documents such as invitation letter(s), flight ticket(s) and hotel reservation record(s) as proof corresponding to the purpose(s) of entry into China.
The visa waiver does not apply to those who come to China for working, studying, news coverage or other purposes that require visas.
Q: Is there any additional requirement for minors eligible for the visa waiver?
A: The visa waiver requirements for minors are the same as those for adults.
Q: Is there any requirement on the types and validity periods of entry documents?
A: For a foreign national, an ordinary passport valid for at least the duration of the intended stay in China is needed. Holders of travel documents or temporary/emergency documents other than ordinary passports are not allowed to enter China without a visa.
Q: How to calculate the duration of stay (30 days)?
A: The duration of a visa-free stay is calculated starting from the day following the day of entry and lasts continuously for 30 calendar days.
Q: Does the visa waiver apply to foreign nationals who travel from a third country?
A: Eligible foreign nationals can depart for China from any country or region.
Q: Does the visa waiver apply to foreign nationals who travel by forms of transport other than aviation?
A: The unilateral visa waiver policies apply to all eligible foreign nationals coming to China through all seaports, road ports and airports nationwide while China has other regional policies and circumstances where laws, regulations and bilateral arrangements specify otherwise.
For arrivals in China by private transport means, certain procedures for entry and exit of the vehicles concerned shall be completed in accordance with relevant laws and regulations of China.
Q: Does the visa waiver apply to tour groups?
A: The visa waiver applies to eligible foreign nationals, including those entering as part of tour groups.
Q: If the length of the intended stay exceeds 30 days, can the visa waiver period be extended as well?
A: For any foreign national planning to stay in China for over 30 days, he/she shall apply for a visa corresponding to his/her purpose of stay in advance at a Chinese embassy or consulate.
For any foreign national who has stayed longer than 30 days for appropriate and sufficient reasons after entering China without a visa, he/she shall apply for a stay permit at an exit-entry administration department of a public security authority of China.
Q: Does the visa waiver allow multiple entries? Is there any requirement on the length of intervals between each entry or any restriction on the number of visa-free entries or total days of visa-free stays?
A: Foreign nationals eligible for the visa waiver can enter China without a visa multiple times. Currently, there is no restriction on the number of entries or total length of stay periods. However, visa-free travelers in China shall not engage in activities inconsistent with their purposes of entry.
