China has introduced a number of visa-free policies to allow foreign nationals from a wide range of countries to travel to China without a visa. These include unilateral visa-free policy, mutual visa exemption, visa-free transit, and visa-free short stays to entire Mainland China and certain regions. In this article, we cover all of China’s visa exemption policies that are currently in place and explain who can and how to benefit from them.
1. 30-Day Visa-Free Policy
On November 22, 2024, China announced the extension of its unilateral visa-free policy to nine more countries. That brings the total to 38 countries (Countries unilaterally granted visa-free access by China). The country also decided to expand the visa-free stay duration from the previous 15 days to 30 days, and include exchange visits as a visa-free entry purpose. The new 30-day visa-free policy will be valid until December 31, 2025.
That’s to say, ordinary passport holders of the 38 countries can enter China and stay for up to 30 days without a Chinese visa for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit purposes. Those who do not meet the visa-free conditions still need to obtain China visas before entering.
The 38 countries unilaterally granted visa-free access by China include:
- Europe (32): Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland
- Asia (4): Brunei, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea
- Oceania (2): Australia, New Zealand
Countries with mutual visa exemption agreements with China:
The 30-day visa-free stay also works for countries that have signed mutual visa exemption agreements with China, including Singapore, Thailand, the UAE, and more. And there is no time limit on the 30 days visa-free policy for these countries. A visa or application will still be needed to stay more than 30 days or for activities such as studying, residing, and working.
- 13 Days Essence China Tour with Yangtze River Cruise
- 8 Days Beijing – Xian – Shanghai Highlights Tour
- 2-Week China Tour with Zhangjiajie & Guilin Landscapes
2. 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in China: Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou…
As of July in 2024, China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) has expanded the 144-hour visa-free transit policy to its 37 exit-entry ports. The 144-hour visa-free transit policy applies to citizens of 54 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and others, as long as they meet certain requirements:
- Hold valid international travel documents (passport or equivalent) that are valid for no less than three months, and meet the entry requirements for their destination country or region.
- Possess a confirmed connecting ticket for flights, trains, and ships to a third country or region within 144 hours after having arrived in China.
How to apply
The following process is for your reference, the exact process may slight vary at different ports.
- Fill out the “Temporary Entry Card for Foreign National” at the entry port upon arrival;
- Submit your application at the temporary entry permit issuance area;
- Submit your valid international travel document, temporary entry card, and onward flight tickets to the third country or region (either paper or electronic form).
- Wait for review and approval
How to calculate the 144-hour visa-free transit period?
It does not begin from the moment of entry. Actually, the visa-free transit period starts at midnight on the day following your entry and ends at 24:00 on the 6th day.
Cities offer the 144-hour visa-free transit policy:
Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang and Qinhuangdao in Hebei, Shenyang and Dalian in Liaoning, Shanghai, Nanjing and Lianyungang in Jiangsu, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou, and Zhoushan in Zhejiang, Zhengzhou in Henan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Jieyang in Guangdong, Qingdao in Shandong, Chongqing, Chengdu in Sichuan, Xi’an in Shaanxi, Xiamen in Fujian, Wuhan in Hubei, Kunming, Lijiang, and Xishuangbanna in Yunnan.
Each exit-entry port has its designated permitted areas for visa-free stay
During their stay periods, people can only travel, engage in business activities and other short-term activities in the city and its designated visa-free area before their international transit. Get to our 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit policy page for more detailed information.
Recommended China Visa-free Tours for your 144-hour visa-free stay:
- 6 Days Shanghai-Suzhou-Hangzhou Tour with Tongli Water Town
- 5 Days Classic Shanghai Tour with Suzhou and Hangzhou
- 4 Days Beijing Essence Tour
- 3 Days Beijing Package Tour: City Highlights & Great Wall
- 4 Days Chengdu Tour with Giant Panda and Leshan Giant Buddha
- 3 Days Xian Private Trip: History Exploration & Tang Costume Experience
3. 72-Hour Visa-free Transit: Offered in Guilin, Harbin, Changsha
Currently, the 72-hour visa-free transit policy is offered at four airports in Changsha, Harbin, Guilin and Beihai, for citizens from 54 countries (including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore, etc. )
To qualify for the 72-hour visa-free stay, you need to hold valid international travel documents and a confirmed onward ticket to the third country or region.
Recommended China Tours for your 72-hour visa-free stay:
- 3 Days Harbin Family Tour to Ice & Snow Festival and Volga Manor
- 2 Days Harbin City Tour with Ice and Snow Festival
- 3 Days Guilin & Yangshuo Tour
- 2 Days Guilin Sightseeing Tour
- 3 Days Beihai and Weizhou Island Beach Tour
4. 24-Hour Visa-free Transit
Currently, China has implemented a 24-hour visa-free transit policy at all its accessible exit-entry ports for foreign citizens from countries around the world.
Similar to the 72-hour and 144-hour visa-free transit policies, people need to hold valid international travel documents and a confirmed onward ticket to the third country or region to qualify for the 24-hour visa-free transit policy.
Recommended tours for 24-hour visa-free stay:
- Xian Downtown and Muslim Quarter Food Tour
- Half Day Xian Terracotta Warriors Tour
- Shanghai Highlight Day Tour
- One Day Old Beijing City Tour
- One Day Chengdu Panda Tour
5. 15-Day Visa-free Policy for Cruise Groups: Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Xiamen, Guangzhou…
On May 15, 2024, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) officially announced to implement a visa-free policy for foreign tourist groups (with 2 or more people) to enter China by cruise at 13 cruise ports along its coast. Requirements for the visa-free policy are as below:
- The foreign tourist group must comprise two or more individuals.
- Continue on the same cruise ship to the next port until the cruise departs from China.
- Stay in the permitted areas (coastal provinces, municipalities, and Beijing) for no more than 15 days.
- The tourist group should be received by a Chinese domestic travel agency.
Permitted areas that can be visited include:
During the visa-free stay, the tourist group can travel and engage in other short-term activities in the coastal provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) and Beijing. Below are the 13 cruise ports and the coastal provinces they are located in:
- Tianjin
- Dalian (Liaoning Province)
- Shanghai
- Lianyungang (Jiangsu Province)
- Wenzhou (Zhejiang Province)
- Zhoushan (Zhejiang Province)
- Xiamen (Fujian Province)
- Qingdao (Shandong)
- Guangzhou(Guangdong)
- Shenzhen (Guangdong)
- Beihai (Guangxi)
- Haikou (Hainan)
- Sanya (Hainan)
6. Hainan 30-day Visa-free Entry Policy
As of February 9th, 2024, ordinary passport holders of 59 countries can enter Hainan Province visa-free for up to 30 days. The 59 visa-free eligible countries include the United States, Canada, Sweden, the Philippines, Indonesia, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Australia, etc.
Entry purposes for the Hainan visa-free policy include travel, business, visiting relatives, medical treatment, attending exhibitions, or participating in sports competitions. Eligible foreign citizens can enter Hainan Island from any of its open ports. Previously, the policy was only applicable to tour groups. From March 15, 2023, it was expanded to individual travel.
Recommended Hainan Tours for Visa-free Stay:
- 6 Days Haikou and Sanya Tour in Hainan
- 3 Days Sanya Beach Resort and Cultural Experience Private Tour
7. Hainan 144-hour Visa-free Policy for Tour Groups from Hong Kong and Macau
From July 30, 2024, Hainan implemented a 144-hour visa-free policy for foreign tour groups from Hong Kong and Macao. The policy applies to ordinary passport holders of countries with diplomatic relations with China. Key points and requirements for the policy are as below:
- Entry conditions: Travel to Hainan from Hong Kong or Macau, and book a group tour of at least two persons from an accredited travel agency in Hong Kong or Macau. Must enter and exit as a group.
- The visa-free stay duration can not exceed 144 hours (calculated from 00:00 the day after your entry).
- You can also follow other visa-free agreements or policies with China if you meet them.
8. 144-hour Visa-free Policy for ASEAN Tour Groups to Guilin
This 6-hour visa-free policy to Guilin is valid for citizens from the 10 ASEAN countries, which are Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines. Key points for the policy include:
- You’ll need to join a group tour of at least two individuals with a registered Guilin travel agency.
- The visa-free stay duration is up to six days (144 hours).
- The permitted area for the group’s activities is in Guilin City.
- You must enter and exit as a group.
9. Pearl River Delta 6-Day Visa Exemptions for Tour Groups from Hong Kong and Macau
The 6-day visa exemption implemented in the Pearl River Delta is valid for ordinary passport holders of countries with diplomatic relations with China. To qualify for the policy, you’ll need:
- Entry conditions: Travel to the nine cities of the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong or Macau on a tourist group from a registered travel agency in any of the two SARs.
- Visa-free stay duration: No more than six days (144 hours).
- Permitted areas for the group’s activities: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, and Huizhou
- Must enter and exit as a group.
10. China Visa-free Entry for APEC Business Travel Card Holders
Foreign nationals holding an APEC Business Travel Card or APEC Virtual Card can enter and stay in China without a visa for up to 60 days. But if the validity of your APEC card is less than 60 days, you’ll need to leave China before it expires. Within its validity period (five years), the holders can enter China visa-free for multiple times.
By holding the APEC card, your visa-free stay primarily applies to short-term activities with no income or compensation, such as business negotiations, market research, signing contracts for investment, unpaid after-sales services, technical exchanges and support, and similar activities. It is not intended for tourism, visiting relatives or friends, medical treatment, or other non-business purposes.
11. Visa-free Entry for Residence Permit Holders
Foreign nationals holding residence permits issued by Chinese public security organs can stay in China within the permit’s validity and enter and exit China without a visa as many times as they wish. Resident foreign journalists and foreign nationals who come to China for work, study, employment, family reunification, or long-term visits are required to apply for a residence permit upon their first entry.
