Latest! China’s Visa-Free Policies Explained: Now Extended to 30 Days!
Great News: China has extended the visa-free stay duration for many countries from 15 to 30 days!
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
This article aims to provide information on China’s visa-free policies as of the publication date. Visa policies can change at any time. Before planning your trip and traveling, you MUST verify the latest policies with the official website of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your country/region, or through official channels of China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA).
In recent years, China has continuously expanded its “circle of friends” for visa-free entry, offering unprecedented convenience for international tourists and business travelers! Visa-free entry means less pre-trip preparation, more flexible travel arrangements, and even the possibility of a spontaneous short trip. If you’re considering exploring this ancient yet modern nation, understanding the latest visa-free policies is undoubtedly your first step.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the main visa-free entry policies for China as of May 2025, helping you determine if you qualify and plan your trip with ease!
🚫 Not on the list? If your country is not eligible for visa-free entry, don’t worry. Follow our step-by-step tutorial: A Practical Guide To Applying For A Chinese Visa.
Unilateral Visa Exemption Policies (Major Update!)
🎉 NEW POLICY ALERT: Stay Extended to 30 Days!
Starting from late 2024, China has significantly upgraded its visa-free policy. For citizens of most unilateral visa-free countries (listed below), the allowed stay has been extended from 15 days to 30 days. This allows for much deeper exploration of China!
As of December 2025, citizens holding ordinary passports from the following countries can enter China without a visa for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for up to 30 days (unless otherwise noted).
Eligible Countries List:
🌏 Asia & Oceania:
- South Korea (New!)
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Malaysia (30 days)
- Brunei (15 days – verify latest policy)
- Japan (Policy currently suspended – Check Embassy)
🇪🇺 Europe (Schengen & More):
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Ireland
- Hungary
- Austria
- Belgium
- Luxembourg
🇪🇺 Europe (Expanded List):
- Norway (New!)
- Finland (New!)
- Denmark (New!)
- Iceland (New!)
- Slovakia (New!)
- Poland
- Greece
- Portugal
- Cyprus
- Slovenia
- Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein
📝 Important Rules for Visa-Free Entry:
- Duration: Usually 30 days (reset upon re-entry).
- Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months.
- Proof of Travel: Immigration may ask for a return ticket or hotel booking, though rarely checked strictly for developed nations, it is best to be prepared.
- Extension: Visa-free entry usually cannot be extended within China. You must exit and re-enter.
🌍 Country not listed?
Don’t worry! You can easily check your eligibility and apply for a tourist visa online without visiting an embassy.
👉 Check Visa RequirementsCountries with Mutual Visa Exemption Agreements
Besides the unilateral exemptions above, China has signed mutual visa exemption agreements for ordinary passport holders with several countries. This means citizens of both countries can travel to the other country with a valid passport without a visa for a period specified in the agreement.
China has mutual visa agreements with many countries
Some countries with mutual visa exemption agreements with China include:
- Singapore (Up to 30 days)
- Thailand (Up to 30 days)
- United Arab Emirates
- Qatar
- Maldives
- Belarus
- Serbia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Albania
- Armenia
- Barbados
- Bahamas
- Fiji
- Grenada
- Mauritius
- San Marino
- Seychelles
- Ecuador
- Tonga
- Suriname
- Kazakhstan (Since Nov 2023, up to 30 days)
- Angola (Since Nov 2024, for diplomatic & service passports – Please carefully verify applicability for ordinary passports)
- Georgia (Mutually visa-free since May 28, 2024)
Note: This list is not exhaustive, and agreement details vary. Always confirm with the local Chinese Embassy or Consulate.
Transit Visa Exemption Policies (TWOV)
If you are merely transiting through mainland China en route to a third country or region, you might be eligible for Transit Visa Exemption policies.
24-Hour Direct Transit:
- Eligible Nationalities: Most nationalities.
- Conditions: Must hold a connecting ticket (air, ship, train) with a confirmed date and seat to a third country or region within 24 hours, transiting through designated ports. The stay is usually restricted to the city of the transit port or a designated area.
- Note: Some airports allow leaving the port, while others do not or have specific restricted areas. Please consult your airline or the immigration inspection authority in advance.
24-hour transit without visa is available at most Chinese airports
72/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit:
- Eligible Nationalities: Applicable to 54 countries including the USA, Canada, Schengen Area countries, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, etc.
- Conditions:
- Must be a citizen of one of the 54 eligible countries.
- Hold a valid international travel document (e.g., passport).
- Hold a connecting ticket with a confirmed date and seat to a third country or region within 72/144 hours.
- Enter and exit through ports approved for visa-free transit by the NIA.
✈️ Requirement Check: Confirmed Onward Ticket
To qualify for the 144-hour transit, you must have a booked flight to a third country. Customs will check this before letting you leave the airport.
Permitted Area of Stay:
- 144-Hour: Regions like Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta (Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang), Guangdong Province, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an, Shenyang, Dalian, Qingdao, Xiamen, Kunming, Wuhan, and more. Always check the latest official regulations for specific permitted areas of stay.
- 72-Hour: Cities like Changsha, Guilin, Harbin, etc.
For travelers planning a layover, the rules can be tricky. We have compiled a dedicated guide covering specific ports and itineraries.
⚠️ Critical Rules for 144-Hour Transit (Don’t Break These!)
The 144-hour policy is regional, not national. You cannot travel freely across all of China.
✅ Allowable Travel Zones (Examples):
- The “Jiang-Zhe-Hu” Region (Connected): If you enter via Shanghai, you CAN travel to Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Nanjing (Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces). This is the most popular tourist route.
- The “Jing-Jin-Ji” Region (Connected): If you enter via Beijing, you CAN travel to Tianjin and Hebei Province.
- Guangdong Province: If you enter via Guangzhou, you can travel anywhere within Guangdong province (e.g., Shenzhen).
- Stand-alone Cities: If you enter via Chengdu, you usually must stay within the administrative area of Chengdu (cannot go to nearby mountains outside the limit).
Strict Rule: You must depart from a port within the same permitted region to a third country.
Visa-Free Policies for Specific Regions
Hainan Island Visa-Free Policy:
- Eligible Nationalities: Citizens from 59 countries, including Russia, UK, France, Germany, USA, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Japan, etc.
- Conditions: Enter through an open port in Hainan and stay within the administrative area of Hainan Province for no more than 30 days. Can be received by a travel agency or enter independently. Pre-registration through Hainan’s designated online platform or a travel agency is often required.
Visa-Free Entry for Tour Groups in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area:
- Eligible Nationalities: Foreign citizens from countries with diplomatic relations with China, entering via tour groups organized by legally registered travel agencies in Hong Kong or Macau.
- Conditions: Enter the nine Pearl River Delta cities in Guangdong plus Shantou city from Hong Kong or Macau for tourism, stay for no more than 144 hours (6 days), with activities limited to these cities, and must enter and exit as a group.
ASEAN Tour Groups to Guilin Visa-Free:
- Eligible Nationalities: Tour groups from 10 ASEAN countries (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines).
- Conditions: Organized by nationally approved travel agencies, entering and exiting through Guilin airport port, staying within the administrative area of Guilin for no more than 6 days.
Hainan Island offers 30-day visa-free access for many nationalities
💡 Pro Tip: How to Pay in China (No Cash Needed!)
China is a cashless society. Credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) are accepted at high-end hotels, but for taxis, street food, and subway rides, you need mobile payment. The good news? It is now very easy for foreigners!
Option 1: Alipay (Recommended)
- Download the Alipay app.
- Sign up with your international phone number.
- Tap “Add Bank Card” and link your Visa, Mastercard, or Amex.
- You can now scan QR codes to pay anywhere!
Option 2: WeChat Pay
- Download WeChat.
- Go to “Me” -> “Services” -> “Wallet”.
- Link your international credit card.
- Note: WeChat sometimes requires stricter identity verification than Alipay.
Note: For transactions under 200 RMB (approx. $28 USD), transaction fees are usually waived for international cards!
🛠️ Essential Setup for Mobile Payment
- Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Link Your International Credit Card to Alipay/WeChat Pay
- Don’t Forget Internet: You need data to pay! Check out our guide on eSIM Cards in China or Buying a Local SIM Card.
General Important Considerations for All Visa-Free Travel
- Passport Validity: Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your intended date of departure from China.
- Accommodation Registration: Within 24 hours of arrival in China, you must register your temporary residence. If staying in a hotel, they will usually handle this. If staying with friends or family, you (or your host) need to go to the local police station to register.⚠️ Important Safety Tip:
To ensure your Accommodation Registration Form is processed correctly (crucial for visa-free entry), I strongly recommend booking established hotels that accept foreigners.
👉 Find Foreigner-Friendly Hotels on Trip.com - Abide by Laws: Strictly abide by Chinese laws and regulations during your stay in China.
- No Overstaying: Do not overstay the visa-free period allowed. Overstaying will result in penalties.
- Entry Not Guaranteed: Even if you meet visa-free conditions, Chinese immigration officials have the final say on whether you can enter.
- Travel to Restricted Areas: Visa-free entry does not mean you can freely travel to all areas of China. For example, the Tibet Autonomous Region typically requires additional travel permits.
🛬 Arriving in China: Besides visa status, ensure you are compliant with customs regulations to ensure a smooth entry.
How to Verify the Latest Information?
Given the dynamic nature of visa policies, the most reliable sources of information are always:
- The official website of the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your country/region.
- The official website of China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) or its official inquiry channels.
Verifying before planning your trip will ensure a smooth and worry-free journey.
China is welcoming global visitors with an increasingly open stance. We hope this visa-free policy guide provides valuable reference for your trip to China! Wishing you a pleasant journey and wonderful memories in China!
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