Latest! China’s Visa-Free Policies Explained: Who Can Enter Visa-Free?
China has expanded visa-free access to citizens of many countries
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!
Unilateral Visa Exemption Policies
This is currently the most prominent type of visa exemption, primarily aimed at ordinary passport holders visiting China for short-term tourism or business. It generally allows entry without a visa for purposes such as business, tourism, visiting family and friends, and transit, for a specified period.
Visa-free entry stamps at Chinese immigration
As of May 2025, citizens holding ordinary passports from the following countries/regions may enjoy unilateral visa-free entry to China:
Europe:
- France (Up to 15 days)
- Germany (Up to 15 days)
- Italy (Up to 15 days)
- Netherlands (Up to 15 days)
- Spain (Up to 15 days)
- Switzerland (Up to 15 days)
- Ireland (Up to 15 days)
- Hungary (Up to 15 days)
- Austria (Up to 15 days)
- Belgium (Up to 15 days)
- Luxembourg (Up to 15 days)
- Albania (Note: Reciprocal visa exemption agreement might also apply, please verify)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (Note: Reciprocal visa exemption agreement might also apply, please verify)
Asia:
- Malaysia (Up to 15 days)
- Singapore (Up to 30 days – due to mutual visa exemption agreement with China, please verify the specific duration)
- Brunei (Up to 15 days)
- United Arab Emirates (Up to 30 days – due to mutual visa exemption agreement, please verify specific duration)
- Qatar (Note: Reciprocal visa exemption agreement might also apply, please verify)
- Thailand (Permanently mutually visa-free since March 1, 2024, up to 30 days)
Other Countries/Regions:
- Japan (Note: This policy was suspended previously, please MUST verify its current status) – (Originally up to 15 days)
- Ecuador (Note: Reciprocal visa exemption agreement might also apply, please verify)
- Grenada (Note: Reciprocal visa exemption agreement might also apply, please verify)
Important Notes for Unilateral Visa Exemption:
- Duration of Stay: Strictly adhere to the specified number of days, calculated from the day after entry.
- Purpose of Entry: Usually limited to tourism, business, family/friend visits, transit. For activities like work, study, or journalism, a corresponding visa must be obtained in advance.
- Passport Validity: Your passport generally needs to be valid for at least 6 months from your intended date of departure from China.
Countries 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.
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.
Crucial Notes for 72/144-Hour TWOV:
- Your itinerary must be Country A → Chinese Transit Port → Country B. For example, USA → Shanghai → Thailand is eligible. USA → Shanghai → USA is not.
- Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are considered different “regions” from mainland China, so an itinerary like USA → Shanghai → Hong Kong is also eligible.
- The duration of stay is calculated from 00:00 of the day following entry.
- You must enter and exit from designated ports within the same permitted region (e.g., enter through Shanghai, you might be able to exit through Nanjing as they are both in the Yangtze River Delta 144-hour visa-free zone, but specific port regulations must be verified).
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
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.
- 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.
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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