China Visa-Free Entry: New Rules

China Visa-Free Entry Quicklinks

30-day China Visa-Free Entry
China Visa-Free Entry For Countries With Bilateral Agreements
The 240-hour Visa Free Stopover

More than one protocol may apply to your circumstances. Regardless, make sure your passport validity will be a minimum of 6 months from date of arrival.

30 Day China Visa-Free Entry

Please note that China visa-free entry or transit rules change frequently. The information provided on this site is for the purpose of providing general information, and do not take the place of, or constitute professional or legal advice on any subject matter. It is recommended that you consult the Chinese embassy or consulate of your home country, the China National Immigration Administration and/or the airline or cruise line you will be boarding before traveling. You are responsible for deciding how to use any information you read on this site, and for seeking further professional advice as you see fit.

China Visa rules have eased considerably since 2024. Now in effect and for the remainder of the year (expected to be renewed anually), passport holders from the following countries are able to enter China without the need of a visa for up to 30 days: Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Russia, Sweden, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

For the latest list of countries and latest news: Ministry of Foreign Affars Website

We recently entered using this exemption and was very straight-forward and totally uncomplicated. Prior to boarding, the airline will check that you have your return ticket within the 30 days.

Upon arrival in China, you simply fill out the Arrival card with the usual personal and travel information, and on the section for visa, check the little "visa-free" box:

You can also do this ahead of time before you land by filling out the Online Arrival Card.

China Visa-Free Entry For Countries With Bilateral Agreements

In addition to the above exemptions, citizens holding ordinary passports from countries with bilateral agreements or protocols can also visit China without the need of a visa.

For the latest list of countries you can visit the official site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/

The 240-hour Visa Free Stopover

Passengers from 55 countries are allowed to enter China visa free for 240 hours when arriving at a designated airport, port or railway station (see list below) and are "in transit" to a third destination. There are many limitations and requirements, so please pay attention and make sure you meet ALL of them.

Who does it apply to?: You must have a valid passport from one of the following 55 countries: Albania, Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States.

The list of ports of entry for the 240-hour visa-free transit include all major cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Chongqing, etc. For the latest list of ports and allowed areas for visa-free transit travelers under the 240-hour Visa-Free transit policy, visit the Official site of the China National Immigration Administration.

Entry with the 240-hour Visa Free entry protocol allows you to stay only within the area that visa applies to.

You may not leave the specified geographic area during your 240-hour stay.

For entering using the 240-hour visa-free entry, you let your airline know of your intention to use this visa exemption and provide the onward airline, train or embarkation tickets showing you are leaving within the 240 hours. The procedure at the airport/port/rail station when you arrive is also straigth-forward. There are usually dedicated and well-marked inspection lanes for the 240-hour visa exemption and you fill out the Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners.

The 240 hours start at 0000 (midnight) the day after landing.

For latest info and to see if you qualify for 240-hour visa free entry, use the Chinese government visa-free transit app, which spells out specifically which ports of entry and exit are covered, areas open to travel, etc.

The above protocols apply to most ordinary passport holders, there is of course other ways of visa-free entry into China such as for diplomatic passports, permanent residents, APEC travel card holders, etc.

There is also 24-hour visa-free TRANSIT, with this visa you are not allowed to leave the airport. You may apply to leave but this is totally at the discretion of the immigration officer.

If you do not meet all of the requirements for any of the above protocols, then a China Visa will be needed to enter China. Here's more on applying for a China Visa.