China Entry Guide 2025

Official visa policies, visa-free entry options, and complete application guide from China National Immigration Administration

Visa-Free Entry

54 countries qualify for 30-day visa-free entry

✓ No visa application needed
✓ Valid for tourism, business, visits
✓ Enter from any open port

240-Hour Transit

55 countries get 10-day transit visa-free

✓ Up to 10 days (240 hours)
✓ Access to 24 provinces, 60 ports
✓ Requires onward ticket

Regular Visa

Standard visa application for longer stays

✓ Tourist (L), Business (M), Family (Q/S)
✓ Single/Double/Multiple entry
✓ 30-60 days per visit

Official Information Source

All information on this page is based on official policies from the National Immigration Administration of China (NIA). Last updated: June-September 2025. Always verify current requirements before travel.

30-Day Visa-Free Entry (54 Countries)

Citizens from these countries can enter China without a visa for tourism, business, visits, or transit

Key Benefits

✓30 days stay - calculated from day after entry
✓Any open port - enter/exit from all Chinese border crossings
✓Multiple purposes - tourism, business, visiting relatives, exchanges
✓Nationwide travel - no geographic restrictions

Important Requirements

•Passport validity: Must be valid for 6+ months
•Registration: Must register accommodation within 24 hours
•Extensions: Can apply to extend if urgent situations arise
•Calculation: Every 180 days, max 90 days cumulative visa-free stay

Eligible Countries (54 Total)

🇪🇺 Europe (33 countries)

France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovenia, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Russia

🌏 Asia (7 countries)

Brunei, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain

🌎 Americas (5 countries)

Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay

🌊 Oceania (2 countries)

Australia, New Zealand

Note for US, UK, and Canadian citizens: You are NOT on the visa-free list. Please check the 240-hour transit visa-free policy below or apply for a regular visa.

240-Hour Transit Visa-Free (55 Countries)

Stay up to 10 days (240 hours) when transiting through China to a third country

Key Features

✓10 days maximum - 240 hours from midnight after entry
✓60 entry ports - across 24 provinces/cities
✓Cross-province travel - can move between allowed regions
✓Multiple activities - tourism, business, visits (not work/study)

Requirements

•Third country ticket: Confirmed onward flight to another country (not origin)
•Valid passport: 6+ months validity remaining
•Stay in region: Cannot leave designated province/city area
•Register accommodation: Within 24 hours of arrival

Eligible Countries (55 Total)

🇪🇺 Europe (40 countries)

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania

🌎 Americas (6 countries)

United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile

🌊 Oceania (2 countries)

Australia, New Zealand

🌏 Asia (7 countries)

South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia

Major Entry Ports & Allowed Regions

Beijing Region

Ports: Beijing Capital Airport, Daxing Airport

Area: Beijing city

Shanghai Region

Ports: Pudong Airport, Hongqiao Airport, Sea Port

Area: Shanghai city

Guangdong Region

Ports: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai airports

Area: Entire Guangdong province

Chengdu Region

Ports: Shuangliu & Tianfu airports

Area: 11 cities in Sichuan

Xi'an Region

Ports: Xi'an Xianyang Airport

Area: Shaanxi province

Guilin Region

Ports: Guilin, Nanning, Beihai airports

Area: 12 cities in Guangxi

+ 18 more provinces including Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Hainan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Shanxi, Heilongjiang, Jiangxi, Yunnan

✓ Good news for US, UK, Canadian citizens: You qualify for this 240-hour transit policy! Perfect for exploring Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou during a layover.

Other Visa-Free Options

Additional entry options for short stays and specific regions

24-Hour Transit Visa-Free (All Countries)

Foreign nationals from any country can transit through China without a visa if staying less than 24 hours and not leaving the port area.

• Available at all Chinese international ports
• Must have confirmed onward ticket within 24 hours
• Cannot leave port transit area
• To leave port area, must apply for temporary entry permit at border inspection

Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free (59 Countries)

Citizens from 59 countries can visit Hainan Island visa-free for up to 30 days.

• Entry ports: Haikou Meilan Airport, Sanya Phoenix Airport
• Travel scope: Hainan Island only
• Individual or group travel allowed
• Must book through registered travel agency for groups

Cruise Ship Transit Visa-Free (All Countries)

Foreign tourist groups (2+ people) arriving by cruise ship can enter visa-free.

• Available at: Tianjin, Dalian, Shanghai, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Haikou, Sanya, etc.
• Must be organized by Chinese travel agency
• Must depart on same cruise ship
• Stay duration determined by cruise itinerary

Hong Kong/Macau to Guangdong 6-Day (All Countries)

Foreign tourists can enter Guangdong visa-free from Hong Kong/Macau for 6 days.

• Must be organized by HK/Macau registered travel agency
• Group travel (2+ people) required
• Valid for: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Huizhou, Shantou
• Enter and exit through designated ports in above cities

Port Visa (Visa on Arrival)

Emergency visa option available at 99 ports in 73 cities

What is a Port Visa?

Port visas are similar to "visas on arrival" - they allow foreign nationals with urgent entry needs who don't have time to apply at embassies abroad to obtain a visa upon arrival at Chinese ports.

Eligible for Port Visa if you have urgent need for:

✓ Business cooperation and commercial activities
✓ Visits and exchanges
✓ Investment and entrepreneurship
✓ Visiting relatives or private affairs
✓ Humanitarian reasons (funeral, critically ill patient)

Required Documents:

• Valid passport or international travel document
• Proof of urgent entry reason
• Invitation letter (for business)
• Evidence of emergency situation
• Itinerary and accommodation

💡 Recommendation: Apply in advance to port visa authorities before arrival to avoid rejection at the port. Tourist groups should apply through Chinese travel agencies handling reception.

📍 Port Visa Coverage: 99 ports across 73 cities including all major international airports. Contact specific port visa authorities for application details.

Regular Visa Application

For stays longer than 30 days or if not eligible for visa-free policies

L Visa (Tourist)

For sightseeing and tourism

• Single entry: 30 days
• Double entry: 30 days each
• Multiple entry: 30-90 days/visit
• Validity: 3 months - 10 years

M Visa (Business)

For commercial and trade activities

• Single/double/multiple entry
• 30-90 days per entry
• Requires invitation letter
• Company registration needed

Q/S Visa (Family)

For visiting family members

• Q1/S1: Long-term (180+ days)
• Q2/S2: Short-term (≤180 days)
• Requires family proof
• Invitation letter needed

Application Process

Determine Visa Type

Choose appropriate visa based on purpose: L (tourist), M (business), F (exchange), Q/S (family)

Prepare Documents

Passport (6+ months validity), application form, photo, flight/hotel bookings, invitation letter (if required)

Submit Application

Apply at Chinese embassy/consulate or visa application center. Biometric data collection required

Processing & Collection

Standard processing: 4-5 business days. Express available. Collect passport with visa

Required Documents Checklist:

☐ Passport with 6+ months validity
☐ Completed visa application form
☐ Recent passport photo (48mm x 33mm)
☐ Round-trip flight reservation

☐ Hotel booking confirmation
☐ Travel itinerary
☐ Bank statements (last 3 months)
☐ Employment letter/proof of status

Visa Extensions & Important Information

Extending Your Stay

If you need to stay longer than your visa-free or visa period, you can apply for an extension at local exit-entry administration offices.

• Apply before current stay expires
• Need valid reason and supporting documents
• Can extend: L, F, M, Q2, S2 visas
• Processing: 7 working days typically

Accommodation Registration

All foreign visitors must register within 24 hours of arrival - this is a legal requirement.

• Hotels automatically register guests
• For private accommodation: register at local police station
• Keep registration form for entire stay
• Re-register when changing accommodation

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