There are a very few situations where no visa is required or you can obtain a visa on arrival. The following paragraphs explain the main exemptions. You should also be familiar with airline regulations.
China has mutual visa-free agreements with some foreign countries, but they are mainly for diplomatic, service or official passport holders and only allow the duration of stay less than 30 days.
The truly transit passengers who hold onward tickets do not require a visa provided that they stay in the transit area and depart within 24 hours.
Citizens of Singapore, Brunei and Japan are allowed to enter China without visas for up to 15 days for tourism, including visiting family or friends, or minor business purposes provided they enter through nominated international ports.
Citizens of the following 20 countries are permitted to remain in the Pudong airport, sea port or enter into Shanghai City without a visa, for 48 hours: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, USA.
Citizens of the following 19 countries are exempt from visa requirements when they travel to Hainan Province as a group organised by International Travel Agencies that have been set up and registered in Hainan Province. The stay is limited to 15 days and travelers are not allowed to leave Hainan: Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, France, Indonesia, Italy, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, USA.
Foreign travellers travelling to Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions (SAR) in tour groups organized by travel agencies registered in these SARs are exempt from visa requirements for entry to limited areas of Guangdong province for up to 6 days when entering via nominated ports.
Chinese citizens including citizens of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan are allowed to enter China without visas but they still require passports or other travel documents such as a Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwanese.
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Travelers' Voices on Visa Exemption
1.
Nov. 7,2009 00:22 Reply
Mr.Luperga(Indonesia) said:
Hi, I'm holding indonesian passport and planning on trip to hongkong for a week. during the stay, I would like to visit some friends in shanghai, do I need visa to go to shanghai or is there any visa on arrival to go to shanghai from hongkong? if yes, then where should I apply for the visa? thanks for the help.
2.
Oct. 30,2009 08:32 Reply
Mr.Edwardggs(Malaysia) said:
I am a holder of Malaysia passport and will be traveling to China to bring my son for stem cell treatment in a hospital in Guangzhou. I will be staying there for about 35 days. I will be traveling with an Indonesian maid/caregiver to take care of my son during the treatment period.
Questions: 1) Do I need a China Visa?
2) Does my Indonesian maid/caregiver need a China Visa?
Oct. 30,2009 21:04
Mr.Samuel replied:
of course, both you and your maid need a visa.
3.
Oct. 29,2009 06:49 Reply
Mr.Benjamin(Singapore) said:
Hi, I am a Singapore citizen looking to enter Chengdu, China for about 2-3 weeks as a tourist. Will I have to apply for a visa? It says in one of the sections above that I can enter China without a visa for 15days at nominated airports. Any idea which are they?
Oct. 30,2009 21:02
Mr.Sean replied:
Yes, Singaporean passport holders are exempt from visa to China for 15 days.
4.
Oct. 22,2009 02:14 Reply
Ms.Corazon E. Montejo(India) said:
hi
im a philippine passport holder working here in india having an employment visa up to June 05 ,2010..My company will send me to Beijing China for Business meetings for 10 days do i need a visa? Because i just want to confirm as i read in your countries exemption. I dont like to have a problem during my trip especially in immigration check.
Thank you
Oct. 22,2009 02:27
Ms.Adrianna replied:
You need a visa.
5.
Oct. 22,2009 01:04 Reply
Mr.Ron Yoo(Malaysia) said:
Hi, I'm a Malaysian and Spore PR, do I need to apply for a visa to visit Shenzhen for a day?
Oct. 22,2009 02:22
Mrs.Adriana replied:
Yes, you need to apply for a visa.
6.
Oct. 21,2009 07:18 Reply
Mr.deepak(india) said:
i am indian do i need visa to china for 15 days stay in forshan and shunde for tourism and business
Oct. 21,2009 22:06
Mrs.Caelyn replied:
Yes, of course.
7.
Oct. 19,2009 21:27 Reply
Ms.Foo(Singapore) said:
Hi,
I am Singaporean going to China to visit relatives for 4 days in Nov 09. Does my philipino maid need to apply for a visa? I intend to bring her along as i have an elderly travelling with me.
Thanks
Ms Foo
Oct. 20,2009 02:42
Mr.Luther replied:
Yes, your filipino maid have to apply for a China visa in from the China embassy in Singapore in advance.
8.
Oct. 19,2009 03:44 Reply
Ms.Yuko(Japan) said:
I am a Japanese national planning a trip to China to study TaiChi for 3 weeks. Do
I need to apply for a visa since it is over the 15 day limit? How long does it take
to acquire a visa? Thank you.
Oct. 19,2009 20:15
Mr.Winston replied:
Yes, you need to apply for a visa, it will take 4 working days.
9.
Oct. 17,2009 10:23 Reply
Ms.emma(phillippines) said:
i am filipina do i need a visa to stay in hongkong for one night i will go to sweden but they sto over in hongkong in one day
Oct. 18,2009 00:44
Mr.Alex(Hong Kong/China) replied:
Philippines passport holders are exempt from a visa to Hong Kong for up to 14 days, so you don't need a visa.
10.
Oct. 14,2009 11:15 Reply
Ms.Kezia(Indonesia ) said:
hi, i'm Indonesian passport holder, and currently holding Singapore's student pass. I want to visit my relatives in Zhejiang from 9-17 december 2009, and i will be departing from Kuala Lumpur.. where should i apply the visa, and what documents do i have to prepare? thx..
Oct. 14,2009 22:20
Mrs.Blanche replied:
You can enquire about it from the China embassy in Singapore.