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Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free Access

Hainan 30-day visa-free access scheme stipulates foreign citizens holding the passport of 59 qualifying countries can have 30 days visa-free entry to Hainan if received by travel agencies. During the stay, they can travel in the whole of Hainan Province without a Chinese visa. This visa-free access will count its 30 days duration from 00:00 the day following the entry date.

Hainan Visa-Free Countries List - 59 Countries

6 American Countries: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile

2 Oceania Countries: Australia, New Zealand

25 Schengen Agreement Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

15 Other European Countries: Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia (FYROM), Albania, Belarus, Monaco

11 Asian Countries: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar

Eligible Ports for Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free Access

Haikou Meilan International Airport, Sanya Phoenix International Airport and all ship ports are qualified ports for this 30 days visa exemption.

Airports Contact Information

Haikou Meilan International Airport: 0898-65760114
Sanya Phoenix International Airport: 0898-88289390

Areas Allowed to Stay - The Whole Hainan Province

Foreigners eligible for this 30 days visa exemption entry can travel inside Hainan Province. Going to mainland China from Hainan is not allowed if not having an appropriate visa.

Those wishing to visit mainland China, or extend their stay in Hainan, can ask their travel agency to help them apply for a regular Chinese visa from the Exit and Entry Administration of the local Public Security Bureau.

How to Apply for Hainan 30-Day Free Visa Access

Requirements:

Valid passport/Travel Document valid for at least 3 months from the date of entry

Tickets for Round-trip International Flight or Cruise Ships

Hotel Bookings

Travel Itinerary to Hainan

Registering Yourself with a Local Travel Agency Is a Must

Independent travelers cannot apply for the Hainan 30-day free visa on their own. This needs to be done through a travel agency in China. Visitors can submit the above information to the travel agency at least 48 hours advance of arrival, and then the agency will apply for the visa-free entry on their behalf from the local Exit and Entry Administration of Hainan.

Highlights in Hainan

World-renowned Tourist Attractions

As a romantic tourist resort in south China with rolling hills and tropical rainforests, sea island of Hainan possesses gorgeous natural seaside sceneries. Especially the seductive Yalong Bay and scenic Tianya Haijiao of Sanya should not be missed.

Yalong Bay

Wuzhizhou Island

Boao Forum for Asia

Boao Forum for Asia’s headquarters is located in Boao of Hainan. Annually in March or April, many state leaders come to Hainan together to negotiate for development of the world.

By utilizing this 30 days visa-free access, it’s convenient for you to make a trip or take part in the business or official conference in Hainan.

Recommended Guided Tour: 5 Days Haikou & Sanya Tour

Hainan Visa on Arrival

The 30-day Hainan landing visa is still issued at available ports in Haikou and Sanya, and it permits holders to exit China from other Chinese cities. You can extend the visa on arrival if wishing to stay longer in China.

Differences between Hainan Visa on Arrival & 30-day Free Visa Access

	Eligible Nationalities	Cost	Travel Agency Involved?
Visa on Arrival	Most countries but except US and France	CNY 168 - 956 depending on nationality	No
30-day Free Visa Access	59 countries	Free	Yes

Further Reading: China Visa

- Last modified on Nov. 04, 2019 -

Questions & Answers on Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free Access

Asked by Susan from UNITED KINGDOM | Dec. 11, 2019 20:53

1 year residence permit for working in China

Other than my British passport do I need to apply for anything additional to go to Sanya in January 2020? I have a valid work permit also for 1 year. Both will expire in August 2020.

Answers (1)

Answered by ZUPAN | Dec. 11, 2019 23:17

Since Hainan is part of mainland China and it has the same status as other usual Chinese provinces, you really need just a valid passport and nothing else. As I have already mentioned in one of previous similar questions/answers, when a foreigner that has regulated permit in China goes to Hainan it is 100% the same as if he/she goes from Shanghai to Xi'an. So, you just need a valid travel air or train ticket and that's it.

Asked by Ani from ARMENIA | Dec. 10, 2019 22:20

I'm an Armenian national working in China (received my work visa in Sep.2019).

I'm an Armenian national working in China (received my work visa in Sep.2019). I'm wondering if I need any travel document to go to Hainan.
Please advise.
Thanks

Answers (2)

Answered by ZUPAN | Dec. 11, 2019 12:07

No, you don't. In reality, Hainan island (province) is in the same way integral part of mainland China as it is Beijing and/or Shanghai. So, if you decide to travel there, you will travel purely domestically by plane or by train in the same way as if you take a trip to Xi'an or Guilin. Anyway, you as a foreign citizen, regardless of your work visa, are advised to travel with your valid passport. Nothing more than that.

Answered by Ani from ARMENIA | Dec. 11, 2019 17:04

Thank you

Asked by Lasse Juhl from DENMARK | Dec. 10, 2019 22:10

My family and I are travelling to Sanya from the 21st of December to the 30th of December.

We will be arriving from Hong Kong.

I have tried to contact some of the Hainan travel agencies that you have listed regarding the visa free access, however, they are yet to respond to mail.

Can you help me with a contact person from one of the Hainan based travel agencies?

Or perhaps it would make more sense to obtain our visa on arrival?

Thank you for your assistance.

Answers (1)

Answered by ZUPAN | Dec. 11, 2019 12:14

Having in mind that you will depart for Hainan from Hong Kong, you can rely on Hainan VOA that costs 168 CNY for Danish citizens. Anyway, to be totally on the safe side, especially because you are traveling with a family, I advise you to rely on the agency that will supply you with an "invitation letter". Having in mind that none of the local travel agencies has not replied to you, I advise you to contact CTS (China Travel Service) Hong Kong. They are quite reliable and the people who have relied on them have had good experiences. Anyway, if one of the agencies from Hianan has reacted and replied in the meantime, you are advised to continue a correspondence with them.

I hope you will get a reply soon because I would really suggest you to travel with absolute peace of mind relying on 30 day visa free access. Much safer than Hainan VOA, although this VOA, when departing from Hong Kong should be quite fine. You are free to come here any time, so we will see the reactions of the agencies you have contacted so far.

Asked by Jitt from THAILAND | Dec. 09, 2019 04:36

Thailand-Haikou/30days free visa & VOA by Mr.Jitt

I plan to go to Hainan for 15days(stay at Hainan only) by direct flight. As current published media(Chinadaily.com), change the existing free visa entry policy that no longer have to book their trip in advance through travel agency, and will be instead to apply visa-free entry on their own or an organization's invitation. Now already can I apply the visa-free entry by own? or still need to contact with local travel agency? I see this process is not so convenience, as I already contact to 1 suggested travel agency both by phone call & email, by no feedback. Or can I apply VOA & pay visa fee at Haikou airport for 30days stay?

Answers (3)

Answered by ZUPAN | Dec. 09, 2019 09:56

At the time being, you have to make your entrance to Hainan through an agency. There is no other way. Maybe there will be some liberalizations as you have mentioned, but at the time being, and I would say for the foreseeable future, you will have to use exactly this way. Also, it is quite possible that the agency you have contacted has not replied to you, but there are several more that will reply and ensure you to be allowed to enter Hainan visa free.

You are not in obligation to book any trip through them. Essentially, you can book everything by yourself and also travel to Hainan as individual, but you will have to book one or a couple of their services. It is up to your bargaining skill because the agency always want to sell more and you want to buy just what really suits your needs. For example, you can agree on airport transfers or similar. By the way, you should try to contact CTS (China Travel Service) Hong Kong. They will definitely reply to you and you will quite quickly come to an agreement about the details of services you are willing to take. Give them a try.

Answered by Jitt from THAILAND | Dec. 09, 2019 21:52

Thank you, Zupan. I used to go there 3 years ago by applying VOA at airport & pay visa fee 168Yuan, whether this way is still available now? I may choose to pay visa fee if this way is more convenience.

Answered by ZUPAN | Dec. 10, 2019 15:56

I perfectly understand what you say. Anyway, since 30 day visa free access has received a widespread acceptance, you have been perfectly allowed to do exactly what you have described. Anyway, at the time being, most airport staff members expect that you present them this "invitation letter" and they are simply used to it. If there is a "brave" or better to say well knowledgeable airport staff member, he/she would just leave you to board the plane knowing that you will be granted a VOA. Anyway, this is not more a case and now, addicted to these "invitation letters" they just don't want to take any risk, although there is no risk at all, and they require that you travel on 30 day visa free access. This is the reality and now it's up to you to decide what will you do. Sincerely if you are not departing from Hong Kong to Hainan because they leave practically everybody to apply for Hainan VOA, I would suggest you to rely on 30 day visa free access and to dedicate some of your time for that formality. Sorry.

Asked by Mare from ESTONIA | Dec. 08, 2019 09:09

2 Estonian citizens want to visit Hainan by direct return flight from Bangkok-to Hainan

We stay now in Thailand and just had an idea to visit Hainan next week. Can we apply visa free entri, Estonia is in the list of 59 countries? Do you have a certin application form or is it enough just to inform by e-mail to Hainan tourist company. Thank you!

Answers (1)

Answered by ZUPAN | Dec. 08, 2019 12:45

It is enough to start a correspondence with local Hainan agency, but you can also agree upon all the necessary details with a Hong Kong CTS (China Travel Service - Hong Kong). You will have to agree about the service you will take. You can expect that the agency will try to sell you as much as possible, but the travelers that like to travel as individuals will bargain hard and limit the number of services to an absolute minimum. Anyway, you have to take something like an airport transfer or similar. Indeed, they will not engage in obtaining an invitation letter for you without, at least, some material interest.

When you agree on all the detail and it is usually quite fast, you will agree about the payment of their services and you will be supplied with an invitation letter. This is not an invitation letter in reality, but more a confirmation from the relevant Chinese authorities who allows you to enter Hainan island visa free. You will print out this document and bring it with you to the airport from where you will depart to Hainan. You will be allowed to board the plane without any problem.