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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 Dec. 28, 2019 -

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

Asked by Francis from AUSTRALIA | Jan. 15, 2020 23:47

We will travel direct n return Melbourne ~ Haiku for a week.

How much visa fee for 2 Australia Passport Holders and one Malaysia Passport Holder?

Answers (2)

Answered by Sara from AUSTRALIA | Jan. 16, 2020 19:10

If you can enjoy VOA, then it costs CNY 168 - 956/person depending on nationality. If you are eligible for 30-day Free Visa Access, it is free of charge but you have to sign up for a travel agency.

Answered by ZUPAN | Jan. 17, 2020 09:36

Hainan VOA is more convenient option, but it is also quite risky because you never know whether you will be allowed to board the plane or not by Australian airport authorities. So, if you want to travel to Hainan completely with peace of mind, you are advised to apply for 30 day visa free access through one of several travel agencies and among them Hong Kong based China Travel Service (HK) is by far the best. You will be offered a spectrum of their services, but you will accept only those that you really need. Of course, you have to take something like airport transfer or similar.

Asked by Mike from USA | Jan. 09, 2020 22:30

I have USA passport.I do not have travel agency,I am booking my own itinerary.

1-can I get free visa at airport.
2- If not please advise me.
Thank you

Answers (2)

Answered by ZUPAN | Jan. 10, 2020 13:50

Part one:

In reality, you have three options, but there is no "free visa" option. Your options are:

1. To apply for Hainan VOA upon your landing in Sanya or Hiakou
2. To rely on 30 day visa free access
3. To obtain a Chinese tourist (L) visa in advance

1. You can rely on Hainan VOA, but only if you are arriving to Hainan via Hong Kong. The airport staff in practically all non Chinese airports will not allow you boarding a plane. Only Hong Kong airport staff is trained enough to allow travelers who intend to apply for Hainan VOA to board the plane. The main drawbacks of this option is a price for US citizens of 956 CNY and the fact that you cannot arrive to Hainan from within mainland China. A huge advantage is that it requires a minimum of formalities and it is also valid for 30 days out of which you are allowed to spend 15 days in other parts of mainland China.

2. 30 day visa free access requires an agency, bur regardless of agency, you are completely free to create your own itinerary and to choose your own accommodations. The main drawbacks of this option are the fact that you have to make a correspondence with the agency that will try to convince you to take as much as possible of their services. Also, you are not allowed to arrive to Hainan from within mainland China and also you are not allowed to travel to other parts of mainland China after your stay in Hainan is over. Here you pay for a service that you will take and not for a visa because this is visa free access. The best agency to deal with is Hong Kong based China Travel Service - CTS (HK). The good detail is that you will receive some form of invitation letter and you will be allowed to board the plane in every country that has a direct flight to Hainan.

Answered by ZUPAN | Jan. 10, 2020 13:51

Part two:

3. You can obtain a Chinese tourist (L) visa. US citizens are eligible for 10 year, multiple entry visa and you are allowed to arrive and depart to/from Hainan in the absolute sovereign way from within mainland China and to return to mainland China. Literally as you wish. The maind drawbacks of this option are formalities in obtaining a one.

Now when you know, you can make a decision which one of the mentioned options will you choose.

Asked by Jay from SPAIN | Jan. 08, 2020 17:22

Visa On Arrival

I know this case is similar as Sandra, but I want to make sure.
I am from Spain and have for next month a return ticket from HonKong(HKG) to Sanya airport(SYX) and want to be sure I won't have any problem to get the VOA once I arrive in Sanya. And if is easy to find the place to get it and won't have problem when I will check in.

Thanks for everything.

Answers (1)

Answered by Gina from CANADA | Jan. 09, 2020 18:15

You can apply for Hainan Visa on Arrival at Sanya airport upon landing. It is easy to get and costs CNY168-956 depending on nationality.

Asked by Neil from SINGAPORE | Jan. 08, 2020 03:01

Travel agency

Can someone recommend a travel agency Hainan who can issue a travel visa?

Answers (1)

Answered by ZUPAN | Jan. 08, 2020 14:23

You are advised to use Hong Kong based, China Travel Service (Hong Kong) - CTS (HK). They are definitely the best and they are authorized to do all the formalities when you travel on 30 day visa free access. As you can see, you will travel visa free, but the agency will supply you with a sort of invitation letter.

Please, have in mind that when using 30 day visa free access, you cannot arrive in Hainan from within mainland China. Your flight into Hainan has to be from a country different than mainland China.

Asked by Sandra from UK | Jan. 05, 2020 14:27

British travellers travelling to Sanya

I have a hotel reservation and return flights to Sanya from the UK. Can I get a Visa on arrival? Visa company’s are saying I need a full Chinese visa is that correct?

Answers (3)

Answered by ZUPAN | Jan. 05, 2020 15:41

Sandra, do you plan to arrive to Sanya directly from a mainland Chinese airport, for example Guangzhou?

Answered by Sandra from UK | Jan. 06, 2020 00:31

London via Hong Kong to Sanya

Answered by ZUPAN | Jan. 06, 2020 02:30

This is good :)

When you are arriving to Sanya from Hong Kong, you are assured that you will be allowed to board the plane when you declare that you will rely on Hainan VOA. So, you can rely on Hainan VOA and this is exactly what will you tell to the authorities in Hong Kong. Basically, your situation is simple and you will just apply for Hainan VOA upon your arrival in Sanya. Keep in mind to have your flight tickets and your accommodation booking printed out, ready to be presented to the immigration authorities in Sanya. One more detail, the VOA price for UK citizens is 304 CNY.