China Visa-free Policy
1. China announced on May 6, 2024 that visa-free policy provided to citizens of 12 countries including France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands was extended to the end of 2025, which was previously effective till the end of November this year. Benefiting from the policy, citizens of these 12 countries can enter China without a visa and stay for at most 15 days. 2. From May 15, 2024 on, all foreigners, in despite of their nationalities, arriving in China by cruise ship can enjoy visa-free stay for up to 15 days. The allowed stay areas are the whole China coastal regions including Shanghai, Hangzhou, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and its capital Beijing. But please be aware that they need to join a group tour operated by a local travel agency, each with 2 or more members; and leave by the same cruise.
3. China grants visa-free policy among New Zealand, Australia and Poland passport holders from July 1, 2024 to December 31, 2025.
4. From Oct. 15, 2024 to end of 2025, China implements a 15-day visa-free policy to Cyprus, Greece, Portugal and Slovenia. Citizens of these four countries holding ordinary passports can go to China for business, tourism, family visits and transit purposes without applying a visa.
For long, China has not been generous in allowing visa-free travel within its territory. But the situation is changing. The visa-free duration of stay for Singaporeans has been extended from 15 days to 30 days. From December 1, 2023 on, citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia have been allowed to travel to China without a visa for up to 15 days. China Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on March 7, 2024 that citizens of Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg had also been eligible for China visa-free policy since March 14, 2024. From July 1, 2024 on, passport holders of News Zealand, Australia and Poland have also been eligible for 15-day visa-free travel policy. By now, the allowed nationalities who can travel to China without a visa have been increased to 39. Hopefully, we conjecture that the policy will be adopted among more and more foreign citizens.
Who are eligible for China visa-free policy?
| Nationality | Duration of Stay |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | 15 days |
| Australia | 15 days |
| Poland | 15 days |
| Switzerland | 15 days |
| Ireland | 15 days |
| Hungary | 15 days |
| Austria | 15 days |
| Belgium | 15 days |
| Luxembourg | 15 days |
| France | 15 days |
| Germany | 15 days |
| Italy | 15 days |
| the Netherlands | 15 days |
| Spain | 15 days |
| Malaysia | 15 days |
| Albania | 15 days |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 15 Days |
| Greece | 15 Days |
| Cyprus | 15 Days |
| Portugal | 15 Days |
| Slovenia | 15 Days |
| Armenia | 90 days every 180 days |
| Barbados | 30 days |
| Bahamas | 30 days |
| Belarus | 30 days for each entry; 90 days each calendar year |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 90 days every 180 days |
| Brunei | 15 days |
| Dominica | 30 days |
| Ecuador | 30 days |
| Fiji | 30 days |
| Grenada | 30 days |
| Kazakhstan | 30 days for each entry; 90 days every 180 days |
| Maldives | 30 days |
| Mauritius | 30 days |
| Qatar | 30 days |
| San Marino | 3 months |
| Serbia | 30 days |
| Seychelles | 30 days |
| Singapore | 30 days |
| Surinam | 30 days |
| Thailand | 30 days for each entry; 90 days every 180 days |
| Tonga | 30 days |
| UAE | 30 days |
Recommended Tours
Tips for Using China Visa-free Policy
1. Passport holders of above countries should travel to China for the purposes of sightseeing, visiting relatives and friends, doing business and connecting flights. Those coming here to study, work, reside, or do media report and interview should apply for a visa in advance.
2. If your planned duration of stay is longer than the allowed, you also need to apply for a visa in advance.
3. The validity of the passport should be long enough to cover one’s stay in China. In some cases, it requires that the passport should be valid for at least 3 months or even longer. Other travel certificates or ID certificates are not recognized.
4. There is no “overstayed” or “refused” stamps on your passport.
5. The policy is only valid within mainland China. If you also plan to travel to Hong Kong and Macau, please check the Hong Kong Visa Policy and Macau Visa Policy.
What other documents do I need to show to the immigration staff in addition to my passport? 
It is advised you also bring an invitation letter, hotel order(s) in China, outbound ticket from China, or other documents proving your travel purpose(s) in China.
In addition to flying, can I enter China by other transport? Principally, you can enter China by air, train, ship, bus or any other transport via any port.
Based on China visa-free policy, my allowed duration of stay is 15 days. When does this 15-day start and end? It starts from your arrival date and ends at 24:00 of the 15th day.
What if I need to stay longer than the allowed after entry? After entering China, if you have to stay longer than the allowed duration of stay, go to local Entry and Exit Administration Office to apply for a temporary stay permit.
Can I use this policy for multiple times? Is there any limitation on number of visa exemptions, interval between two entries, and total length of stays? For most visitors listed above, there is no limitation on the number of exemptions, interval between two entries and total duration of stay. That means one can leave China on the expiration day and reenter right after to activate a new duration of stay.
This is not applicable to passport holders of Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, who can stay for at most 90 days every 180 days without a visa; while Byelorussians can stay for at most 90 days each calendar year.
I’m not from the visa-free countries. Is there any other way I can travel to China without a visa? The easiest way is to take advantage of 144-hour visa-free transit. You can fly from country/region A to China, travel around here for up to 144 hours, and then leave for country/region B. In this case, Hong Kong and Macau are considered as third regions. But only citizens of 54 countries are eligible currently. 
See details: China 144-hour Visa-free Transit
There are some more visa-free policies, but with more restrictions on travel documents, travel areas, arrival transport means and more. See details: How to Travel to China without a Visa
FAQs on China Visa-free Policy
What other documents do I need to show to the immigration staff in addition to my passport? It is advised you also bring an invitation letter, hotel order(s) in China, outbound ticket from China, or other documents proving your travel purpose(s) in China. In addition to flying, can I enter China by other transport? Principally, you can enter China by air, train, ship, bus or any other transport via any port. Based on China visa-free policy, my allowed duration of stay is 15 days. When does this 15-day start and end? It starts from your arrival date and ends at 24:00 of the 15th day. What if I need to stay longer than the allowed after entry? After entering China, if you have to stay longer than the allowed duration of stay, go to local Entry and Exit Administration Office to apply for a temporary stay permit. Can I use this policy for multiple times? Is there any limitation on number of visa exemptions, interval between two entries, and total length of stays? For most visitors listed above, there is no limitation on the number of exemptions, interval between two entries and total duration of stay. That means one can leave China on the expiration day and reenter right after to activate a new duration of stay. This is not applicable to passport holders of Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, who can stay for at most 90 days every 180 days without a visa; while Byelorussians can stay for at most 90 days each calendar year.
I’m not from the visa-free countries. Is there any other way I can travel to China without a visa? The easiest way is to take advantage of 144-hour visa-free transit. You can fly from country/region A to China, travel around here for up to 144 hours, and then leave for country/region B. In this case, Hong Kong and Macau are considered as third regions. But only citizens of 54 countries are eligible currently. See details: China 144-hour Visa-free TransitThere are some more visa-free policies, but with more restrictions on travel documents, travel areas, arrival transport means and more.
See details: How to Travel to China without a Visa - Last updated on Oct. 12, 2024 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on China Visa-free Policy
Asked by Tracy from AUSTRALIA | Oct. 05, 2024 00:24
Reply
ReplyVisa extension via detouring to Hong Kong or Macau
With the 15 days visa free policy for Australian passport holders, if I leave mainland China for Hong Kong or Macau towards the end of 15 days, then enter again from Hong Kong or Macau, do I start another 15 visa free days? I guess my question is: Is Hong Kong / Macau considered outside of China in this case? Thanks.
Answers (1)
Answered by Lori | Oct. 09, 2024 02:39
0
0Reply
00ReplyYou can get another 15 days if doing so. HK and Macau don't belong to Mainland China so going to the two will be considered an exit.
Asked by Alice from USA | Oct. 01, 2024 07:43Reply
ReplyFly into Shanghai under 72 hours?
My friends and I are planning a trip to Shanghai and HK Disney. If we stay in Shanghai under 72 hours, is this valid or would we have to fly into another country/region beforehand? Like Taiwan as an option?
Answers (1)
Answered by Borut | Oct. 06, 2024 12:4300Reply
00ReplyAlice, you can stay in wider Shanghai area for 144 hours (6 days) absolutely visa free, but your flight itinerary has to follow the pattern:
A country - B country (mainland China) - C country
As you can see, the immediate points before and after Shanghai have to be in two different countries or eligible territories. Eligible territories are Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau and they act as third country in this regard.
To be even more transparent, your itinerary has to look something like this:
South Korea - Shanghai - Taiwan
or
Hong Kong - Shanghai - Taiwan
or
Japan - Shanghai - South Korea
It is just important to remember the rule with the immediate points before and after and the rule that you cannot have two mainland Chinese stops in a row or in other words, an itinerary of this kind is not allowed like
Seoul - Shanghai - Beijing - Taiwan
Have a nice journey.
A country - B country (mainland China) - C country
As you can see, the immediate points before and after Shanghai have to be in two different countries or eligible territories. Eligible territories are Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau and they act as third country in this regard.
To be even more transparent, your itinerary has to look something like this:
South Korea - Shanghai - Taiwan
or
Hong Kong - Shanghai - Taiwan
or
Japan - Shanghai - South Korea
It is just important to remember the rule with the immediate points before and after and the rule that you cannot have two mainland Chinese stops in a row or in other words, an itinerary of this kind is not allowed like
Seoul - Shanghai - Beijing - Taiwan
Have a nice journey.
Asked by Peter Tsai from USA | Sep. 28, 2024 06:33Reply
ReplyIs 72 hrs Visa on arrival in Zhuhai available for US passport holders?
May I get a 72 hours Visa on arrival to enter Zhuhai from Hongkong with a US passport?
If yes, may I enter via the Zhuhai Hongkong Macau Bridge?
Thank you.
If yes, may I enter via the Zhuhai Hongkong Macau Bridge?
Thank you.
Answers (1)
Answered by Joshua | Sep. 28, 2024 23:2200Reply
00ReplyYes, you can apply for it at Gongbei, Hengqin or Jiuzhou Port but the bridge is not available.
Asked by John from ALBANIA | Sep. 26, 2024 20:53Reply
ReplyDo I need a return ticket to board or enter China on a 90 day visa free passport
Answers (1)
Answered by Keith | Sep. 28, 2024 18:5100Reply
00ReplyI think you don't.
Asked by Greg Dowdell from NEW ZEALAND | Sep. 19, 2024 18:44Reply
Reply 15-day Visa-free Entry Policy for New Zealanders
Hi,
We have booked an 18-day Shanghai to Hongkong tour with Inspiring Vacation in May 2025. We will be China for 15 days, departing Chengdu on the 15 day for Hongkong. Inspiring Vacation say we will require a Visa, could you please clarify this for me.
Cheers
We have booked an 18-day Shanghai to Hongkong tour with Inspiring Vacation in May 2025. We will be China for 15 days, departing Chengdu on the 15 day for Hongkong. Inspiring Vacation say we will require a Visa, could you please clarify this for me.
Cheers
Answers (1)
Answered by Keith | Sep. 22, 2024 18:3600Reply
00ReplyNew Zealanders are granted a 15-day visa free entry to Mainland China. So if you stay for no more than 15 days in total in Mainland China, then you do not need a visa. Note that the duration of stay is calculated from 00:00 of the day following your entry into China. To HK you don't need a visa, neither.