China has significantly upgraded its visa-free policies, providing travelers with an exciting opportunity to explore this vibrant country with greater ease. Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, China’s new visa policies are designed to offer seamless travel experiences.

In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about China’s visa-free policies, along with answers to some frequently asked questions.

What is the Visa-Free Policy?

China’s visa-free policy primarily includes two categories: visa exemption and transit visa exemption.

1. Visa Exemption: This allows travelers to enter China directly without a visa, based on bilateral or multilateral agreements, or unilateral rules set by China. Depending on the agreement, you can stay in a specified area for tourism, business, and other purposes.
2. Transit Visa Exemption: If you’re traveling through China to another destination, you can stay for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa, provided you have a valid travel document and a connecting ticket. This visa exemption applies only at certain ports and regions, allowing you to explore China during your layover without the hassle of applying for a full tourist visa.

Key Updates to China’s Visa-Free Policies

Visa requirements may vary depending on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. Some nationalities benefit from visa-free policies or visa-on-arrival options for certain regions. 

Countries Eligible for China’s Visa-Free Policy:

• 90 Days: Armenia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, San Marino
• 60 Days: Mauritius
• 30 Days:
  • Europe: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
  • Asia: South Korea, Japan
  • Americas: Argentina, Brazil
  • Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

Chinese Visa-Free Transit Policies

Citizens from 54 countries can enjoy a 240-hour (10-day) stay in China while transiting to a third destination. This policy is available in major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Eligible countries include:

• Europe: Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom
• Asia: Brunei, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Qatar, United Arab Emirates
• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
• The Americas: Argentina, Canada, Chile, Mexico, United States

This policy is available in major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou and much more (full list see below).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Ports Can I Use for Visa-Free Transit?

China offers a 24-hour visa-free transit at most international airports, except for the following:

• Urumqi Diwopu International Airport
• Mudanjiang Hailang Airport
• Yanji Chaoyangchuan Airport
• Huangshan Tunxi Airport
• Fuzhou Changle Airport

Do the Entry and Exit Ports Need to Be the Same?

No, for the 240-hour visa-free transit, your entry and exit ports don’t have to be the same. They only need to be among the 60 eligible ports across 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities.

Where Can I Travel Within China with a Transit Visa?

The 240-hour visa-free transit policy applies to the following regions:

• Liaoning
• Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei
• Shandong
• Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang
• Wuhan
• Chongqing
• Chengdu
• Xi’an
• Kunming
• Guangdong
• Xiamen

You can stay in certain areas (including the usual areas needed) for tourism, business, and other purposes. You can travel between eligible regions by trains, buses, or domestic flights, as long as your journey stays within the designated areas.

How We Can Help

We also offer Port Visas at affordable rates for groups (two or more people) attending our tours. Feel free to contact us for more details about Port Visas or any other visa-related queries.