china visa free travel 2023

China Travel Restrictions & Travel Advisory (Updated June 17, 2024)

Visa-Free Access to China : If you're from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, and Poland, you can visit China visa-free for 15 days until December 31st, 2025. If you're from Singapore, you can relish visa-free access to China for up to 30 days.

If your nationality isn't listed above or if you aim to discover China for more than two weeks, we offer a Port Visa Service for just US$100 per person  once your tour booking is confirmed with us. No stress of embassy visits and visa interviews.

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• What Ways to Enter China
• Do I Still Need a PCR Test to Enter China
• Hong Kong/Macau Travel Restriction

International Flights to China

What to expect when traveling in china, best times to travel to china, 8 ways to enter china: all open now.

Since China has fully permitted visa applications, there are now several ways to enter the country.

If you still hold a valid Chinese visa (any type including a tourist visa, 10-year visa, a port visa, etc.), you can use it to enter China.

If you don't have a Chinese visa or your visa has expired, you can apply for a new one. All visas can now be applied for, including tourist visas, business visas, work visas, and so on. (International visitors can apply for a tourist visa to the Chinese Mainland in Hong Kong.)

For the documents required for a visa application, you can refer to the information given by a Chinese embassy/consulate . Please submit your application at least two months in advance.

To apply for a tourist visa (L visa), you will be asked to provide an invitation letter issued by a Chinese travel agency or individual or round-trip air tickets and hotel bookings.

When booking a private tour with us, we can provide you with an invitation letter, which is one more thing we do to make your travel more convenient, giving you more flexibility with your air tickets and hotel bookings.

Now it is very easy to apply for a visa . You can easily apply by yourself without an intermediary. The following is how one of our clients successfully applied for a Chinese tourist visa:

• First, fill out the form at the China Online Visa Application website ;
• Second, make an appointment on this website to submit your visa materials on Appointment for Visa Application Submission website ;
• Third, take the required documents to the embassy to submit;
• Finally, you will get a return receipt if your documents are qualified.

Usually, you will get your visa after 7 working days. The application fee is about USD185 for US citizens.

Q: What if my passport expires but my visa doesn't?

A: You can travel to China on the expired passport containing valid Chinese visa in combination with the new passport, provided that the identity information (name, date of birth, gender, nationality) on both passport identical.

If there is a change to any of the above details, you must apply for a new visa.

2. 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy

If you do not apply for a Chinese visa, you may still have the opportunity to visit these areas of China visa free: the Shanghai area (including Suzhou, Hangzhou, etc.), the Beijing area (with Tianjin and Hebei), the Guangzhou area (Shenzhen, Zhuhai, etc.), and more. Take advantage of the 6-day visa-free entitlements.

Find out if you could use the 144-hour visa-free transit policy with our information on China's 144-hour Visa-Free Policy (Eligible Entry/Exit Ports, Applicable Countries, Documents to be Prepared...)

You can also obtain entry and exit control policies through the 24-hour hotline of the National Immigration Administration:

• Beijing: 0086 (+86)-10-12367
• Shanghai: 0086 (+86)-21-12367
• Guangzhou: 0086 (+86)-20-12367

Quick Test: Will My Route Qualify for China 72/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit?

1. I will depart from (only applies to direct or connected flight):

2. I will arrive in China at [city], [airport / railway station / port].

3. My arrival date is...

4. I will leave for [country/region] from China (the bounding destination on the air ticket):

5. My departure date is...

6. My nationality is...

8. I have Chinese visa refusal stamps in my passport.

You qualify to enjoy China's 72-hour visa-free policy.

You qualify to enjoy China's 144-hour visa-free policy.

You don't qualify to enjoy China's 72-hour or 144-hour visa-free policy.

Reason you don't qualify:

• You must be in transit to a third country or region.
• You must leave the city area (prefecture or municipality) after the 72/144 hours (the 72/144-hour limit is calculated starting from 00:00 on the day after arrival, i.e. 24:00 on the arrival date).
• Your passport must be valid for more than 3 months at the time of entry into China.
• Your passport nationality is not eligible for the 72/144-hour visa exemption program.
• You have Chinese visa refusal stamps in your passport.

3. Port Visas (Landing Visas)

If you don't have time to get a visa, or if you find it cumbersome to apply for a tourist visa, you could consider traveling to China through a port visa.

Port visas can be applied for a group at least including 2 people. You need to enter the country within 15 days after you get your entry permit. The port visa allows a stay period of 1 to 2 months.

Applicable ports include Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Guilin, Xi'an, Chengdu, etc.

Book your China trip with us and we can help you apply for a port visa.

4. Visa Exemption for ASEAN Tour Groups to Guilin

In addition, tour groups from ASEAN member countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Myanmar, Brunei, and the Philippines, can visit Guilin for 144 hours without visas as long as they meet the visa-free transit policy requirements.

5. Shanghai Visa-Free Policy for Cruise Groups

Shanghai has a 15-day visa-free policy for foreign tourist groups entering China via a cruise. You must arrive and depart on the same cruise and be received by a Chinese travel agent at the Shanghai Cruise Terminal (or Wusong Passenger Center).

6. Hainan Visa-Free Access

No visa is required for staying on Hainan Island for up to 30 days for ordinary passport holders from 59 countries. Groups and individual tourists must book a tour through an accredited travel agency.

Find out whether you qualify for the policy here .

7. Visa Exemption for the Pearl River Delta Area

International travelers from Hong Kong or Macau are able to visit the Pearl River Delta area (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, etc.) visa-free as long as they go with a registered tour provider, such as us.

8. APEC Cards

If you hold a valid APEC business travel card, you can simply enter China with the card without applying for a visa.

Travelers who hold a valid APEC business travel card can stay in China for up to 60 days.

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Do I Still Need a PCR Test or Antigen Self-Test to Enter China

No. Starting from August 30, all travelers entering China will no longer need to undergo any COVID-19 testing. You do not need to submit any test results for COVID-19 before departure.

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Hong Kong / Macau Travel Restriction

Hong kong entry requirements.

Travelers from any region bound for Hong Kong will no longer need to take pre-flight COVID-19 tests (no PCR test, no RAT test) from April 1.

There is also no need for any tests when traveling from Hong Kong to the Chinese Mainland. Hong Kong could be a good gateway for your China trip. See suggestions on China Itineraries from Hong Kong (from 1 Week to 3 Weeks).

Direct high-speed trains from Guangzhou and Shenzhen to Hong Kong are available now. In preparation for the Canton Fair, it is expected that direct high-speed ferries will be launched from Guangzhou Pazhou Port to Hong Kong's airport in mid-April.

• 10 Top China Tours from Hong Kong

Macau Entry Requirement

From August 30, travelers from any region bound for Macau will no longer need to take pre-flight COVID-19 tests (no PCR test, no RAT test).

There is also no need for any tests when traveling from Macau to the Chinese Mainland.

Inbound and outbound international flights in the week beginning March 6th rose by more than 350% compared with a year earlier, to nearly 2,500 flights, according to Chinese flight tracking data from APP Flight Master.

At present, there are one or two direct flights a week from New York to Shanghai, Los Angeles to Beijing, Seattle to Shanghai, London to Guangzhou, etc.

There are also many flight options with stopovers that are more frequent and affordable. Testing at transit airports is now not required!

The Coronavirus outbreak in China has subsided. China looks like it did in 2019 again. No special measures (like PCR tests or health codes) are required when traveling around China. All attractions are open as normal.

Wearing a mask is not mandatory when traveling. In hotels, masks are off for the most part. But in some crowded places, such as airports or subway stations, many people still wear masks.

Weather-wise, the best times to visit China are spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October), when most of the popular places have their most tourism-friendly weather, except for the "golden weeks" — the first week of May and of October — when most attractions are flooded with Chinese tourists.

If you are looking for smaller crowds, favorable prices, and still good weather, you should consider March and April or September.

Tourism in cultural and historical destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an is hardly affected by weather conditions. They are suitable to be visited all year round.

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We've been building our team for over 20 years. Even over the past three years we have continued, serving over 10,000 expats with China tours and getting a lot of praise (see TripAdvisor ).

We are based in China and can show you the characteristics and charm of China from a unique perspective. Just contact us to create your China trip .

Our consultants will listen to and answer your inquiries carefully and prepare the best plan for you.

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  I.Visa Types and  Required Documents

  Annex 1  Important Tips for online COVA visa form filling

1.  Please carefully read the prompts and requirements of the COVA form system, and complete the entries of the visa application COVA online form step by step, making sure that the information is true, accurate and complete. Please note: Once the application form has been submitted, it cannot be modified in any way.

2.  The " location " option  for submitting the visa application should be  in line with the consular jurisdiction.

3.  Basic personal information. Surname, given names, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport number, passport type, etc. must be exactly the same as those on the passport information page, otherwise your visa application will be returned.

4.  If you were born in China (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan), please note:

  (1) Application form 1.1D The Chinese name (if applicable) must be entered in Chinese with the Chinese character input method, please do not fill in "Chinese", "Chinese", etc.

  (2) In the application form 1.6G, select "Yes" for "former nationality", and then select the nationality information.

  (3) Item 1.6H of the application form is required. If the applicant is applying for a Chinese visa for the first time, this entry will be automatically generated during the form filling process; but if the applicant has previously applied for a Chinese visa, this entry will not be displayed when filling in the online form, and the form must be printed out and supplemented by hand-written Chinese name and other information. This Item cannot be empty.

5.  Fill in the work experience and educational background

  (1) Please fill in the work experience in the past 5 years.

  (2) The “position” and “duty” of the application form 3.2D and 3.2E must be filled in completely.

   (3)   Please fill in the highest diploma/degree in 4.1, and the diploma/degree and major in 4.1B and 4.1C must be completed.

6.  Completely fill in each address

The address of the spouse in 5.5A of the application form  must fill in the address of the current location , not the address of the place of birth. The address must be filled in completely, including street, city, state, and country.

7.  If you choose "not applicable" for any entry in the form, you need to state the reason for “not applicable”.

8.  Printing and signing. After completing the COVA online form filling, you must print out a full set of application forms, including the "Confirmation of Online Visa application" and "Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China" (depending on the individual filling situation, a total of 8 to 9 pages will be generated). All the pages of the forms must be printed to turn in, the signature and date on the Confirmation Page and the 8th page of Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China must be handwritten by the applicant him/herself. Visa applicant under the age of 18 is signed by their guardian, and meanwhile add a handwritten signature in the "For person filling in the application on the applicant’s behalf".

  Annex 2  Contents of S1, S2, Q1, Q2 Visa Invitation Letter

Inviter’s name XX, gender X, date of birth: XX, Chinese ID number XXX (or foreign passport number XX, Chinese permanent residence card number XX), current address in China is XX, contact phone number XX, email XX.

I hereby invite the following relatives to visit China for a short-term visit/long-term residence. He/She plans to go to China on XX, and stay in China for XX days.

Invitee information: name XX, gender X, date of birth XX, nationality XX, passport number XX, and the relative relationship with the inviter is XX.

Inviter's signature:        Date:

  Annex 3  Cont ents of M， F and L Visa Invitation Letter

1. Personal information of the invitee: name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.

2. Information about the invitee’s visit to China: reason for coming to China, date of arrival and departure, place of visit, relationship with the inviting unit or inviter, who will pay for the travel, etc.

3. Inviting party information: inviting party name, address, tel e phone number, official seal, legal representative or inviter’s signature, date, etc. (the information must be included in the text of the invitation letter)

  Annex 4    Where You Stay Form  ( Download )

Please note: According to the v isa application requirements, if the applicant is not in the United States, he cannot apply for a visa to the Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General in the United States.)

II. Process of Visa Application

The  consular jurisdiction   of the Embassy  of the People ’ s Republic of China   includes : Washington D . C . ,  Maryland ,  Virginia ,  West Virginia ,  North Carolina ,  South Carolina ,  Kentucky,  Tennessee ,  Delaware ,  Alabama ,  Arkansas ,  Florida ,  Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Puerto Rico . Please confirm that the applicant lives in the above-mentioned states before submitting the visa application.

1. Visa applicants need to log on to the website  “ China Online Visa Application (COVA) ”  to fill in the COVA forms.

*After completing the COVA forms as required, please make sure to  print the full set of COVA forms (8-9 pages)  and  sign   on the Confirmation Page and the 8th  page . If the COVA forms are not prepared as guided, the application will not be accepted.

2. The physical application documents can be submitted to the Visa Office within the office hours by the visa applicant or by an agent.

3. In addition to the printed and signed COVA forms, visa applicants also need to prepare the physical  Required Documents (include   "A.Basic Documents"   and   "B.General Documents")   to submit on-site to the Visa Office. If the physical documents do not meet the requirements or not sufficient, the application may be returned, and the applicant may need to fill in the COVA forms again.

4. Please check all the information on the visa is correct when picking up. If there is any inaccuracy, please tell the staff immediately in case inconvenience brought by the incorrect information. Credit card (Master or Visa card only), money order or cashier's check are accepted for on-site pick-up. 

III.  Processing Time and Fees

Regular service:  4 business days

Express service:  3 business days (urgent situation)

Note:  The above processing time is average and for reference only. Some applications may require longer processing time that a pick-up date cannot be confirmed until notified by the Visa Office.

For visa processing fees, please  click   here .  

IV. Address and Contact Information of the Visa office

Address of the Visa Office :

2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite110, Washington, D.C. 20007 U.S.A.

Office Hours:

9:30-14:30 (Monday to Friday, closed on weekends and holidays)

Email address: [email protected]

Phone number:

001-202-855-1555 (12:30-16:30, Monday to Friday, except for holidays)

Face mask is required upon entry.

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In order to further promote personnel exchanges between China and foreign countries, serve high-quality development and open up to the outside world at a high level, China has decided to expand the scope of unilateral visa-free countries on a trial basis to holders of ordinary passports from six countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. Visa-free policy. From December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024, ordinary passport holders from the above countries who come to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 15 days can enter China without a visa. People from the above-mentioned countries who do not meet the conditions for visa exemption still need to apply for a visa to China before entering China.

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China to Offer Visa-free Entry to France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia Citizens

Who will be eligible for the visa-free policy?

How long can i stay in china under the visa-free policy , when will the policy be actually carried out , is there any visa exemption policy for citizens of other countries.

• China to Stop Requiring Covid-19 Tests from Incoming Travelers Published: Aug. 29, 2023
• 15-Day Visa-free Travel to China Resumed for Singapore Passport Holders Published: Jul. 23, 2023
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China Visa Free Countries - Which Countries Don't Need Visa for China

Notice on Latest Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China - Updated on July 15, 2024 :

1. Kunming, Lijiang, Dali, Xishuangbanna and 5 regions in Yunnan Province are applicable to 144-hour visa-free transit policy. Mohan Railway Port at China-Laos border can be used to enter/leave Yunnan.

2. Breaking News! a. China will be 15-day visa-free for Australia, New Zealand and Poland from July 1st, 2024 to December 31st, 2025. b. 15 days visa free for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg has been extended until December 31, 2025. Read more »

3. Hong Kong High-speed Rail West Kowloon Station has been added to Guangdong Province 144-hour transit visa-free.

4. China - Georgia Mutual Exemption of Visa, starting from May 28, 2024.

5. Booking of flights and hotels, China itineraries and invitation letters are not required for application of Chinese Tourist Visa for U.S.nationals.

6. Appointment is not required for visa application in many embassies and consulates.

8. Starting from 00:00 on November 1, 2023, individuals entering or exiting the country are exempt from filling out the "People's Republic of China Health Declaration Card for Entry/Exit."

7. Norway has become the 54th country whose passport holders can transit without visa up to 72/144 hours in China.

8. Starting from August 30, 2023, individuals traveling to China will no longer be required to undergo pre-entry COVID-19 nucleic acid or antigen testing.

9. U.S. citizens holding multi-year multiple-entry visas issued before March 28, 2020, whose visas temporarily lost entry functionality between March 28, 2020, and March 14, 2023, due to the pandemic, are eligible to apply for compensation. Those who choose to apply for compensation will receive a free 3-year multiple-entry visa. Those who choose to waive the compensation can apply for a new 10-year multiple-entry visa at the regular fee.

China Discovery will keep focusing on the updates of the latest Chinese visa and entry policy! You can also call +86 010 12367 (Official telephone number of China National Immigration Administration) to check further information. Welcome to join in our Facebook Groups to catch up with the latest news!

Invitation letter is a vital document for Chinese visa application. If you travel with us, we will not only create a valuable tour for you, but also provide you an invitation letter if you request, which will help you obtain your visa successfully. Start customizing your tour in China now!

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Which countries can travel to China without visa?

Like other countries in the world, China offers different visa free policies for international visitors in different situations. Currently, there are more than 10 Chinese Visa Exemption cases, which have specific requirements of nationality, port of entry, place and duration of stay, etc. So, read the following China Visa free countries to see if you are the lucky person who don’t need a visa to visit China.

China Visa Exemption Countries in Different Visa-free Policies

Except visa free entry to China's mainland, Hong Kong and Macau also give visiting convenience to lots of citizens (holders of ordinary passports). Certainly, all the no-visa stay in China needs necessary qualification and have strict regulations.

Which Countries can Enter China without Visa ?

Various type of visa-free rules are implemented in China for international visitors, who visit China through specific ways of transportation, ports of entry and holding different nationality of passport.

(1) Singapore and Thailand Citizens - 30 Days Visa Free Entry

According to unilateral agreement signed between China and the 2 countries, citizens from Singapore and Thailand are allowed to enter via all open ports, stay in China's mainland for up to 30 days.

Two requirements: 1.) visitor must hold ordinary passport; 2.) the purpose of visiting China is for tourism, business, family visit or transit.

(2) 15-Day Visa Free - 15 Countries (Australia, France, Spain...)

In order to further promote the exchange of personnel between China and foreign countries, serve high-quality development and high-level opening up, the Chinese government has decided to pilot the expansion of the scope of unilateral visa-free countries and implement a unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Australia, New Zealand, and Poland. Ordinary passport holders of the above-mentioned countries can enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 15 days until December 31, 2025. Personnel of the above-mentioned countries who do not meet the visa-free conditions still need to apply for a visa to China before entering the country. Know more about China 15 Days Visa-free Entry Policy >>

(3) China Visa-free Transit - 54 Countries (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Russia, Singapore...)

Now, China carried out 3 major transit visa exemption policies , including 24-Hour, 72-Hour and 144-Hour visa-free transit.

*24-Hour Direct Visa-free Transit: it is valid for foreigners from any country with connecting (flight, cruise, train) tickets to a third country/region within 24 hours, and applies to any ports opened for foreigners. ( Notes: Visitors can only stay inside the airport, for no more than 24 hours. Individual airport in China has own restrictions of nationality and stay period.)

*72-Hour & 144-Hour Visa-free Transit: it is valid for citizens of appointed 54 countries to visa-free transit in Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu, etc. Applicants must hold connecting transportation tickets to onward destinations within 72/144 hours. ( Notes: Visitors can only enter from certain ports, and stay in specific administrative area as stated.) Know more about China 144-Hour Visa-free Transit / China 72-Hour Visa-free Transit .

Country List of the 54 Countries:

European Countries (39)

a. European Countries under Schengen Visa Agreement (25) : Austria, Belgium, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Monaco.

b. Other European Countries (14): Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, and Belarus.

American Countries (6): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and the Republic of Chile.

Oceania Countries (2): Australia and New Zealand.

Asia Countries (6): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

Top Recommended China Visa-free Transit Tours:

• ● 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour with Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking
• ● 3 Days Shanghai Highlights & Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour
• ● 2 Days Xian City Break
• ● 2 Days Guilin Ideal Li River Cruise & Yangshuo Essence Tour

(4) 6-Day Visa-free Guilin Group Tour - 10 ASEAN Nations (Singapore, Maylasia, Brunei, Thailand...)

Except the 72-Hour Visa-free Transit for transit passengers from 54 countries, Guilin also offers 144-Hour Visa-free Entry to group tourists from ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations). All group tour members have to enter and exit from Guilin Liangjian Airport, and stay in administrative area of Guilin for not exceeding 6 days. If you want to use this visa-free convenience, you should contact an authorized travel agency in China to arrange such a group tour.

10 ASEAN Member States: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam.

Top Recommended Guilin Tours:

• ● 3 Days Classic Guilin Tour
• ● 4 Days Guilin Highlights Tour
• ● 4 Days Li River Cruise with Yangshuo Hiking Tour
• ● 5 Days Best Guilin In-depth Vacation

(5) 6-Day Visa-free Group Tour in Pearl River Delta - China's Diplomatic Countries

A. If you hold ordinary passport from any country that established diplomatic relationship with China, you can travel to the Pearl River Delta (including Guangzhou , Shenzhen , Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Huizhou) without a Chinese Visa, for no more than 6 days. Other requirements are : 1.) you already in Hong Kong or Macau; 2.) your trip is organized by a travel agency legally registered in Hong Kong or Macau.

B. The 6-Day visa-free rule still applies to above mentioned tour group, who enter and exit from Shantou, and only stay in administrative in Shantou.

Top Recommended Peal River Dealta Tours:

• ● 3 Days Guangzhou Short Stay Tour
• ● 4 Days Guangzhou Family with Kids Tour
• ● 3 Days Classic Shenzhen Tour
• ● 4 Days Shenzhen Family Tour with Kids

(6) 30-Day Hainan Visa-free Entry - 59 Countries (US, Canada, Australia, Malaysia...)

Since May 1, 2018, citizens from 59 countries are visa exempted to travel to Hainan Island (Haikou, Sanya ...) from any open ports in Hainan, for no more than 30 days. Meanwhile, they must report current travel information (including passport, round-trip tickets, hotel reservation and itinerary in Hainan) to a local travel agency 48 hours before arrival.

59 Hainan Visa-free Countries:

Europe (40 Countries): Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovak, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom;

America (6 countries): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile;

Asia (11 countries): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar;

Oceania (2 countries): Australia, New Zealand.

Top Recommended Hainan Tours:

>> 4 Days Sanya Beach Resort Tour

>> 4 Days Sanya Relaxing Holiday with Circular-island High Speed Train Experience

(7) 15-Day Visa-free Cruise Group Tour to Shanghai & China Costal Areas - All Foreign Countries

Cruise ship visitors holding any foreign ordinary passport may visit Shanghai , Beijing and other costal provincial-level cities for no more than 15 days.

The requirements includes:

1.) travel tour group with at least 2 members;

2.) enter from cruise terminals in Shanghai;

3.) organized and received by travel agency legally organized in China;

4.) the movement area is limited in specific regions, Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin , Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi, Hainan, Hebei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Liaoning, Shangdong.

Popular Shanghai Tours: 2 Days Classic Shanghai City Tour / 3 Days Best Shanghai Tour with Half-day Cycling

Popular Beijing Tours: 2 Days Beijing Layover Highlights Tour / 3 Days Beijing Essential Short Stay Tour

(8) 18 Countries on China Mutual Visa Exemption - Serbia, Fiji, Grenada, Bahamas...

China has executed two-way visa free agreement with 18 foreign countries , which permits qualified visitors to visit China without a visa for a certain period. Please read permitted duration of stay and more useful tips on Mutual Visa Exemption. Get more information of China Mutual Visa Exemption: Countries List & Duration of Stay >>

18 China Mutual Visa-free Countries: San Marino, Mauritius, Seychelles, Bahamas, Fiji, Grenada, Ecuador, Tango, Serbia, Barbados, United Arab Emirates, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus, Qatar, Armenia, Maldives and Dominica.

(9) Holders of Special Documents - 21 APEC States & Aliens Residing in China

*APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) Holders : the holders can enjoy multiple-entry business visit to (mainland) China for up to 60 days each entry during 5 years.

21 APEC Economies: Australia, Brunei, Chile, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam, plus China, Hong Kong, Taiwan.

*Holders of People’s Republic of China Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card & Residence Permit : the holders can enjoy multiple-entry business visit to (mainland) China for up to 60 days each entry.

With the two valid certificates, foreigners can stay in China, and enter & exit multiple times without applying a Chinese Visa. The Permanent ID Card means you are a permanent resident in China. If you’ve obtained China D/Z/J1/J2/S1/X1 Visa, you should apply for a Residence Permit from the local Public Security Bureau within 30 days upon arrival.

(10) Visa-free in China Border Area - Russia & Kazakhstan

*Residents of Amur Oblast, Russia can enjoy one day visa-free visit to Heihe in Heilongjiang Province, Northeastern China.

*Russians (with at least 2 members totally) can have 15-day visa-free visit to Suifenhe, Heilongjiang Province.

*Kazakhstan citizens can visit Tacheng of Xinjiang visa free for 3 days.

Who can Travel to Hong Kong without Visa？

Hong Kong provide visa waiver program for tourists and transit visitors from 170 foreign countries/regions , for a stay not exceeding permitted duration, from 7 days, 14 days, 30 days, 90 days and 180 days at most. That means, once your nationality is on the Visa-free list of Hong Kong, you can simply bring your passport, enter and stay in Hong Kong visa free within certain days.

Please note that, Indians need to make a pre-arrival registration to enjoy 14-days visa-free visiting in Hong Kong. Besides, if you visit Hong Kong for other purposes (like for business, work, study...), or want to stay longer than allowed time when travelling, a visa/entry permit is required before arrival. Does UK citizen need visa for Hong Kong? Find answers in the following list.

Hong Kong Visa-free Period:

Tips: We only list part of the Hong Kong visa free countries. You can check more details and guide information in Hong Kong SAR Visa .

Popular Hong Kong Tours:

• ● 1 Day Valuable Hong Kong Tour
• ● 2 Days Essence of Hong Kong Tour (HK Island+Lantau Island)

Which Citizens Don't Need A Visa for Macau ?

Nationals from 79 countries (including U.S.A, UK, Australia, etc) are allowed to enter Macau SAR without applying a visa, if the visiting purpose is for travel or business. Under the visa exemption policy, foreigners may stay in Macau for 14 days, 90 days, 3 months, 6 months, and up to 1 year according to different identity.

Macau Visa-free Period:

Tips: Visit the Macau SAR Visa to get more useful visa (entry permit) guide and instruction for your trip to Macau.

Popular Macau Tours: 2 Days Hong Kong & Macau Highlights Tour

Travel China Visa Free with China Discovery

China Discovery is a professional and experienced travel companion who offers high-value and worry-free tours covering sightseeing, dining, transfer and hotel, etc. to Beijing , Shanghai , Xian , Chengdu , Hangzhou and more available destinations if you meet relevant visa requirements.

Popular China Visa-free Tours:

• ● 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour Package
• ● 5 Days Beijing Essence Tour with Real Hutong Life
• ● 3 Days Shanghai Past and Present Contrast Tour
• ● 3 Days Classic Xian Tour
• ● 3 Days Chengdu City Break including Panda Volunteering
• ● 3 Days Chengdu Highlights Tour

If you are interested in China visa-free tour, we could also customize a China Visa-free Tour in Beijing , Shanghai , Xian , Chengdu , Hangzhou and more available destinations if you meet relevant visa requirements.

Introduction to China Visa

• Ultimate China Visa Guide
• Do I Neee A Visa for China
• How to Read China Visa
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China Visa Exemptions

• 15 China Visa Free Policies
• 144-hour Visa Free in China
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Top 3 tours chosen by most customers to explore in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

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China announces visa-free travel for five European countries and Malaysia

China decided to offer visa-free entry to travelers holding ordinary passports from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia from December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning announced on Friday.

She said that citizens from those countries are able to enter China without a visa and stay for no more than 15 days for business, tourism, family visits and transit purposes.

China is going visa-free for visitors from two more countries

A fter locking down to almost all foreign visitors for over three years to curb the spread of the covid-19 pandemic, China is now taking big steps to revive its floundering tourism industry.

At the start of 2023, the country extended the visa-free travel policy it had introduced as a trial run for citizens of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland to visit for up to 15 days while also slackening some of the requirements for American tourists.

Related: China just made it a lot easier for Americans to visit

Instead of needing to show proof of accommodation prior to obtaining a visa, American citizens can now apply at an embassy with just one's work history and identifying documents.

While most English-speaking countries had previously been left out of China's visa-free program due to declining political relations with the United States and its allies, China just reversed course and announced that citizens of Australia and New Zealand can now also visit for up to 15 days with just a passport.

Chinese Premier promises 'five-year, multiple entry visas for tourism'

"We agreed to provide each other with reciprocal access to five-year multiple entry visas for tourism, business and visiting family members," People's Republic of China Premier Li Qiang announced during a visit with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. "China will also include Australia in its visa waiver program."

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The visa has the same rules as the ones China had made available to citizens of Malaysia and European countries. It is intended for short visits of up to 15 days while those looking to spend more time or work in the country need to apply for a visa at the Chinese embassy in their home country like before.

For even shorter visits, China also recently introduced and expanded its "List of Countries Eligible for the 72/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy" in which certain visitors can visit select cities such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area, Shanghai and Guangdong for no more than 144 hours. 

This is available to citizens of 53 countries that include the U.S., the United Kingdom and Australia although the later will now not need to use this as the expanded access is available from June 17.

Want to come to China for a short visit? Here is what you need to know

Australia has not yet announced the reciprocal visa to which Qiang alluded. Chinese citizens looking to enter the country currently need to apply for either a transit or visitor visa of either three, six or 12 months. 

Before the pandemic, China allowed visa-free entry only to citizens of Brunei, Singapore and Japan. The former two can now visit for up to 15 days without a visa while Japanese citizens now no longer have visa-free status. Due to a disagreement over the the status of the South China Sea, China has not reintroduced visa-free entry after opening up from the pandemic.

Related: A simple mistake nearly cost these two national park visitors their lives

In a sign of relations between the two countries, the U.S. Department of State presently  still has China under the Level Three "reconsider travel" due to what it says can be "arbitrary enforcement of local laws" and the "risk of wrongful detentions" of citizens of countries the Chinese government considers unfriendly.

Related: Veteran fund manager picks favorite stocks for 2024

China Says Visa-Free Travel Policy Has Boosted Tourism

FILE PHOTO: Travellers walk past an installation in the shape of five stars, at Beijing Daxing International Airport in Beijing, China April 24, 2023. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/file photo

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry said on Tuesday its visa-free travel policy has produced a clear effect, making things easier for travellers.

"Going forward, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to adjust visa policies to create more favourable conditions and further facilitate cross-border travel," spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a press briefing when asked for an update on tourism after China announced the policy, which covers several European countries and Malaysia.

The policy came into effect Dec. 1 and the ministry, citing immigration data, said about 7,000 of nearly 18,000 travellers from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia - the countries covered by the visa waiver - entered China in the first three days of the month.

Daily average tourist numbers from those countries have risen by 39% on the first three days of December compared to on the last day of November, Wang said.

Germany's ambassador to China had expressed hope that China would extend the measures to all European Union members.

(Reporting by Andrew Hayley; Writing by Liz Lee and Bernard Orr; Editing by Tom Hogue and Miral Fahmy)

Copyright 2023 Thomson Reuters .

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China Visa-Free Travel for Singaporeans Resumes on July 26, 2023

China to resume 15-day visa-free entry for Singaporeans

• Prevention and Control Requirements for China-bound Travelers (reference)

Travelling to China? Here are some helpful links!

In March 2020, following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, China ceased issuing visas to foreign individuals, and also put a hold on the 15-day visa-free privilege that was previously available to Singaporeans.

China has announced that it will resume visa-free travel for Singaporeans from July 26, 2023. This means that Singaporeans can now visit China for 15 days without a visa, for business, tourism, family visits, or transit purposes.

Note: China and Singapore are working on mutual 30-day visa-free travel between two countries as early as 2024. Note: Do take note of the below Covid-19 prevention guidelines if you are travelling to China.

Prevention and Control Requirements for China-bound Travelers ( reference )

• From 1st March 2023 (Singaporean time), Antigen Rapid Test (ART) results will be accepted for passengers flying directly from Singapore to China, replacing the need for a PCR test.
• Travelers must undertake a COVID-19 PCR test or an ART within 48 hours before boarding flights to China, and only those with a negative test result are allowed to travel.
• Passengers testing positive can only travel once they have a subsequent negative test result.
• Negative test results must be declared to China Customs, which can be done via the WeChat mini-program of China Customs, the official China Customs website, or their app.
• Airlines will not verify the negative PCR or ART test results of passengers.
• Wearing masks and maintaining personal hygiene throughout the flight is strongly recommended.
• On entry, travelers might undergo random health inspections by China Customs.
• Travelers showing symptoms or inconsistencies in their health declarations will be tested by China Customs. Positive cases will need to self-quarantine or follow the authority's medical advice.
• After entry into China, travelers must strictly adhere to the local epidemic prevention and control measures.

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• Nearly 2 million foreigners make visa-free visit to China from July to August

About 1.96 million foreign nationals entered China via visa-free polices from July to August, a 117 percent year-on-year increase, the National Immigration Administration announced on Tuesday.

A total of 110 million visits by domestic and foreign tourists have been recorded from July to August, marking a 30 percent increase compared to the same period last year, the National Immigration Administration added. Among them, foreign nationals made 10.89 million entries and exits, a 52.8 percent year-on-year increase.

Mainland residents accounted for about 55.38 million entries and exits, marking a 28.1 percent increase from the same period last year. Residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan had about 44 million entries and exits, a 27.6 percent year-on-year increase.

During the period, the average daily crossings reached nearly 1.78 million. The highest daily entry and exit volume was recorded on August 24, reaching nearly 2.24 million, accounting for 97.2 percent of the historic peak.

Additionally, the authorities also inspected a total of 5.64 million entries and exits of transportation planes, vehicles, ships and trains, a 32 percent increase from the same period last year.

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China Expanded Its 15-Day Visa-Free Travel Policy to 6 European Countries Including Switzerland

China has decided to expand its 15-day visa-free travel policy to six additional European countries on a trial basis, during the period between March 14 and November 30, 2024. 

On March 7, 2024, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that China will expand its 15-day visa-free entry policy to six additional European countries. These countries include Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

Between March 14 and November 30, 2024, ordinary passport holders from the mentioned countries can enter China without a visa for purposes such as business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit.

This move aligns with China’s commitment to facilitating procedures for foreigners to come to China for work, study, and travel, as stated in the 2024 Government Work Report . It is designed to further promote personnel exchanges between China and other countries.

“We hope more countries will also offer Chinese citizens visa facilitation and work with us to build fast-track networks for cross-border travels and encourage speedy resumption of international passenger flights,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a press conference on the sidelines of the Two Sessions.

Earlier in January 2024, in a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Swiss President Viola Amherd, China promised to grant unilateral visa-free access for Swiss citizens and the initiation of an FTA upgrade to strengthen diplomatic ties and economic collaboration between the two nations.

Countries with 15-day visa-free travel to China

In the past, citizens with a valid ordinary passport from Japan, Brunei, and Singapore have been permitted to travel to China for a period of up to 15 days without applying for a visa for tourism, business, visiting relatives and friends, or transiting to a third country. This policy was suspended when COVID-19 restrictions were strictly implemented in China.

On July 26, 2023, the 15-day visa-free travel to China policy was resumed for citizens of Brunei and Singapore, the latter of which has been upgraded to a 30-day visa-free travel since February 2024.

On November 24, 2023, China announced that its 15-day visa-free travel policy was expanded to five European countries and Malaysia. During the period from December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024, ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 15 days.

Then on March 7, 2024, China announced that it will expand its 15-day visa-free entry policy to another six European countries, including Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg. During the period from March 14 to November 30, 2024, ordinary passports holders from the above countries can enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 15 days.

To note, citizens from these countries would previously also have had to apply for a visa in advance if they:

• Expect to stay in China for more than 15 days; or
• Intend to study, work, settle down, or attend an interview in China.

At the time of writing, it’s still not clear when this policy will be resumed for citizens of Japan. This means citizens from Japan still need to apply for a Chinese tourist, business, or another type of visa to enter China at this time.

For more information related to China’s visa-free policy, please read our article:   China’s Visa-Free Policies: Latest Updates

China Briefing is written and produced by  Dezan Shira & Associates . The practice assists foreign investors into China and has done so since 1992 through offices in Beijing, Tianjin, Dalian, Qingdao, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Suzhou, Guangzhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. Please contact the firm for assistance in China at  [email protected] .

Dezan Shira & Associates also has offices in  Vietnam ,  Indonesia ,  Singapore ,  United States ,  Australia ,  Germany ,  Italy ,  India , and  Dubai (UAE).  We also have partner firms assisting foreign investors in  The Philippines ,  Malaysia ,  Thailand ,  Bangladesh .

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• INSTITUTIONS

TIANJIN, Sept. 5 -- This summer, China's visa-free entry policy has made the country a favored destination for international tourists. As more travelers share their Chinese experiences on social media, "China Travel" has surged to be a hot global social media trend.

As of July, China has implemented a 15-day visa-free entry policy for 15 countries on a trial basis and expanded its 144-hour visa-free transit policy to 37 ports of entry, offering citizens from 54 countries opportunities for short-term travel and business trips.

In north China's Tianjin Municipality, the visa-free policy has ignited interest among its foreign residents. Recently, more than 10 foreigners, organized by the Tianjin chapter of the European Chamber of Commerce in China, embarked on a tour of Tianjin's urban blocks at night, aboard bar-style sightseeing cars.

"I'm captivated by Tianjin's distinctive charm," said Mirko Turrina, general manager of Goglio (Tianjin) Packaging Co., Ltd. "With the increasing convenience for foreigners in Tianjin, I'm eager to invite more international clients to explore this vibrant city."

Even after years of working and living in Tianjin, Turrina did not want to miss the chance to immerse himself in the city's allure. As a gentle breeze and soft lighting set the mood, Turrina savored a cocktail while gazing out at the passing scenery. The beautiful, European-style buildings created a backdrop that flowed by, evoking a sense of relaxation and comfort.

"It's like being in Europe," said Nicolas Neumann from Germany, son of Joerg Neumann, general manager of TURCK (Tianjin) Technology Ltd. The young man was particularly impressed by the convenience of the visa-free entry policy.

"This is my first visit to Tianjin. China's visa-free entry policy is very convenient for foreigners. I quickly completed all the entry procedures. I hope more people will have the opportunity to visit China," said Nicolas Neumann.

"Tianjin has made good use of its tourism resources, including rivers, seas, mountains, buildings and ports, to create a unique 'intellectual property,'" said Chen Bing, deputy head of Tianjin municipal bureau of culture and tourism.

"The ancient and modern beauty of the Haihe River and the European-style buildings have become the preferred choice for many foreign tourists during their trips to the city," Chen added.

In addition, leveraging its international cruise home port, Tianjin has made significant efforts to develop the cruise tourism economy. The city is also taking full advantage of the visa-free transit policy and the medical payment convenience policy to enhance the service capabilities for foreigners.

Recently, a tour group of three Bulgarian tourists boarded the AIDA Mediterranean cruise and arrived at Tianjin. They completed the entry procedures at the entry window within just five minutes.

"We are very happy to benefit from China's visa-free entry policy, which allows us to visit the beautiful country without any trouble or worries," said Bulgarian tourist Dimitrova.

Since the resumption of cruise services in Tianjin at the end of September last year, the city has inspected more than 440,000 passengers and over 190 cruise ships entering and leaving the port.

In the first seven months of this year, the number of foreign visitors to China soared 129.9 percent year-on-year to 17.25 million, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA).

Additionally, foreign visitors are estimated to boost consumption to a total of over 100 billion yuan (about 14 billion U.S. dollars), with a per capita daily average consumption volume reaching nearly 3,500 yuan, according to the NIA.

Through favorable measures such as the visa-free entry policy, more accessible mobile payment and the full coverage of foreign card POS machines in key tourism scenes, China has shown its goodwill and sincerity to the world and attracted more foreign tourists, said Ma Yiliang, chief statistician of the China Tourism Academy.

"With the more convenient experience in China, foreign tourists can learn a more open, confident and safe China during their travels," said Ma.

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