© 2018-2025
The People's Republic of China has recently streamlined its entry regulations for many international travelers. Before commencing travel arrangements, it is imperative to ascertain visa eligibility.
Visa-Free Entry Determination:
China's updated policies grant visa-free access to nationals of select countries, including but not limited to the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand, contingent upon fulfillment of specific criteria.
Thirty-Day Visa-Free Policy:
A thirty-day visa-free entry policy is currently in effect for citizens of numerous countries until the conclusion of 2025. This unilateral policy extends to the following:
Europe: 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, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Asia: Brunei, Japan, South Korea.
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.
Furthermore, a reciprocal thirty-day visa-free arrangement, without temporal limitations, exists with Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and other nations maintaining mutual visa exemption agreements with China.
Ten-Day Visa-Free Transit Policy
Hong Kong and Macau Entry Regulations:
The administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau maintain distinct entry policies.
Hong Kong: Hong Kong's historically liberal entry policies, established under British administration, remain largely in effect. Citizens of approximately 160 countries are granted visa-free access for periods ranging from seven to 180 days. Further details can be found in the following document: [Insert link to Hong Kong visa policy].
Macau: Macau's entry regulations are more stringent compared to Hong Kong. The permissible visa-free stay varies considerably by nationality. Specific details are available in the Macau visa policy document. [Insert link to Macau visa policy]. Examples of visa-free durations are:
Fourteen Days: Brunei.
Thirty Days: Australia, Canada, Chile, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Malaysia, Monaco, Namibia, New Zealand, Philippines, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, United States of America, Uruguay.
Ninety Days: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominica, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Mali, Malta, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania.
One Hundred and Eighty Days: United Kingdom.
One Year: Holders of a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card or Hong Kong SAR Re-entry Permit. (*Note: Valid Hong Kong Identity Card holders must present their passport or equivalent travel documentation upon entry to Macau)
Visa Requirements: Nationals of Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam require a visa prior to arrival in Macau. Visa-on-arrival is no longer applicable. Exceptions may apply to diplomatic passport holders and designated officials of international organizations based in China, and their dependents. These individuals may apply for an entry permit upon arrival, providing necessary documentation.
Pearl River Delta Six-Day Visa Exemption:
Eligibility: International travelers originating from Hong Kong and/or Macau.
Authorized Destinations: Municipalities within the Pearl River Delta conurbation: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Huizhou, and Shantou.
Application Protocol: Participation mandates engagement with a registered travel agency. Tour groups must comprise a minimum of three and a maximum of forty participants, inclusive of a designated tour guide. Alternative visa-free entry options to mainland China are detailed in subsequent sections.
Six-Day Guilin Visa Exemption for ASEAN Tour Groups:
Eligibility: Citizens of ASEAN member states (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Republic of Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam).
Authorized Destination: Guilin.
Shanghai Fifteen-Day Visa-Free Policy for Cruise Groups:
Eligibility: Inbound foreign tourist groups arriving and departing via a Shanghai cruise vessel.
Authorized Destinations: Shanghai, in addition to several coastal municipalities (Beijing and Tianjin) and provinces (Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan).
Requirements: Cruise arrival and departure are obligatory. Designated Chinese travel agency facilitation at the Shanghai Cruise Terminal (or Wusong Passenger Center) is required.
Hainan Thirty-Day Visa-Free Access:
Eligibility: Holders of ordinary passports from fifty-nine specified countries, including (but not limited to) the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
Authorized Destination: Hainan Island.
Requirements: Tour arrangements must be undertaken through a Hainan Province-registered travel agency accredited by the National Tourism Administration of China.
APEC Business Travel Card Holders:
Eligibility: Possession of a valid Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card.
Permitted Duration: Sixty-day entry is permitted without visa application.
Holders of Foreigner Residence Permits:
Eligibility: Possession of a permanent residence certificate issued by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) of the People's Republic of China.
Visa Requirement: No visa is required. Foreign nationals residing in China for purposes of study, employment, or as resident correspondents must obtain a Foreigner Residence Permit from the MPS within one month of arrival.