Visa Guide for Travelers to China

Complete guide to entering China as a foreign visitor. Updated visa policies and requirements.

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🇨🇳 China Visa Guide · 2025 Edition

China has significantly expanded its visa-free policies, making it easier than ever for foreign tourists to visit.

74
Countries with 30-Day Visa-Free
55
Countries with 240-Hour Transit Visa
60
Designated Ports Across 24 Provinces

✅ 30‑Day Visa‑Free Entry

Citizens from 74 countries - Tourism, Business, Family Visits, Transit

Citizens from 74 countries may enter mainland China without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, or transit. The stay is single-entry and non-extendable.

Eligible Countries:

🇫🇷France
🇩🇪Germany
🇮🇹Italy
🇪🇸Spain
🇳🇱Netherlands
🇧🇪Belgium
🇦🇹Austria
🇸🇪Sweden
🇩🇰Denmark
🇫🇮Finland
🇳🇴Norway
🇬🇧United Kingdom
🇨🇭Switzerland
🇵🇹Portugal
🇬🇷Greece
🇵🇱Poland
🇨🇿Czechia
🇭🇺Hungary
🇷🇴Romania
🇧🇬Bulgaria
🇸🇮Slovenia
🇸🇰Slovakia
🇮🇪Ireland
🇲🇹Malta
🇭🇷Croatia
🇷🇸Serbia
🇲🇪Montenegro
🇲🇰North Macedonia
🇦🇱Albania
🇦🇷Argentina
🇧🇷Brazil
🇨🇱Chile
🇵🇪Peru
🇺🇾Uruguay
🇸🇬Singapore
🇲🇾Malaysia
🇧🇳Brunei
🇳🇿New Zealand
🇦🇺Australia
🇯🇵Japan
🇸🇦Saudi Arabia
🇴🇲Oman
🇧🇭Bahrain
🇰🇼Kuwait
🇦🇿Azerbaijan
🇪🇨Ecuador
🇦🇬Antigua & Barbuda
🇧🇧Barbados
🇧🇸Bahamas
🇼🇸Samoa
🇹🇴Tonga
🇫🇯Fiji
🇲🇺Mauritius
🇸🇨Seychelles

Always confirm your eligibility with the nearest Chinese embassy or visa center before departure.

🛫 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit (TWOV)

55 countries - Up to 10 days transit through China

Travelers from 55 countries can transit through China without a visa for up to 10 days (240 hours), if they:

  • • Arrive from a third country and depart to a different third country
  • • Enter and exit via one of 60 designated ports
  • • Stay within 24 approved provinces/municipalities

Eligible Countries:

All 26 Schengen countries, plus:

🇬🇧UK
🇺🇸USA
🇨🇦Canada
🇲🇽Mexico
🇧🇷Brazil
🇦🇷Argentina
🇨🇱Chile
🇯🇵Japan
🇰🇷South Korea
🇸🇬Singapore
🇧🇳Brunei
🇮🇩Indonesia
🇦🇺Australia
🇳🇿New Zealand
🇷🇺Russia
🇦🇪UAE
🇸🇦Saudi Arabia
🇶🇦Qatar
🇰🇼Kuwait
🇴🇲Oman
🇧🇭Bahrain
🇺🇿Uzbekistan

Pro Tip: Booking RT flights (A→China→A) for TWOV is invalid. You need A→China→B routing.

🛬 Designated Ports (60 ports across 24 provinces)

To use TWOV, travelers must enter and exit through one of these air, rail, or sea ports

Beijing

PEK, PKX

Tianjin

Binhai Intl + Tianjin seaport

Shanghai

PVG, SHA + Shanghai cruise port

Guangdong

CAN, SZX, Jieyang, Nansha, Shekou

Chongqing

Jiangbei

Sichuan

Chengdu Tianfu, Chengdu Shuangliu

Jiangsu

Nanjing, Wuxi, Yangzhou

Zhejiang

Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Yiwu

Shandong

Jinan, Qingdao, Yantai, Weihai

Fujian

Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou

Hainan

Haikou, Sanya

Yunnan

Kunming, Lijiang, Mohan rail port

Guangxi

Nanning, Guilin, Beihai

Hunan

Changsha, Zhangjiajie

Hubei

Wuhan

Henan

Zhengzhou

Anhui

Hefei, Huangshan

Jiangxi

Nanchang

Shanxi

Taiyuan

Heilongjiang

Harbin

Liaoning

Shenyang, Dalian

Hebei

Shijiazhuang

Guizhou

Guiyang

Shaanxi

Xi'an

Note: Travelers may move across the entire province(s) they enter, provided they don't exceed the 240-hour limit.

Still Need a Regular Visa?

Tourist Visa (L Visa)

  • • Valid for 30, 60, or 90 days
  • • Single or multiple entries
  • • Process time: 4-10 business days
  • • Required documents: passport, photos, itinerary

Business Visa (M Visa)

  • • For business meetings & conferences
  • • Requires invitation letter
  • • Multiple entry options available
  • • Valid for 30, 60, or 90 days

💡 Tip: Check with your nearest Chinese consulate for the most current visa requirements and processing times.

🛂 Immigration Walkthrough

What to expect at Chinese immigration

  • • Deplane → Immigration → Baggage Claim → Customs
  • • Be prepared for fingerprint scanning
  • • English customs forms may still be required
  • • Common questions: purpose of visit, duration, accommodation

🧳 Arrival Survival Guide

Essential first steps after landing

📱 SIM & Internet

Buy eSIM or SIM card at the airport; roaming eSIMs are firewall-free

🚇 Transport

Use metro, airport express, or Didi (install in advance)

🏧 ATM

ICBC, Bank of China support most international debit/credit cards

📲 Apps

Install translation, offline maps, Alipay, WeChat before landing

💳 Digital Payment Tips

How to pay in China as a foreigner

  • • Foreign cards can now link with Alipay and WeChat Pay
  • • Use Alipay's "Tour Pass" or WeChat's "Quick Pay" for tourists
  • • Use UnionPay QR at convenience stores and taxis

❌ Common Pitfalls

Avoid these common mistakes

  • • Booking RT flights (A→China→A) for TWOV — invalid
  • • Missing documents or unclear trip intent
  • • Visiting China without backup payment or VPN
  • • Confusing Hong Kong/Macau visas with China entry

🌐 VPN & Internet Access

Staying connected in China

  • • Google, YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp are blocked by the Great Firewall
  • • Download a VPN before arrival
  • • eSIMs with international roaming generally bypass the firewall
  • • Baidu Maps, WeChat, Weibo are viable local alternatives

🚨 Emergency Situations

Important contacts and procedures

📄 Lost Passport

Contact your embassy and local police ASAP

🏥 Medical

Use large public hospitals in major cities (most accept UnionPay)

👮 Police

Dial 110 (emergency); some cities offer English-speaking lines

🚑 Ambulance

Dial 120

📋 Policy Comparison

Quick comparison of visa-free options

Policy Countries Max Stay Entry Type Requirements
30-Day Visa-Free 74 30 days Single-entry Passport, travel purpose
240-Hour Transit Visa 55 10 days Transit only Onward ticket, passport, 60 ports

✈️ Visa Application (for non-visa-free travelers)

For longer stays or non-eligible countries

  • • Documents: Passport, itinerary, recent photos, bank proof, employer/student letter
  • • Schedule an appointment at your local CVASC
  • • Avoid "visa agents" unless verified

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