How to Travel to China Without a Visa if You’re from a Non-Visa-Free Country?

Excited to explore China but deterred by the visa process? Wanna discover how you can travel to China without a visa? You might be in luck. If you are from a country that does not have visa-free access to China, let's explore what options might allow you to travel to China without applying for a visa.

China offers various options for visa-free entry¹ even if you are from a Non-Visa-Free Country. With opportunities like the 24-hour and 240-hour transit visa exemptions, you can explore China for short or medium durations without a visa.

What Is the 24-Hour Transit Visa Exemption?

Transiting through China could allow you a short break. China implements a 24-hour transit visa-free policy at all open ports for personnel from all countries.

Foreign nationals holding valid international travel documents and confirmed onward tickets can transit through China via international flights, ships, or trains to a third country or region without needing a visa, as long as you do not stay in China for more than 24 hours and do not leave the designated port areas.

If you need to leave the designated port areas, must apply for a temporary entry permit from the border inspection authorities at the port.

This is an ideal option for travelers with long layovers, allowing them to explore nearby city attractions without the hassle of a visa.

How Does the 240-Hour Transit Visa Exemption Work?

Planning a medium-length visit? China offers a 240-hour (10 Days) transit visa-free policy² for travelers from 55 countries.

The transit visa-free stay for foreign nationals has been extended from the original 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours, which is 10 days visa-free, and cross-regional travel is permitted.

Activities like tourism, business visits, and family reunions are allowed, but work, study, and journalism require visas.

Eligible Countries

Region	Countries
Europe (40 countries)	Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway
Americas (6 countries)	United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
Oceania (2 countries)	Australia, New Zealand
Asia (7 countries)	South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, UAE, Qatar, Indonesia

This policy opens up opportunities to explore major Chinese cities and provinces without a visa, offering cultural and business interactions.

Applicable Ports and Regions

Eligible travelers can enter through 60 ports across 24 provinces, including major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

Province/City	Port	Activity Area
Beijing	Capital Int'l Airport / Daxing Int'l Airport	Beijing
Tianjin	Binhai Int'l Airport / Tianjin Seaport (Passenger)	Tianjin
Hebei	Shijiazhuang Zhengding Int'l Airport / Qinhuangdao Seaport (Passenger)	Hebei Province
Liaoning	Shenyang Taoxian Int'l Airport / Dalian Zhoushuizi Int'l Airport / Dalian Seaport (Passenger)	Liaoning Province
Shanghai	Hongqiao Int'l Airport / Pudong Int'l Airport / Shanghai Seaport (Passenger)	Shanghai
Jiangsu	Nanjing Lukou Int'l Airport / Sunan Shuofang Int'l Airport / Yangzhou Taizhou Int'l Airport / Lianyungang Seaport (Passenger)	Jiangsu Province
Zhejiang	Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int'l Airport / Ningbo Lishe Int'l Airport / Wenzhou Longwan Int'l Airport / Yiwu Airport / Wenzhou Port (Passenger) / Zhoushan Port (Passenger)	Zhejiang Province
Anhui	Hefei Xinqiao Int'l Airport / Huangshan Tunxi Int'l Airport	Anhui Province
Fujian	Fuzhou Changle Int'l Airport / Xiamen Gaoqi Int'l Airport / Quanzhou Jinjiang Int'l Airport / Wuyishan Airport / Xiamen Seaport (Passenger)	Fujian Province
Shandong	Jinan Yaoqiang Int'l Airport / Qingdao Jiaodong Int'l Airport / Yantai Penglai Int'l Airport / Weihai Dashuibo Int'l Airport / Qingdao Seaport (Passenger)	Shandong Province
Henan	Zhengzhou Xinzheng Int'l Airport	Henan Province
Hubei	Wuhan Tianhe Int'l Airport	Hubei Province
Hunan	Changsha Huanghua Int'l Airport / Zhangjiajie Hehua Int'l Airport	Hunan Province
Guangdong	Guangzhou Baiyun Int'l Airport / Shenzhen Baoan Int'l Airport / Jieyang Chaoshan Int'l Airport / Nansha Port (Passenger) / Shekou Port (Passenger)	Guangdong Province (Departure is possible from all open ports across the province.)
Hainan	Haikou Meilan Int'l Airport / Sanya Phoenix Int'l Airport	Hainan Province
Chongqing	Chongqing Jiangbei Int'l Airport	Chongqing
Guizhou	Guiyang Longdongbao Int'l Airport	Guizhou Province
Shaanxi	Xi'an Xianyang Int'l Airport	Shaanxi Province
Shanxi	Taiyuan Wusu Int'l Airport	Taiyuan City, Datong City
Heilongjiang	Harbin Taiping Int'l Airport	Harbin City
Jiangxi	Nanchang Changbei Int'l Airport	Nanchang City, Jingdezhen City
Guangxi	Nanning Wuxu Int'l Airport / Guilin Liangjiang Int'l Airport / Beihai Fucheng Airport / Beihai Seaport (Passenger)	Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, Laibin (totaling 12 cities).
Sichuan	Chengdu Shuangliu Int'l Airport / Chengdu Tianfu Int'l Airport	Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Ya'an, Meishan, Ziyang (totaling 11 cities).
Yunnan	Kunming Changshui Int'l Airport / Lijiang Sanyi Int'l Airport / Mohan Railway Port	Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu'er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, Lijiang (totaling 9 cities and prefectures).

This 10-day China visa exemption³ policy is perfect for travelers looking to experience China’s vibrant culture and modernity without visa constraints.

Can You Visit Hong Kong or Macau Without a Visa?

An alternate route to experience China’s culture is through its Special Administrative Regions (SARs).

Most nationalities can enter Hong Kong or Macau without a visa for stays ranging from 7 to 180 days, depending on nationality.

Hong Kong and Macau offer unique blends of British, Portuguese, and Chinese cultures, making them excellent travel destinations on their own or as entry points into mainland China.

Hong Kong and Macau Entry

• Visa-Free Entry: Nationals from most countries.
• Stay Duration: Varies by nationality (usually 7–180 days).
• Explore: Blend of cultures, shopping, and cuisine.

Although distinct from mainland China, these regions provide great insight into the diverse ways of Chinese living.

Planning a Trip to Hainan? New 59-Country Visa-Free Policy Might Be Your Ticket!

Hainan, a special Free Trade Port, often referred to as China’s Hawaii, is perfect for beach lovers and those seeking a different side of China.

Are you dreaming of a tropical getaway but dreading visa applications? Good news! A new policy could make your Hainan trip easier than ever.

Citizens of 59 countries can enter Hainan Free Trade Port visa-exemption for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, medical reasons, conferences, and sports events (excluding work or study).

So, if you're from one of the lucky countries, pack your bags! But first, let’s get into the details.

Which Countries Are Included in the Visa-Free Program?

Are you curious if your country made the list? Don't worry, I'll tell you.

59 countries now have visa-free access to Hainan. But some of these countries don't have other visa-free agreements with China. This Hainan policy is their only visa-free option.

Let's talk about it more deeply. The 59 countries included in the visa-free program are listed below:

Country	Country	Country	Country	Country
Argentina	Australia	Austria	Belgium	Brazil
Canada	Chile	Czech Republic	Denmark	Finland
France	Germany	Greece	Hungary	Iceland
Indonesia	Ireland	Italy	Japan	Kazakhstan
Latvia	Lithuania	Luxembourg	Malaysia	Malta
Mexico	Monaco	Netherlands	New Zealand	Norway
Philippines	Poland	Portugal	Republic of Korea	Russia
Singapore	Slovakia	Slovenia	Spain	Sweden
Switzerland	Thailand	United Arab Emirates	Ukraine	United Kingdom
United States of America

What does this mean for you? It means if you're from one of these countries and don't have other visa-free options for China, this is your chance!

You can explore Hainan for up to 30 days without dealing with the hassle of a visa.

For travelers from Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, North America, and Europe, this opens a fantastic opportunity to explore Hainan's unique offerings.

How Does Hainan Free Trade Port Visa-Free Policy Work?

Looking to relax on a tropical island? Hainan Free Trade Port⁴ offers a visa-free policy for visitors from 85 countries.

From June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026, a trial visa-free policy is implemented for ordinary passport holders from countries such as Brazil and Argentina. Additionally, from June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026, the same policy is applied to ordinary passport holders from countries such as Saudi Arabia and Oman.

With this, the visa-free policy for 59 countries, combined with the nationwide applicable bilateral comprehensive mutual visa exemption policy (27 countries) and the unilateral visa-free policy (47 countries), results in a total of 85 countries whose ordinary passport holders can enter Hainan Free Trade Port without a visa.

Hainan’s relaxed entry requirements, coupled with its natural beauty, make it an attractive destination for international tourists.

How Can You Get to Hainan Visa-Free?

Do you know the best way to take advantage of this new visa-free policy? The answer may surprise you!

Direct flights are available from Russia, the UK, and Indonesia. Citizens from the other countries can transit through cities like Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, or Bangkok to reach Hainan.

Let's break down the options more. Hainan has several international airports (Haikou Meilan, Sanya Phoenix, and Qionghai Bo'ao) and ports (Yangpu, Haikou, Qinglan, Basuo, and Sanya). You can arrive through any of these.

Now, let's talk about getting there. If you're from Russia, the UK, or Indonesia, you're in luck! You can catch a direct flight to Hainan. But what if you're from another eligible country? Don't worry, you can still use the visa-free policy! You'll just need to transit through a city with direct flights to Hainan, like Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, or Bangkok.

This opens up many possibilities for travelers around the world. Whether you're interested in a customized private tour⁵, a group tour, or an off-the-beaten-path adventure, Hainan has something for everyone.

Remember, we Travel West China, specializes in creating unique and flexible tour arrangements. We can help you plan your visa-free Hainan getaway!

What Can You Do in Hainan Free Trade Port?

Are you still confused about what kinds of activities are available in Hainan? Don't worry, I will show you a few.

You can enjoy beaches, explore culture, conduct business, visit family, get medical treatment, attend conferences, or participate in sports. Work and study are the only exceptions.

Let's explore the possibilities further. Hainan offers a wide range of activities.

Are you a beach lover? Relax on the beautiful sandy shores and soak up the sun. Do you want to experience local culture? Visit temples, explore traditional villages, and taste the unique Hainanese cuisine.

If you're a business traveler, Hainan is becoming a hub for trade and investment. The island also boasts modern medical facilities for those seeking medical treatment.

International conferences and sports events are also common in Hainan. Remember, though, this visa-free policy doesn't cover work or study. If you're planning to work or study in Hainan, you'll still need to apply for the appropriate visa.

Conclusion

Traveling to China without a visa is possible under certain conditions, such as through transit visa exemptions or visiting specific regions with relaxed entry policies.

Understanding these scenarios can help you plan your travel without the need for a visa, saving time and effort in paperwork.

For those who are here on holiday, China has so much to offer. We can arrange customized China tours⁶ to fit your interests, whether you're traveling solo, with family, or in a group. This visa-free policy is a great way for travelers from Malaysia, Thailand, and other countries to explore China's hidden paradise!

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