China Visa-Free Policy: Who Qualifies for China’s Visa-Free Entry?

Worried about visa hassles for your China trip? Good news! China's new visa-free policy might just be your ticket in.

The Visa-Free policy allows citizens of 74 countries to visit China for up to 30 days without a visa for tourism, business, family visits, or transit.

This opens up amazing opportunities for exploring China's wonders. Maybe you are curious if the policy applies to you, or what the conditions are. Let’s get into it.

Which Countries are Eligible for China's Visa-Free Policy?

Wondering if your country is on the list? Let's break down the 47 countries/regions now enjoying visa-free access to mainland China.

China's visa-free policy now covers 37 European countries, 17 Asian countries, 6 Oceanian countries, 12 American countries and 2 African countries. However, some countries have temporary validity periods.

Region	Countries	Validity
Europe	France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria, Romania, Malta, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Estonia, Latvia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Belarus, San Marino	Permanent
Asia	Brunei, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Maldives, Armenia, Georgia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan	Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain: June 9, 2025 - June 8, 2026. Other: Permanent
Oceania	Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Samo, Solomon Islands	Permanent
Americas	Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Barbados, Bahamas, Grenada, Antigua, Barbuda, Dominica, Suriname	Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay: June 1, 2025 - May 31, 2026. Other: Permanent
Africa	Mauritius, Seychelles	Permanent

This is a great opportunity! If you're from one of these countries, you can explore China for up to 30 days without the visa hassle.

What Does China's Visa-Free Entry Mean for Your Trip?

Struggling to figure out if you're eligible for visa-free entry¹ to China? It's simpler than you might think!

Citizens from 74 countries with ordinary passports can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, exchange, or transit.

This includes countries like Malaysia, France, Germany, and many more.

To break it down, let’s consider some specific situations:

• Nationality: Make sure your country is on the list of 74 eligible nations.
• Passport: You will need an ordinary passport with at least enough validity for your intended stay.
• Purpose of Visit: You'll need to be travelling for business, tourism, family visits, exchange, or transit.
• Duration: Your stay must be 30 days or less.
• Activities: You can't work, study, or do journalistic work in China without a visa.

Factor	Requirement
Nationality	Must be a citizen of one of the 74 eligible countries
Passport	Ordinary passport valid for the duration of your stay
Purpose	Tourism, business, family/friend visits, exchange, or transit
Duration	30 days2 or less
Activities	No work, study, journalistic activities

What About the Details of Entering China Without a Visa?

Confused about the specifics of entering China without a visa? Don’t worry, I’ll explain more.

When entering China without a visa, border officials may ask about your reason for travel and check your documents.

While you don't need to apply in advance, it's smart to have proof of your trip, like hotel bookings and return tickets.

Here are the key aspects to consider:

• Declaration: You don't need to declare your trip to a Chinese embassy or consulate in advance.
• Border Inspection: Be prepared to explain the purpose of your visit to border officials. They might ask for supporting documents.
• Required Documents: Keep your passport valid and bring along supporting materials such as invitation letters, flight tickets, and hotel reservations.
• Restricted Activities: This policy is not for those coming to China for work, study, or journalistic purposes.
• Minors: Visa-free requirements for minors are the same as for adults.

With the visa-free policy, travel agents can now easily travel to China to check the quality of the tours and meet with local partners without the hassle of applying for a visa.

But, if you plan to visit Tibet, you still need a Tibet Travel Permit³. And you need to book your tour in advance through us, or other local travel agencies.

What If I Want to Stay Longer Than 30 Days?

Worried about what to do if you want to extend your stay beyond 30 days? Don’t worry, there are some simple steps.

If you want to stay in China longer than 30 days, you need to apply for a visa that matches your travel purpose before you arrive.

If something comes up while you're in China, you can apply for a stay permit with the local public security authorities.

• Visa Application Before Arrival: If you know you want to stay longer than 30 days, apply for a China visa at the Chinese Embassy⁴ or consulate in your country.
• Extending Your Stay: You should apply for a stay permit as soon as you know you will need to stay longer than 30 days.
• Multiple Entries: The visa waiver allows multiple entries, and there are no restrictions on the number of entries.

Situation	Action
Planned stay > 30 days	Apply for a visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate before traveling
Unplanned stay > 30 days	Apply for a stay permit with the local public security authorities in China

China's visa-free policy simplifies travel for many. It provides a great chance to explore China⁵.

Conclusion

Whether visiting urban hubs or sweeping landscapes, China’s visa-free policies offer flexible travel options. Take advantage of the visa exemptions to experience China’s rich heritage and dynamic modernity without the bureaucratic hurdles of a visa.

As a tour operator based in Lhasa and Chengdu, specializing in tours to Guizhou, Xinjiang, Tibet, Sichuan, and beyond in West China, we are always looking for ways to make travel to China easier. This visa-free policy is a game-changer for many of our potential clients!

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