China

1. Passport Requirements

• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into China.
• It should have at least two blank pages for entry stamps and visa sticker.
• Machine-readable passports are required for visa-exempt entry and visa applications.
• Passport must not be damaged or expired – immigration officers can refuse entry.

2. Visa or Visa Exemption – What You Need Depends on Your Nationality

China has strict visa policies, but offers visa exemption for certain nationalities and entry points in 2026.

• Visa-exempt nationalities (short stay – ordinary passports only) (38 countries as of March 2026): Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 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, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
  
  → Visa-free entry for tourism/business up to 15 days (some up to 30 days depending on bilateral agreement).
  → Must enter/exit via approved ports (major international airports and selected land/sea ports).
  → No extensions for tourism purposes; must leave before expiry.


• Visa-exempt transit (144/72/24-hour TWOV – Transit Without Visa) (almost all nationalities worldwide except the following excluded countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen)
  
  → Eligible for 144-hour or 72-hour visa-free transit at designated cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Hangzhou, Kunming, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xiamen, Xi'an and others).
  → Must have confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region (not returning to origin country).
  → 24-hour TWOV available at many other ports/airports.
  → No application needed – granted on arrival if conditions met.


• Visa required / e-Visa / Port Visa (nationalities not covered by visa exemption or transit rules, i.e. the excluded countries listed above plus any not qualifying for TWOV)
  
  → Apply for a tourist visa (L visa) at a Chinese embassy/consulate or via limited e-Visa channels before travel.
  → Processing time: 4–15 working days (express options available).
  → Required documents: passport, photos, invitation letter (if needed), itinerary, proof of funds/onward ticket.
  → Port visa (on arrival): available only at very limited airports and not recommended due to uncertainty and strict conditions.

Quick check: Official visa policy & exemption → Chinese Visa Application Service Center or Ministry of Foreign Affairs

3. Length of Stay

• Visa-free (select nationalities): 15–30 days (non-extendable for tourism).
• Visa-free transit: 24/72/144 hours (strictly no extension; must leave to third country).
• Tourist visa (L): usually 30–60 days (single/double/multiple entry), extendable once (apply at local PSB Exit-Entry Administration).
• You cannot work or study long-term without separate visas (e.g. Z work visa, X student visa).
• Frequent visa runs may lead to refusal or blacklisting.

4. Other Important Requirements

• Proof of onward/return ticket — almost always checked at check-in and immigration.
• Proof of accommodation (hotel booking) and sufficient funds — frequently requested (especially for visa applications).
• No COVID-19 vaccination/testing/quarantine required (rules fully removed since 2023).
• Customs: Declare cash over USD 5,000 (or equivalent), restricted items (drones, certain medicines, food, plants, weapons, etc.). Fill out customs declaration on arrival.
• Fingerprinting & photo: taken on arrival for most non-Chinese nationals.
• Real-name registration: Hotels and SIM cards require passport registration.

5. Practical Tips for a Smooth Trip

• If eligible for visa-free entry/transit – confirm your nationality and entry port on official sites to avoid surprises.
• Apply for visa well in advance if not exempt – especially during peak seasons.
• Complete the China Digital Arrival Card online before travel to save time at immigration.
• Verify latest rules directly on official sites (rules can change frequently):
  → Chinese Visa Application: www.visaforchina.cn
  → Ministry of Foreign Affairs: www.fmprc.gov.cn
  → China National Immigration Administration: en.nia.gov.cn
  → China Tourism: www.cnto.org
• Admission is at the discretion of immigration officers – answer questions honestly and have documents ready.
• Avoid overstaying – fines start at CNY 500/day + possible detention/deportation/ban (5+ years for serious cases).

Safe travels to China — whether you're heading to Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Guilin, Chengdu, Hong Kong or the Great Wall!