China Visa Free Guide for Visa Exemptions to China

Planning a trip to China and wondering which countries are visa free to China? If you’re from one of the lucky countries on the China visa free countries, you might not need a visa. This guide will outline the countries that enjoy China visa free travel to Mainland China and provide essential information about visa-free transit options.

 

Countries with Mutual Visa Exemption Agreements with China

China has established mutual visa exemption agreements with several countries. This means citizens from these countries can enter Mainland China without obtaining a visa for a specific duration.

Extension of this rule varies based on the country. Check with your respective China embassy in your country to check whether the rule is still valid.

 

Countries with 30-day Visa Free Trip to China

Duration of stay allowed: 30 days

Purpose of visit: tourism, travel, business, visit family/friends.

Other purpose or duration, will need to apply for the right visa matching their purpose of stay in China.

 

List of countries with mutual visa exception agreements with China to stay up to 30 days visa-free:

  • Andorra
  • Armenia
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Barbados
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • Estonia
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Grenada
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Luxembourg
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Mauritius
  • Monaco
  • Montenegro
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • North Macedonia
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • San Marino
  • Serbia
  • Seychelles
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Suriname
  • Switzerland
  • Thailand
  • The Bahamas
  • The Maldives
  • The United Arab Emirates

 

Reciprocal Visa exemption countries with China:

  • As of February 9 2024, Singapore is exempted from visa for stays up to 30 days in China.
  • Effective March 2024, Thailand signed a mutual visa free agreement with China for stays up to 30 days in China.
  • Effective November 30, 2024; China added 38 countries to the 30 days Visa Free Trip to China list until December 31, 2025.

 

How to count the 30 days for 30-day Visa Free Trip in China?

From the day you entered China until midnight China time of the 30th day after the entry.

 

Countries with 15-day Visa Free Trip to China

Effective November 30, 2024 (and until December 31, 2025); China has extended agreement from 15 days visa-free to 30 days visa-free to citizens of the above stated list of countries. 

 

Transit Visa

If you’re transiting through China, you may be eligible for a transit visa. This allows you to stay in China for a limited period without obtaining a regular tourist visa.

Note: Country before and after China need to be different. This is for travelers in transit only eg travelers must show a connecting ticket to a third country when arriving in China.

 

Visa-free transit is currently available to 54 nationalities including:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Russia
  • United Kingdom
  • Ireland
  • Cyprus
  • Bulgaria
  • Romania
  • Ukraine
  • Serbia
  • Croatia
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Montenegro
  • Macedonia
  • Albania
  • Monaco
  • Belarus
  • United States
  • Canada
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Chile
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Japan
  • Singapore
  • Brunei
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Qatar

 

24h Transit Visa to China / 1 Day Transit Visa to China

Travelers on a 24h visa free transit can enter all international airports in China but cannot leave the city where the airport is located.

 

72h Transit Visa to China / 3 Day Transit Visa to China

Travelers on a 72h visa free transit can only enter through 3 ports in China:

  • Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (cannot leave city)
  • Harbin Taiping International Airport (cannot leave city)
  • Changsha Huanghua International Airport (can travel within Hunan province only)

 

144h Transit Visa to China / 6 Day Transit Visa to China

Travelers on a 144h visa free transit can enter through 37 ports in China. Certain port require the traveler on this type of transit visa free to remain within the city or province. Double check the rule based on your entry port.

 

 

Tips from Frédérique, a Lumanian and former expat in China who regularly visits her son studying in Beijing:

  • It is recommended to carry supporting documents like invitation letters, flight tickets, and hotel reservations matching the stated purpose.
  • If you qualify for visa exemption, you can enter China multiple times. Currently, there are no restrictions on frequency or cumulated total stay days.
  • Minors and adults have the same conditions for visa exemption.

 

 

Please note: China Visa Free policies can change including the list of China visa free countries. It’s always recommended to check with the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country for the most up-to-date information before planning your trip.

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