FAQs About China's Unilateral Visa Exemption Policies

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Q1Who are eligible for China's unilateral visa exemption policies?

Foreign nationals holding ordinary passports from the following 38 countries can enter and stay in China for no more than 30 days without visas, provided that they will enter and stay for the purposes of business, tourism, family reunion, visits to friends, exchange, and/or transit.

38 countries

Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan

Q2Do foreign nationals eligible for visa exemption need to make declarations to Chinese embassies or consulates in advance?

Foreign nationals eligible for visa exemption policies do not need to declare in advance to Chinese embassies and consulates before entering China on a visa-free basis.

Q3Will my purpose of entry into China be examined by Chinese border inspection authorities when a foreign national enters China? If so, how will it be done? Are other documents needed for entering China in addition to a passport?

Foreign nationals traveling for purposes of business, tourism, family reunion, visits to friends, exchange, and/or transit, who meet the visa waiver requirements, can be allowed to enter China without visas following examination and approval in accordance with the laws by border inspection authorities. Entry into China shall be denied by border inspection authorities in accordance with the laws for any foreign national who travels for purposes that do not meet the visa waiver requirements or who is not allowed to enter China in accordance with the laws and regulations. It is recommended to take documents such as invitation letters, air tickets and reservation records of accommodation as proof corresponding to the purposes of entry into China. Visa waiver does not apply to those who come to China for working, studying, journalistic purposes or purposes alike.

Q4Is there any additional requirement for minors eligible for a visa waiver?

Visa waiver requirements for minors are the same as those for adults.
Q5Is there any requirement on the types and validity periods of the documents for entry?

For a foreign national, an ordinary passport valid during his/her stay period in China is needed. Holders of travel documents, or temporary or emergency documents other than ordinary passports are not allowed to enter into China without visas.

Q6How is the 30-day stay period calculated?

For any foreign national eligible for a visa waiver, he/she may stay in China continuously without a visa before 24:00 on the 30th calendar day following the date of entry.

Q7Do the visa exemption policies apply to a foreign national who travels from a third country?

Eligible foreign nationals can depart for China from any country or region.

Q8Do the visa exemption policies apply to foreign nationals who travel by transport means other than aviation?

China's unilateral visa exemption policies apply to all travelers coming to China through any seaport, road port and airport open to foreign nationals (unless the relevant laws, regulations or bilateral arrangements specify otherwise). For arrivals in China with private vehicles, certain procedures for entry and exit of the means of transport shall be completed in accordance with relevant laws and regulations of China.

Q9Do the visa exemption policies apply to tour groups?

Eligible foreign nationals, whether in tour groups or as individuals, can enter China without visas.

Q10Is it possible to apply for extending my stay period if the length of my intended stay period exceeds 30 days?

Foreign nationals planning to stay in China for over 30 days shall apply for visas corresponding to their purposes of stay in advance at Chinese embassies or consulates. If they have to stay longer than 30 days for appropriate and sufficient reasons after entering China without visas, they shall apply for stay permits at the exit-entry administration authorities of the public security organs in China.

Q11Do the visa exemption policies allow multiple entries? 

Is there any requirement on the length of the interval between two entries, or any restriction on the number of entries or the total length of stay?Foreign nationals eligible for the visa-free entry can enter China without visas multiple times. Currently, there is no restriction on the number of entries or total length of stay, but those who intend to travel to China on a visa-free basis shall not engage in activities inconsistent with their purposes of entry.
Source: Department of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs