China Entry Requirements 2025: Visa-Free Rules & Entry Steps

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By Kyra

China Entry Requirements

Image from Lijiang Border Inspection

Want to know how foreign tourists enter China? Here's a comprehensive overview of the entry requirements and procedures to help you plan your visit smoothly. Now follow my steps and get started!

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China Visa-Free Countries 2025

1. Mutual Visa Exemption (25 countries)

Stay Duration: 15–90 days (varies by country)

Countries: Albania, UAE, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Maldives, Mauritius, Serbia, Seychelles, San Marino, Suriname, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tonga, Singapore, Armenia.

2. 15/30-Day Visa-Free (38 countries)

Stay Duration: Up to 30 days

Countries: France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, 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, Brunei, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan.

3. 24/240 Hours Visa-Free Transit (54 countries)

Stay Duration: Up to 10 days (240 hours)

Countries:
Europe (40): 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, UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway.

Americas (6): USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.

Oceania (2): Australia, New Zealand.

Asia (6): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, UAE, Qatar.

4. Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free (59 countries)

Stay Duration: Up to 30 days

Countries:
Europe (33): Russia, UK, France, Germany, Norway, Italy, Austria, Finland, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia.

Americas (6): USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.

Oceania (2): Australia, New Zealand.

Asia (16): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, UAE, Qatar, Monaco, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania.

Documents Required for Entry into China

Required Documents

By Travel Purpose

🔔 To ensure a smooth entry, please prepare your round-trip air tickets, hotel bookings and other travel documents in advance.

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China Entry Options for Foreigners (2025)

Entry Method

Duration

Key Requirements

Eligibility

Notes

24/240 Hours Visa-Free Transit

1-10 days

- Onward ticket

- Eligible port entry

54 countries

Tourism/business in permitted zones

Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free

30 days

- Direct flight to Hainan

- No visa required

59 countries

Hainan province only

Unilateral Visa Waiver

15/30 days

- Passport from eligible countries

38 countries

Short stays only

Port Visa (VOA)

30 days

- Invitation letter

- Port application

Case-by-case

Single-entry only

Standard Visas

Varies

All nationalities

Includes:

- Tourist (L)

30-90 days

Hotel bookings, itinerary

Single/Multiple entry

- Business (M)

30-180 days

Chinese company invitation

Multiple entry available

- Work (Z)

90d-5 years

Work permit, employment contract

Converts to residence permit

- Family Visit (Q/S)

30-180 days

Invitation from Chinese relative

Q1/Q2/S1/S2 categories

Permanent Residence

Long-term

PR ID card

Approved PR holders

E-channel access

*This information is updated based on 2025. Please check the official website of the Chinese Visa Application Service Center for the latest news before travelling.

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Step-by-Step Guide for Entering China

Step 1: Complete Health Declaration

• Download WeChat and search for "海关旅客指尖服务" (Customs Pocket Declaration)

• Fill out the health form and save the QR code screenshot

• Valid for 24 hours (complete before or during flight)

Step 2: Fill Out Arrival Card

Fill Out Arrival Card

Option A: Paper form (available on plane/at immigration)

Option B: Digital form (at select airports):

  1. Fill out the Arrival Card online (2025): https://www.singlewindow.sh.cn/hj/👉Only available in Shanghai
  2. The 24/240-hour visa-free transit application is currently only available at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport!
  3. Complete online arrival card
  4. Save QR code
  5. Scan at self-service kiosk to print

Airports that can currently use online card filling:

  • 📍 Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
  • 📍 Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
  • 📍 Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG)
  • 📍 Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN) (the reporting address is the same as Shanghai)
  • 📍 Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH)

Newly added:

  • 📍 Ningbo Lishe International Airport (NGB)
  • 📍 Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport (TAO)
  • 📍 Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport (TNA)
  • 📍 Wuxi Shuofang Airport (WUX)
  • 📍 Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport (DLC)

Step 3: Fingerprint Registration (if required)

Who needs it:

  • First-time visitors to China

Who's exempt:

  • Children under 14/seniors over 70
  • Diplomatic passport holders
  • Those physically unable to provide fingerprints

Step 4: Passport Control

  1. Join "Foreigner" queue
  2. Present: Passport, Visa (if required), Arrival card, Health QR code
  3. Answer brief questions about visit purpose

Step 5: Baggage Claim & Customs

  1. Check screens for your flight's baggage carousel
  2. Green Channel: Nothing to declare
  3. Red Channel: Items to declare (cash >¥20,000, etc.)

In China, you can buy SIM cards/eSIM cards at the airport and will also provide guidance on mobile payment (some airports). Check out the China SIM card/eSIM deals and payment app usage guide below.

China Entry Requirements FAQs

Which countries can visit China without visa?
54 countries qualify for 24-240hr transit visa-free; 59 countries can visit Hainan visa-free; 38 countries get 15-30 day visa waivers (e.g. France, Germany, Italy).

Do UK citizens need a visa for China?
Yes, except for 240-hour transit via major cities or 30-day Hainan visits.

How long for a China visa from UK?
Normal processing takes 4 days. Fast service takes 2-3 days.

Can I get a China visa on arrival?
Yes, but only at select ports with pre-approval. Most travellers must apply beforehand.

Is China safe for travel now?
Yes, China is safe for travel. Please check the travel guide before you go.

China Travel Guide

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China Entry Requirements