🔔🔔🔔 2 Aug 2024 UPDATED! China's Visa-Free Policies 🇨🇳️
China offers three types of visa-free travel policies for travelers from select countries.
China’s visa-free policies have made it easier for travelers from specific countries to visit without the need for a visa, promoting tourism and international exchange. This guide will outline the three types of visa-free travel options available to eligible visitors.
🆓 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit
China offers a 144-hour visa-free transit policy, allowing travelers from select countries, with proof of onward travel to a third country, to enjoy six days of transit travel in specific regions of China without needing to apply for a visa in advance. This policy covers 54 countries and 37 ports.
In addition, travelers are only allowed to travel within a certain area on the entry permit and exit the country through designated ports as well. People who travel outside the permitted area and exit the country through a non-designated port may face certain penalties.
The 144-hour visa free transit officially counts from 00:00 on the next day after entry.
The eligible cities, corresponding entry ports, and scope of permitted travel areas are listed in the table below.
| City | Applicable ports | Scope of permitted travel | Exit ports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing |
| Beijing Municipality, Tianjin Municipality, and Hebei Province | Any port applicable to the 144-hour visa-free transit policy within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. |
| Tianjin |
| ||
| Shijiazhuang (Hebei Province) | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport | ||
| Qinhuangdao (Hebei Province) | Port of Qinhuangdao (Passenger transport) | ||
| Shanghai |
| Shanghai, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province | Any port applicable to the 144-hour visa-free transit policy within the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region. |
| Nanjing (Jiangsu Province) | Nanjing Lukou International Airport | ||
| Lianyungang (Jiangsu Provinc) | Liangyungang Port (Passenger transport) | ||
| Hangzhou (Zhejiang Province) | Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport | ||
| Ningbo (Zhejiang Province) | Ningbo Lishe International Airport | ||
| Wenzhou (Zhejiang Province) | Wenzhou Longwan International Airport | ||
| Zhoushan (Zhejiang Province) | Zhoushan Port (Passenger transport) | ||
| Guangzhou (Guangdong Province) |
| Guangdong Province | Any of the 36 entry/exit ports in Guangdong Province (land, sea, and air). |
| Shenzhen (Guangdong Province) |
| ||
| Jieyang (Guangdong Province) | Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport | ||
| Shenyang (Liaoning Province) | Shenyang Taoxian International Airport | Liaoning Province | Any port applicable to the 144-hour visa-free transit policy within Liaoning Province. |
| Dalian (Liaoning Province) |
| ||
| Qingdao (Shandong Province) |
| Shandong Province | Any port applicable to the 144-hour visa-free transit policy within Shandong Province. |
| Zhengzhou (Henan Province) | Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport | Henan Province | Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport |
| Chongqing | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport | Chongqing Municipality | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport |
| Kunming (Yunnan Province) | Kunming Changshui International Airport | 9 cities in Yuannan: Kunming, Lijiang, Yuxi, Pu’er, Chuxiong, Dali, Xishuangbanna, Honghe, and Wenshan. | Any port applicable to the 144-hour visa-free transit policy within Yunnan Province. |
| Lijiang (Yunnan Province) | Lijiang Sanyi International Airport | ||
| Xishuangbanna (Yunnan Province) | Mohan Railway Port | ||
| Chengdu (Sichuan Province) | Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport | 11 cities in Sichuan: Chengdu, Leshan, Deyang, Suining, Meishan, Ya’an, Ziyang, Neijiang, Zigong, Luzhou, and Yibin. | Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport |
| Xi’an (Shaanxi Province) | Xi’an Xianyang International Airport | 2 cities in Shaanxi Province: Xi’an and Xiangyang. | Xi’an Xianyang International Airport |
| Xiamen (Fujian Province) |
| Xiamen city only | Any port applicable to the 144-hour visa-free transit policy within Xiamen. |
| Wuhan (Hubei Province) | Wuhan Tianhe International Airport | Wuhan city only | Wuhan Tianhe International Airport |
| Hainan Province | All state-established open ports in Hainan, via tour groups registered in Hong Kong and Macao. | Hainan Province | All state-established open ports in Hainan |
Citizens of 54 Countries Eligible for the 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy:
European Countries (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, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway
American Countries (6): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
Oceania Countries (2): Australia, New Zealand
Asian Countries (6): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar
⚠️ Frequency of Use: There is no official limit on how many times per year you can use the 144-hour visa-free transit policy. However, it’s important to note that this policy is intended for genuine transit purposes. Frequent use or attempts to use it for de facto tourism may lead to increased scrutiny or potential denial of entry. Always ensure you meet all requirements each time you plan to use this policy.
🆓 15-Day Visa-Free Policy
During the period from December 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025, holders of ordinary passports from the following countries may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 15 days, upon their arrival in China:
- Europe: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxemburg, Poland
- Asia: Malaysia
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
⚠️ Frequency of Use: This policy can be used multiple times within a year, offering flexibility for frequent travelers. However, it’s important to note that while multiple entries are possible, there are typically limitations on how often this can be done.
🆓 30-Day Visa-Free for Hainan
Hainan, China’s tropical island province, offers a 30-day visa-free policy for tourists from 59 countries. This policy allows eligible visitors to enter and stay in Hainan for up to 30 days without a visa. Key points include:
- Applies to tourism, business and trade, visits, family visits, medical treatment, exhibitions and sports competition (except purposes of work and study)
- Valid for direct civil airlines, business charter flights or cruise ships to Hainan from home country, or transit via a third country or China’s Hong Kong or Macao region
Eligible countries include major tourism source markets such as Russia, UK, France, Germany, Norway, Ukraine, 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, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, UAE, Qatar, Monaco, Belarus.
Always verify the latest policy details with official sources or a Chinese embassy, as regulations may change.
Conclusion 🌟
Understanding China’s visa-free policies can help eligible travelers enjoy a seamless and hassle-free experience when visiting the country.