I. Visa Exemption Based on Agreements

• Based on bilateral agreements signed or reached between China and foreign countries, foreign citizens from some countries who meet certain requirements may visit China without a visa. Please refer to List of agreements on mutual visa exemption between the People’s Republic of China and foreign countries for more information.

  👉Click to check: List of agreements on mutual visa exemption between the People’s Republic of China and foreign countries

II. Visa-Free Transit Policy

• In accordance with relevant laws and regulations, foreigners holding an interline ticket of an aircraft, ship, or train of international voyage and transiting through China to a third country or region within 72/144 hours are exempted from visa application. Please refer to the related contents on the website of the National Immigration Administration.

• With the approval of the State Council, the 144-hour visa-free transit policy is now effective at 37 ports in 20 cities/municipalities (including 4 cities in Jiangsu province: Nanjing, Wuxi, Yangzhou and Lianyungang).

III. Other situations stipulated by the State Council that are eligible for visa exemption.

• Please refer to the related contents on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China or the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your country.

• China has unilaterally implemented a visa-free policy for holders of ordinary passports from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024; Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg from March 14, 2024 to November 30, 2024.

• Ordinary passport holders from the above-mentioned countries can enter China without a visa for up to 15 days for business, tourism, family visits, and transit purposes.

Note:

Exemption of visa requirements does not mean permission to stay and reside in the other contracting country for an indefinite period of time. According to the agreements, holders of valid specified passports are permitted to stay for less than 30 days upon entry into the other contracting country. If a passport holder intends to stay for over 30 days, he or she should go through residence formalities with the local authorities according to relevant regulations as soon as possible.