Latest 2024 China Visa News

15 Days Visa-free Policay for Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Slovenia

Update Date: October 11, 2024

To further promote exchanges between Chinese and foreign personnel, China has decided to expand the visa exemption policy. Starting from October 15, 2024, to December 31, 2025, holders of ordinary passports from Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, and Slovenia will be able to enter China without a visa for business, tourism, family visits, or transit for up to 15 days. Those who do not meet the visa exemption criteria will still need to obtain a visa prior to entering China.

Whole Henan Provice and Kunming, Lijiang, Dali, Xishuangbanna and 5 regions in Yunnan Province applicable to 144-hour visa-free transit policy

Update Date: July 15, 2024

The National Immigration Administration announced today that starting from July 15, 2024, the 144-hour visa-free transit policy will be implemented at the Zhengzhou Airport in Henan Province, with the stay limited to the administrative region of Henan Province. Additionally, the scope of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy in Yunnan Province will be expanded from Kunming to include the administrative regions of nine cities (prefectures), namely Kunming, Lijiang, Yuxi, Pu'er, Chuxiong, Dali, Xishuangbanna, Honghe, and Wenshan.

Three new ports of entry have been added for the 144-hour visa-free transit policy: Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, and the Mohan Railway Port.

As of now, the National Immigration Administration has implemented the 144-hour visa-free transit policy at 37 ports of entry, including Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang and Qinhuangdao in Hebei, Shenyang and Dalian in Liaoning, Shanghai, Nanjing and Lianyungang in Jiangsu, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou, and Zhoushan in Zhejiang, Zhengzhou in Henan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Jieyang in Guangdong, Qingdao in Shandong, Chongqing, Chengdu in Sichuan, Xi'an in Shaanxi, Xiamen in Fujian, Wuhan in Hubei, and Kunming, Lijiang, and Xishuangbanna in Yunnan.

Citizens of 54 countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, holding valid international travel documents and confirmed tickets with dates and seats for a connecting journey within 144 hours can transit through these ports without a visa and stay within the specified areas for no more than 144 hours. During the stay, they can engage in tourism, business, visiting friends and family, and other short-term activities (as long as they comply with mutual visa exemption agreements or unilateral visa-free policies that have been established).

The visa-free policy for France, Spain, Malaysia, and 9 other countries has been extended until December 31, 2025.

Update Date: May 8, 2024

To further facilitate the exchanges between Chinese and foreign nationals, China has decided to extend its visa-free policy for citizens of 12 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg, until December 31, 2025. Holders of ordinary passports from the aforementioned countries who come to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives, or transiting for no more than 15 days are exempt from applying for a visa for entry.

China will be 15-day visa-free for Australia, New Zealand and Poland from July 1st, 2024 to December 31st, 2025 (18 months).

Update Date: June 27, 2024

From 0:00 on July 1st , 2024 to 24:00 on December 31st , 2025 Beijing time, citizens holding ordinary passports of Australia, New Zealand and Poland traveling to China for business, tourism, family visit or transit purposes with the duration not exceeding 15 days, are eligible for visa-free entry from open sea, land, air ports of China. Individuals who do not meet the visa-free conditions mentioned above or diplomatic, official passport holders still need to apply for a visa before entering China.

The visa-free policy for France, Spain, Malaysia, and 9 other countries has been extended until December 31, 2025.

Update Date: May 8, 2024

To further facilitate the exchanges between Chinese and foreign nationals, China has decided to extend its visa-free policy for citizens of 12 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg, until December 31, 2025. Holders of ordinary passports from the aforementioned countries who come to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives, or transiting for no more than 15 days are exempt from applying for a visa for entry.

Hong Kong High-speed Rail West Kowloon Station has been added to 144-hour transit visa-free

Update Date: May 6, 2024

The 144-hour transit visa-free policy in Guangdong Province has recently been adjusted. In addition to the existing 32 exit ports where the policy applies, four more ports have been added: the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-speed Rail West Kowloon Station port, the Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the Liantang Port (Shenzhen), and the Pazhou Port (Guangzhou. Learn more »

China will be visa-free for Thailand from March 1, 2024

Update Date: January 29, 2024

From March 1, 2024, Thai citizens holding ordinary passport can enter China with visa-free for a single stay of up to 30 days (cumulative stay of no more than 90 days for every 180 days). Those who intend to stay in China for more than 30 days must obtain a corresponding visa before entering China for work, study, news reporting, settlement and other activities that require prior approval. Learn more »

China will be visa-free for Singapore from February 9, 2024

Update Date: January 29, 2024

From February 9, 2024, Singaporean citizens holding ordinary passport can enter China with visa-free for tourism, family visit, business and transit purposes for a stay of up to 30 days. Those who intend to stay in China for more than 30 days must obtain a corresponding visa before entering China for work, news reporting and other activities that require prior approval.

Booking of flights and hotels , China itineraries or invitation letters are not required for application of Tourist Visa for U.S.

Update Date: January 24, 2024

Starting from January 1, 2024, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the United States will waive the requirement for L-type (tourist) visa application materials: U.S. personnel traveling to China who apply for a visa to China will be exempted from providing application materials such as booking of flights and hotels, China itineraries or invitation letters.

15 Days Visa Exemption Policy for Six Countries Including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia.

Update Date: November 24, 2023

To facilitate high-quality development and promote a high level of openness for the convenience of the exchange of people between China and other countries, China has decided to pilot an expansion of unilateral visa exemptions. This policy applies to individuals holding ordinary passports from six countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. From December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024, nationals from these aforementioned countries, holding ordinary passports, visiting China for purposes such as business, tourism, family visits, or transit for a duration not exceeding 15 days, will be exempt from the visa requirement for entry. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency and quality of interactions between China and foreign nationals, fostering a conducive environment for development and international cooperation.

A series of measures has been taken to facilitate visa application and entry for foreigners to China

Update Date: November 20, 2023

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Consular Affairs Bureau announced that it has taken a series of measures to facilitate visa application and entry for foreigners to China. These measures include:

1) Restoring the implementation of unilateral visa-free policies for certain countries and regions.

2) Simplifying visa application procedures for foreigners, such as reducing the number of required documents and eliminating the need for fingerprints for certain applicants.

3) Updating the visa application form for foreigners to China, reducing the number of items to be filled out by 34%.

4) Gradually phasing out the appointment system for visa applications. As of now, nearly 100 Chinese embassies and consulates abroad have implemented the "walk-in" system, and it is expected that all Chinese embassies and consulates abroad will have implemented the "walk-in" system by the end of this year.

5) Maintaining smooth application channels and improving visa service quality. In most cases, visa applicants can submit their applications at any visa application center.

These measures are expected to make it easier and more convenient for foreigners to travel to China.

Filling out the "People's Republic of China Health Declaration Card for Entry/Exit Is Not Required

Update Date: October 31, 2023

The General Administration of Customs has decided that, starting from 00:00 on November 1, 2023, individuals entering or exiting China are exempt from filling out the "People's Republic of China Health Declaration Card for Entry/Exit." However, individuals who exhibit symptoms of infectious diseases such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, unexplained subcutaneous bleeding, or have been diagnosed with a contagious disease must proactively declare their health status to the customs and cooperate with the customs in conducting health quarantine work, including temperature checks, epidemiological investigations, medical examinations, and sample testing. Failure to truthfully declare or evasion of quarantine responsibilities will result in corresponding legal consequences. Those who cause the spread of quarantine diseases or pose a serious risk of transmission will be subject to criminal liability.

10-year Chinese Visa & Multi-year Multi-entry Chinese Visas

Update Date: June 25, 2023

According to the official announcement from the Embassy of China in the United States, starting from March 15, 2023, the Chinese government has made further adjustments to visa and entry policies for foreigners traveling to China. Visas issued before March 28, 2020, and still valid have been reinstated. Recently, applicants have inquired about compensation from the Chinese Embassy in the United States for the period of approximately three years (from March 28, 2020, to March 14, 2023) during which the 10-year multiple-entry visas could not be used due to the impact of the pandemic. The embassy has provided the following clarification on this matter:

1. U.S. citizens holding multi-year multiple-entry visas issued before March 28, 2020, under bilateral reciprocal agreements, whose visas temporarily lost entry functionality between March 28, 2020 and March 14, 2023, due to the pandemic, are eligible to apply for compensation. However, those who have already received new multi-year multiple-entry visas or domestic residence permits after March 28, 2020, are no longer eligible for compensation for their original multi-year multiple-entry visas.

2. Applicants may voluntarily choose whether or not to apply for compensation after the expiration of their visas. Those who choose to apply for compensation will receive a free 3-year multiple-entry visa. Those who choose to waive the compensation can apply for a new 10-year multiple-entry visa at the regular fee.

3. The application process and document requirements for compensation visas are the same as for regular visa applications.

4. Chinese Embassy and consulates in the United States will no longer accept applications for similar visas with a validity period of more than six months for 10-year multiple-entry visas. Applicants can choose whether or not to apply for compensation after the expiration of their visas.

New China Visa Online Processing system is now available

Update Date: June 25, 2023

Starting from June 15th, several embassies and consulates, including the Embassy of China in Iceland, have stopped using the "China Visa Online Application System" and "China Visa Online Appointment System." Instead, they have switched to the China Visa Online Processing system, accessible at the following website:

https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/

Updated China Entry Rules for holders of valid APEC Business Travel Cards and foreign students

Update Date: August 24, 2022

From 00:00 August 24, 2022, holders of valid APEC Business Travel Cards and foreign students holding valid Chinese residence permits for study are allowed to enter China with no need of applying for new visas. Besides, China will also resume accepting Study X1-Visa applications from foreigners applying to study in China for more than 180 days.

Family members (spouse, parents, children under the age of 18, parents-in-law) of foreign students holding valid study (X1) visas or study residence permits, can apply for a private affair (S1 or S2) visa for family reunion.

5. Three Important New Policies about China Visa Free Transit

Update Date: December 1, 2019.

According to official news, three big changes about China's 144 Hour Transit Visa Free Policy has come into effect to offer more convenience for foreign tourists from December 1, 2019.

① Xian and Chongqing will extend the present 72 hours to 144-Hour Visa-free Transit.

② Using the 144-Hour Transit Visa Free Policy to transit in Chengdu, visitors can travel to more destinations in Sichuan Province besides Chengdu, including Leshan (Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei), Yibin (Shunan Bamboo Sea), Deyang, Suining, Meishan, Ya'an, Ziyang, Neijiang, Zigong, Luzhou, total 11 cities within Sichuan.

③ Ningbo (Zhejiang Province) has begun the 144-Hour Visa-free Transit for air travelers, and allow regional tour in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing and all cities in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces, Yangtze River Delta.

Useful Links: Xian 144 Hour Transit Visa Free | Chengdu 144 Hour Transit Visa Free | China 144 Hour Visa Free Transit

6. Change of Version of China Visa

Update Date: June 1, 2019

National Immigration Administration of China announced that a new version of China Visa, China Group Visa and China Residence Permit will start to be used for promoting inspection efficiency and enhancing anti-counterfeiting performance, since June 1st, 2019. The biggest new change is that, a color photo of the applicant is added on the left side of visa page (except the Group Visa).

Meanwhile, immigration authorities will stop to issue the current version of China Visa, China Special Economic Zone Tourist Visa, China Group Visa and Foreigners’ Residence Permit of China.

Please notice that previous version of China Visa can be used as long as it has not expire, and the requirements, application procedures and visa fees remain the same as before.

Useful Links: China Visa Requirements | How to Apply for A China Visa | How Much is A China Visa | How to Understand China Visa

Chinese Noncommercial Visit (F) Visa (New Version)

Old Version of China F Visa

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