China 30 Days Visa-free Entry Policy for France, Germany, Italy, Spain...

Notice on Latest Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China - Updated on December 18, 2024:

1. 15 days visa free has been upgraded to 30 days. Eligible countries updates: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Brunei and Japan. Valid till December 31, 2025. Read more »

2. 72-Hour/144-Hou Visa Free Transit have been upgraded to 240-Hou Visa Free Transi (10 days). 54 eligible countries include the US, UK, Canada, Brazil, etc. Eligible travelers can now travel across provinces, for example traveling from Beijing to Xian, then to Shanghai. Mohan Railway Port at China-Laos border can be used to enter/leave Yunnan. Hong Kong High-speed Rail West Kowloon Station has been added to Guangdong Province 144-hour transit visa-free. Read more »

3. Countries Mutual Exemption of Visa with China - Solomon Islands, Georgia, Thailand, Singapore, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Antigua and Barbuda, Albania, UAE, Barbados, Bahamas, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Qatar, Mauritius, Serbia, Seychelles, San Marino, Suriname, Tonga, Armenia.

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

5. Appointment is not required for visa application in many embassies and consulates.

China Discovery will keep focusing on the updates of the latest Chinese visa and entry policy! You can also call +86 010 12367 (Official telephone number of China National Immigration Administration) to check further information. Welcome to join in our Facebook Groups to catch up with the latest news!

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15 days visa free has been upgraded to 30 days!

In order to further promote the exchange of personnel between China and foreign countries, serve high-quality development and high-level opening up, the Chinese government has decided to pilot the expansion of the scope of unilateral visa-free countries and implement a unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and South Korea. Ordinary passport holders of the above-mentioned countries can enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 30 days until December 31, 2025. Personnel of the above-mentioned countries who do not meet the visa-free conditions still need to apply for a visa to China before entering the country.

1. How will Chinese border inspection authorities verify the purpose of entry? Do I need to bring other materials besides my passport when entering the country?

Foreigners whose purpose of entry complies with the visa-free policy regulations, such as business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, or transit, will be allowed to enter the country after being checked and approved by the Chinese border inspection authorities in accordance with the law; for foreigners whose purpose of entry does not comply with the visa-free policy regulations or who have other legal reasons for not being allowed to enter the country, the border inspection authorities will make a decision not to allow entry in accordance with the law. It is recommended to bring supporting materials that are consistent with the purpose of entry, such as invitation letters, air tickets and hotel orders. Personnel who come to China for work, study, and interviews are not within the scope of visa-free entry.

2. How is the 30-day stay period calculated?

Foreigners who meet the visa-free entry requirements to China can stay continuously from the day of entry to 24:00 on the 30th natural day.

3. Can I depart from a non-nationality country?

Foreigners who meet the visa-free entry requirements to China can depart from any country (region) outside China.

4. Does it apply to other modes of entry other than air?

The unilateral visa-free entry is applicable to all sea, land and air ports open to foreigners (except as otherwise provided by laws and regulations or bilateral arrangements). If you come to China by your own means of transport, you should also follow the relevant Chinese laws and regulations to handle the procedures for entry and exit of your own means of transport.

5. If my stay in China exceeds 30 days, can I apply for an extension?

If a foreigner intends to stay in China for more than 30 days, he/she should apply for a visa in accordance with the purpose of entry at the Chinese embassy or consulate abroad in advance. If a foreigner enters China under the visa-free policy and needs to continue to stay in China for legitimate reasons after entry, he/she should apply to the exit-entry administration agency of the public security organ for a stay permit.

6. Can I enter multiple times? Are there any requirements for the interval between entries? Are there any restrictions on the number of visa-free entries and the total number of days of stay?

If a foreigner meets the visa-free entry requirements to China, he/she can apply for the visa-free policy multiple times to enter China. At present, there is no restriction on the number of visa-free entries and the total number of days of stay, but it should be noted that activities that are not consistent with the purpose of entry are not allowed.

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China Discovery is a professional and experienced travel companion who offers high-value and worry-free tours. We not only design ideal itinerary covering sightseeing, dining, transfer and hotel, but also can provide any visa-related support & help you need to travel to China. To fulfill your dream tour to Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin, Chengdu and more destinations in China, we will try our best to provide you each travel related service, visa matters included.

You may choose from our most popular China tours, or just  contact us, tell your interests and travel plans, we could customize a perfect China tour as you like.

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Questions & Discussions

Following are latest questions and answers from our webusers and customers. You can learn many useful information from the discussion and cases. You can also join in the discussions or ask your own question. Our experts will help you ASAP.

144hr visa free.
Hi, We are planning to travel to China and Asia in Spring 2025. Travelling from London (UK passport) to Shanghai.for 5 days and then going to Japan. Then we go to Beijing for 5 days and back to the UK.I believe the 144 hrs Visa is perfect for this.
2024-12-02 04:00
Hello Dave Powl,

Thank you for your question. Yes, you can take advantage of the 144-hour visa-free policy for your trip. Additionally, you might consider adding nearby destinations like Suzhou or Hangzhou to your Shanghai itinerary—they are both beautiful places worth visiting.

Wishing you a wonderful trip!

China Discovery
144 days visa free
I have a UK passport, flying from Manchester to Hong Kong to Beijing to Hong Kong. Do I qualify for the 144 days visa free? Or would I need to fly to Macau instead of HK on return trip?
2024-11-25 14:50
Hi Tina,

Manchester to Hong Kong to Beijing to Hong Kong is not qualified for 144 hour visa free transit. You can fly to Macau or other country or region after Beijing.
Canadian 24hour visa
I'm flying back from Japan -> PVG 20 hours layover -> YYZ(Toronto) I can get 24 hr visa free?
2024-11-09 21:21
Hi Justin,

Your itinerary is qualified for 24 hour visa free transit in PVG.
144 hour visa Waiver - travel from Hong Kong
As a UK citizen can I visit Shanghai from Hong Kong (and return to HK) using the 144 hour visa waiver?
2024-11-06 16:17
Hi Ian Bryant,

To use Shanghai's 144 hour visa waiver, you need to go to a third country or region after your Shanghai transit, which means you cannot choose to return to the country or region you come from. Here is eligible route for your reference: HK-Shanghai-Taipei (or Macau, Korea, Japan, Singapore, etc.).
15 days Visa Free?
Denmark pass port holder. Arriving by air from BKK November 15th to Shanghai via Kunming. Shanghai to Hanoi November 20th.
2024-11-04 23:18
Hi Bjarne Pedersen,

Currently, China is 15 days visa-free to Denmark ordinary passport holders.

China Discovery
Japan trip
I am traveling to Tokyo (Japan) from Hungary next year and I have to transfer in Guangzhou on the way there and back. Do I need any kind of visa or registration to enter China or Guangzhou during layovers?
2024-11-04 18:22
Hi Kornel Nagy,

Currently transit within 24 hours is visa free in most airports in China, including Guangzhou. Are you holding Hungary passport? China is now 15 days visa free for Hungary passports holders.
VISA enquiry
My children, my sister and I are Singapore passport holder and my wife is Indonesian passport holder, I will be travelling to Hong Kong on 08 November 2024 for 7 days , in between would like to visit Shenzhen 3 days from Hong Kong via speed train, do I need to apply for a visa?
2024-11-02 23:08
Hi Yap,

Currently, Shenzhen is visa-free for Singapore passport holders, but not visa-free for Indonesian passport holders. Maybe she can try to apply for Visa on Arrival for Shenzhen.

China Discovery
Hi
I am working at Hongkong with Philippines passport do i am qualified for visa free like i come to guangzhou by train and back at HK same day
2024-11-01 11:25
Hi Marice,

Your plan is not qualified for Guangzhou visa free policy.
Visa free for China from 28/12/24 to 11/01/25
Hi, I am French and travelling to Shanghai on 28 Dec 2024 for 14 days. Do I need a visa or am I still eligible to the visa free as entering China before 31st Dec 2014? Thank you
2024-10-28 00:27
Hi Mel,

The 15 days visa free for French passport holders are valid until 31st 2025.

Cheers,

China Discovery
Canadain citizen
I am a Canadian citizen, I will be in Hong Kong for November 2024, I would like to visit Guangzhou from Hong Kong, do I need to apply for a visa?
2024-10-23 02:11
Hi Lan,

If you have 2 people or more, and travel with an agency in Hong Kong who will provide a tour to Guangzhou for you, you may be granted a 6 days visa free stay. Or you can use 144 hour visa free in Guangzhou, for example fly from Hong Kong to Guangzhou, then to a third country or region.

China Discovery
Transit visa
I am a Dutch national living in the Uk . I will be travelling with china eastern airlines and I will be in transit at Shanghai airport for a few hours. Do I require a visa
2024-10-21 19:54
Hi Marianne,

Transit within 24 hours is visa free as long as you arrive from a third country or region, then onward to another country or region.

China Discovery - Your Reliable China Travel Agency
Visa for a short visit to China
I’m a UK passport holder and would like to travel 7 days in China .
Do I need a visitors visa?
2024-10-16 18:12
Hi Lindy,

Under currently Chinese visa policy, UK passport holders need a tourist L visa for traveling in China's Mainland.
Visa enquiry
Will we need visa's for transit flight from UK to Brisbane. We have 15hour layover and Is there a hotel inside the terminal that we can stay in or do we book a hotel outside the terminals? Also a we are both disabled and will require assistance at the airport
2024-10-16 00:10
Hi Preeti,

Thanks for your question. Transit within 24 hours is visa free if you have only one layover in China's Mainland. Some airports have hotel inside the airports, such as Chengdu Tianfu, some not. You can check websites of the airports and hotels for further information.
Traveling to Shanghai China
I am Overseas Filipino Worker here in Taiwan and I wanna visit Shanghai for 7days.Is it posible?Do I need to apply for a visa?
2024-10-15 21:50
Hi Jill,

Yes you can travel from Taiwan to Shanghai and visit for 3 days but you need a Tourist Visa (L) under current Chinese visa policy.
Query about Lay over
I will be going home to my home country Philippines. I am currently working here in Dubai and i have a flight via china southern airlines to Guangzhou airport and have a 7 hours lay over there before going home to the Philippines. Do i have to secure a transit visa or no need? For i will only stay at the airport . Look forward to hearing you soon. Thank you.
2024-10-12 12:09
Hi Jujaina,

Thanks for your question. Transit within 24 hours is usually visa free.
Flying through china to new zealand
I hold a nigerian passport and will be travelling to New Zealand from the UK through China. My lay over is about 6 hours in Shanghai. Do I require a transit visa or does the less than 24 hours layover need no visa apply?
Thank you
2024-10-11 17:42
Hi,

Transit within 24 hours is visa-free in most airport in China as long as you don't have layover in another city during your trip.

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