Visa-free policies

english.shanghai.gov.cn

China has implemented a series of visa-free policies to streamline travel for foreign nationals visiting the country. These policies include transit visa-free arrangements, mutual visa exemption agreements, and the latest updates on visa-free entry.

Below is an overview of the key visa-free policies available for foreign nationals entering China.

001.png

Visa-free transit

WXWorkLocalGovPro_20240704111624.jpg

China has implemented a range of 24, 72 and 144-hour visa-free transit policies to facilitate short-term travel. Get the details here!

Explore details on eligible countries, required documents, and frequently asked questions about 144-hour visa-free transit in Shanghai.

Click here to discover activities and destinations to explore during your 144-hour layover in Shanghai.

002.png

Visa-free entry

China's visa-free entry policies vary from country to country. Here are the latest details regarding eligible passport categories, duration of stay, and effective dates for visa-free visits.

No

Country

Eligible passport categories

Stay limits for visa-free stay

Visa-free policy effective date

1

Brunei

Ordinary passport holders for business, tourism, family visit, or transit

15 days

Effective as of July 26, 2023

2

Singapore

30 days

Effective as of Feb 9, 2024

3

France

15 days

Valid until Dec 31, 2025

 

 

4

Germany

5

Italy

6

The Netherlands

7

Spain

8

Switzerland

9

Ireland

10

Hungary

11

Austria

12

Belgium

13

Luxembourg

14

Malaysia

15

Thailand

Thai citizens holding ordinary passports

A single stay of no more than 30 days and a cumulative stay of no more than 90 days within a 180-day period

Effective as of March 1, 2024

16

Georgia

Ordinary passport holders for business, tourism, family visit, or transit

A single stay of no more than 30 days and a cumulative stay of no more than 90 days within a 180-day period

Effective as of May 28, 2024

17

New Zealand

15 days

Valid until Dec 31, 2025

18

Australia

19

Poland

20

Portugal

 

Valid from Oct 15, 2024 to Dec 31, 2025

 

21

Greece

22

Cyprus

23

Slovenia

003.png

Mutual visa exemption agreements

下载.png
[Photo/VCG]

China has established over 150 mutual visa exemption agreements with foreign countries, fostering closer ties and facilitating international travel.

Explore the full list of countries with mutual visa exemption agreements here.

004.png

Visa-free entry for cruise ship passengers

02a954aad29fc4f3eb2dff2334b4226a.jpg

On May 15, 2024, the National Immigration Administration announced that China will fully implement a visa-free entry policy for foreign tourist groups arriving by cruise ship, effective immediately.

Foreign tourist groups, comprising two or more individuals, arriving by cruise ship and organized and received by China's domestic travel agencies can enter China visa-free through any coastal cruise port and stay for up to 15 days.

The tourist groups must travel together on the same cruise ship to the next port when the cruise leaves China. The activity area is limited to the coastal provinces, municipalities, and Beijing.

The visa-free entry ports include national cruise ports located in Tianjin, Dalian in Liaoning province, Shanghai, Lianyungang in Jiangsu province, Wenzhou and Zhoushan in Zhejiang province, Xiamen in Fujian province, Qingdao in Shandong province, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in Guangdong province, Beihai in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, and Haikou and Sanya in Hainan province.

Additionally, to support the development of the cruise tourism industry, seven cruise ports in Dalian, Lianyungang, Wenzhou, Zhoushan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Beihai will be added as transit visa-free ports for citizens of 54 countries, facilitating tourism via cruise ships, according to the immigration administration.

 

Sources: en.nia.gov.cn, english.news.cn, cs.mfa.gov.cn, chinadaily.com.cn, VCG

Related stories