Frequently Asked Questions on Unilateral Visa Waiver Policy

01 

Q: Which countries' nationals are eligible for the unilateral visa waiver policy for entry into China?

Who does the visa waiver apply to?

A: Nationals holding ordinary passports from 38 countries including Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, the Republic of Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan can enter China visa-free for a stay of no more than 30 days for purposes of business, sightseeing, visiting relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit.

Nationals of 38 countries including Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Holland, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan holding valid ordinary passports can be exempted from visa requirement if entering into China for the purpose of business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange and transit. They can stay in China for no more than 30 days without visa.

02 

Q: Do foreign nationals entering China under the visa waiver policy need to declare in advance to Chinese embassies and consulates abroad?

Do foreign nationals eligible for a visa waiver need to make declarations to Chinese embassies and consulates in advance?

A: Eligible foreign nationals do not need to declare in advance to Chinese embassies and consulates abroad to enter China under the visa waiver policy.

Foreign nationals eligible for a visa waiver do not need to declare in advance to Chinese embassies and consulates before entering China without a visa.

03

Q: Will Chinese border inspection authorities verify the purpose of entry into China? Are other documents required besides the passport upon entry?

Will the purpose of intended stay in China be examined by Chinese border inspection authorities when entering China? How will it be done? Are other documents needed for entering China in addition to a passport?

A: Foreign nationals whose purposes of entry into China fall into the categories of business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchange visits or transit as specified in the visa waiver policy may enter China after being inspected and approved by Chinese border inspection authorities in accordance with law. Border inspection authorities will make a decision of denial of entry in accordance with law for foreign nationals whose purposes of entry do not conform to the provisions of the visa waiver policy or who have other legally specified circumstances that prohibit entry. It is recommended to carry supporting documents consistent with the purpose of entry, such as invitation letters, air tickets and hotel reservation orders. Persons who come to China for work, study, news reporting and other similar purposes are not covered by the visa waiver policy.

Foreign nationals traveling for purposes of business, tourism, family or friends visits，exchange and transit that meet the visa waiver requirements can be allowed to enter China without a visa upon examination and approval in accordance with law by border inspection authorities. Entry into China shall be denied by border inspection authorities in accordance with law to foreign nationals who travel for purposes that do not meet the visa waiver requirements or who are not allowed to enter China in accordance with laws and regulations. It is recommended to take documents such as invitation letters, air tickets and reservations of accommodation as a proof corresponding to the purposes of entry into China. Visa waiver does not apply to those who come to China for work, study, journalistic or alike purposes.

04

Q: Are there any special requirements for minors entering China under the visa waiver policy?

Is there any additional requirement for minors eligible for a visa waiver?

A: The eligibility conditions for minors to enter China under the visa waiver policy are the same as those for adults.

Visa waiver requirements for minors are the same as for adults.

05

Q: Are there any requirements for the type and validity period of entry documents?

Are there any requirements on the type and validity of entry documents?

A: Foreign nationals need to hold a valid ordinary passport to enter China, and the validity period must meet the needs of their travel in China. Foreign nationals holding documents other than ordinary passports such as travel documents, temporary or emergency documents are not eligible for the visa waiver policy for entry into China.

For foreign nationals, an ordinary passport valid for at least the duration of intended stay in China is needed. Holders of travel documents or temporary or emergency documents other than ordinary passports are not allowed to enter into China without a visa.

06

Q: How to calculate the 30-day period of stay?

How to calculate the duration of stay of 30 days?

A: Foreign nationals eligible for visa-free entry into China may stay continuously until 24:00 on the 30th calendar day from the date of entry.

Foreign nationals eligible for a visa waiver may stay in China continuously without a visa from the date of entry to the 30th calendar day until 24:00.

07

Q: Can I depart from a country other than my country of nationality?

Does the visa waiver apply to foreign nationals who travel from a third country?

A: Foreign nationals eligible for visa-free entry into China can depart from any country (region) outside China.

Eligible foreign nationals can depart for China from any country or region.

08

Q: Does the policy apply to entry methods other than air travel?

Does the visa waiver apply to foreign nationals who travel by forms of transport other than aviation?

A: The unilateral visa waiver policy applies to all land, sea and air ports open to foreign nationals (except as otherwise provided by laws, regulations or bilateral arrangements). If you come to China by private means of transport, you shall also go through the formalities for the entry and exit of your private means of transport in accordance with relevant Chinese laws and regulations.

The visa waiver applies to all travelers coming to China through any sea, road and air port open to foreign nationals (except where laws, regulations and bilateral arrangements specify otherwise). For arrivals in China by private transport, certain procedures for entry and exit of means of transport shall be processed in accordance with relevant laws and regulations of China.

09

Q: Can tour groups enter China under the visa waiver policy?

Does the visa waiver apply to tour groups?

A: Foreign nationals eligible for visa-free entry into China, whether participating in tour groups or traveling individually, can enter China under the visa waiver policy.

The visa waiver applies to eligible foreign nationals either in tour groups or as individuals.

10

Q: Can I apply for an extension if my stay in China exceeds 30 days?

If the length of intended stay exceeds 30 days, can the visa waiver be extended?

A: Foreign nationals who intend to stay in China for more than 30 days shall apply for a visa corresponding to their purpose of entry at Chinese embassies and consulates abroad in advance. If they need to continue to stay in China for reasonable and justifiable reasons after entering China under the visa waiver policy, they shall apply for a stay permit to the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ.

Foreign nationals planning to stay in China for over 30 days shall apply for visas corresponding to their purposes of stay in advance at Chinese embassies or consulates. If they have to stay longer than 30 days for appropriate and sufficient reasons after entering China without a visa, they shall apply for stay permits to the exit and entry administrations of public security authorities of China.

11

Q: Is multiple entry allowed? Are there any requirements on the interval between entries, or any restrictions on the number of visa-free entries and total days of stay?

Does the visa waiver allow multiple entries? Is there any requirement on the length of intervals between each entry, or any restriction on the number of entries without a visa or total days of stay?

A: Foreign nationals who meet the eligibility requirements for visa-free entry into China can use the visa waiver policy for multiple entries. At present, there are no restrictions on the number of visa-free entries and total days of stay, but please note that you shall not engage in activities inconsistent with the purpose of entry.

Foreign nationals eligible for the visa waiver can enter China without a visa for multiple times. Currently there is no restriction on the number of entries or total days of stay, but those who enjoy visa-free travel to China shall not engage in activities inconsistent with their purposes of entry.  

Source: National Immigration Administration of China