You may be eligible to enter China without a visa, depending on your nationality and travel circumstances. Currently, China has 15 visa-free policies for foreign passport holders, covering various nationalities, entry methods, and visiting cities. The most popular visa exemptions are the 72-hour and 144-hour visa-free transit policies, ideal for international travelers passing through China. If you meet one of the visa-free eligibility criteria below, you can visit China without applying for a visa.
1.Singapore and Thailand Passport Holders: 30-Day Visa-Free Entry
● Nationality Requirement: Singapore and Thailand (holders of regular passports)
● Visa-Free Stay Duration: Up to 30 days
● Entry Ports: Any port open to foreign travelers
● Permitted Travel Area: Mainland China
Citizens of Singapore and Thailand with ordinary passports can enter Mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days through ports open to foreign travelers. This exemption allows tourists, business travelers, and those visiting family or friends to explore China for more than two weeks, experiencing the unique charm of Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, and beyond.
However, if your stay exceeds 30 days or your purpose is other than tourism, business, or family visits (e.g., studying, working, or media activities), you will need to apply for a visa to enter China.
2.15-Day Visa-Free Entry for Citizens of Australia, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, and 12 Other Countries
● Nationality Requirement: France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg
● Visa-Free Stay Duration: Up to 15 days
● Entry Ports: Any port open to foreign travelers
● Permitted Travel Area: Mainland China
To further facilitate international exchanges and promote high-level openness, China has expanded its unilateral visa-free policy to allow citizens from 15 countries—France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Australia, and New Zealand—holding regular passports to enter China visa-free until December 31, 2025. This visa-free stay allows up to 15 days for business, tourism, family visits, and short transits.
If you do not meet the criteria for visa-free entry or your visit exceeds 15 days, you will still need to obtain a visa before traveling to China.
3. China’s 72-Hour Transit Visa Exemption
● Eligibility: Citizens from 54 countries and regions (including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, and others).
● Visa-Free Duration: 72 hours (3 days)
● Entry Ports: Designated transit ports within specific cities
● Allowed Travel Area: Designated transit city or region
● Eligible Cities (22): Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Jieyang (Chaoshan), Chengdu, Chongqing, Wuhan, Qingdao, Kunming, Xiamen, Harbin, Shenyang, Dalian, and Changsha.
Since January 1, 2013, China introduced a 72-hour transit visa exemption policy in Beijing and Shanghai for citizens of 45 countries. Over time, this policy has expanded to more countries, cities, and ports. Foreign nationals with valid travel documents and a confirmed ticket to a third country (or region) within 72 hours can take advantage of this exemption, allowing them to enter and stay within 22 designated cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guilin, and Guangzhou, for up to 72 hours. Travelers must enter and exit through specified ports within eligible cities (mainly airports) and are permitted to stay only within the designated administrative area for up to 72 hours.
The areas allowed for movement differ depending on the city:
◇ For transit via Chengdu, Chongqing, Guilin, Kunming, Harbin, Xiamen, or Wuhan, travelers may only stay within the respective city’s administrative region.
◇ For transit via Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Changsha, Qinhuangdao, Shijiazhuang, and Jieyang (Chaoshan), travelers can move freely within the entire province or specified regions.
◇ For transit via Xi’an, travelers may stay within Xi’an and Xianyang.
For more details on requirements, application procedures, valid entry ports, restricted stay areas, and top layover sightseeing options, please visit our 72-Hour China Transit Visa-Free Guide.
4. China’s 144-Hour Transit Visa Exemption
● Eligibility: Citizens from 54 countries and regions (including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc.)
● Visa-Free Duration: 144 hours (6 days)
● Entry Ports: Designated transit ports within specific cities
● Allowed Travel Area: Designated transit city or region
● Eligible Cities (20): Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Xi’an, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xiamen, Kunming, Qingdao, Wuhan, Jieyang (Chaoshan), Dalian, Shenyang, Qinhuangdao, Ningbo, and Shijiazhuang.
As of December 2019, China has implemented a 144-hour transit visa exemption policy for foreign nationals in 20 popular tourist cities. Applicants must come from 54 designated countries and hold a confirmed ticket to a third country (or region) with a specified date and seat within 144 hours. Many cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, have extended the previous 72-hour transit visa exemption to 144 hours, increasing the number of entry ports and duration of stay.
Special Notes on China’s 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
A. About Tickets: Travelers must hold a confirmed onward ticket with a set departure date within 144 hours to a third country or region (including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) before arrival. For transit, the departure and destination should be in different countries or regions. (Example: Country A → Mainland China → Country B)
B. About Ports: During the layover, travelers cannot transfer between regions outside the airport.
C. About Duration: The 144-hour visa-free period starts at 00:00 on the day following arrival, not the actual arrival time.
The updated visa exemption regulations provide greater convenience for foreign travelers, offering opportunities for deeper layover tourism experiences. For detailed requirements, application guidelines, airport stay options, and practical tips for planning an exciting trip to China, please read our 144-Hour China Transit Visa-Free Policy.
5. Exploring the Yangtze River Delta (Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang)
Maps of Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang
Since January 30, 2016, travelers have been eligible for a 144-hour visa-free transit in the Yangtze River Delta region, which includes Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Nanjing. As of December 1, 2019, Ningbo in Zhejiang Province also joined this policy. Eligible foreign visitors can stay visa-free in any city across Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang for up to 144 hours (6 days).
Travel Tips: Visitors can spend more time admiring the scenic beauty along the Yangtze River. We recommend a relaxing, in-depth exploration of Shanghai, or visiting nearby cities like Hangzhou and Suzhou.
Entry Ports (8): Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Nanjing Lukou International Airport, Shanghai Railway Station, Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, Ningbo Lishe International Airport.
Stay Area: Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo, Shaoxing, Jinhua, and other cities within Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces.
6. Visiting Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region
Maps of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei
As of December 28, 2017, a 144-hour visa-free transit policy has been available in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Eligible travelers may enter and exit through six designated ports and stay up to 144 hours in the Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei areas.
Travel Tips: With six days visa-free, visitors can plan a wonderful layover tour of Beijing. Consider a hike along the Great Wall, visiting landmarks like the Forbidden City, joining special events, or sampling Beijing’s local cuisine to experience the culture and history of northern China’s economic powerhouse.
Entry Ports (6): Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing West Railway Station, Tianjin Binhai International Airport, Tianjin International Cruise Home Port, Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport, Qinhuangdao Port.
Stay Area: Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao, Zhangjiakou, Chengde, and other cities in Hebei Province.
7. Touring the Pearl River Delta (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Other Guangdong Cities)
Map of Guangdong Province
Following Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, Guangdong Province began its 144-hour visa-free transit policy on May 1, 2019. Eligible foreign travelers transiting through Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Jieyang airports can enter Guangdong Province visa-free, including all 21 cities, and exit from any of Guangdong’s 32 ports.
Travel Tips: This policy connects seamlessly with various tourism resources in the Greater Bay Area. Travelers can explore the unique charm of Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Jiangmen, and more. Then, experience the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge or take the direct train to Hong Kong.
Entry Ports (3): Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Jieyang Chaoshan Airport.
Stay Area: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Shunde, Jiangmen, Shantou, Dongguan, and all 21 cities in Guangdong Province.
8. Exploring Shenyang and Dalian (Liaoning Province)
Liaoning’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy, effective from January 1, 2018, allows eligible travelers transiting through Shenyang or Dalian to explore the entire province visa-free for up to 144 hours. Visitors can use this time to travel to any city within Liaoning from Shenyang or Dalian.
Travel Tips: For those en route to North Korea or Japan via Liaoning, the visa-free policy provides the perfect opportunity to discover the unique charm and local culture of cities like Shenyang and Dalian.
Entry Ports (2): Shenyang Taoxian International Airport, Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport.
Stay Area: Shenyang, Dalian, Anshan, Fushun, Dandong, and any city within Liaoning Province.
9. Hainan 59-Country 30-Day Visa-Free Entry
Nationality Requirements: 59 countries or regions (including the U.S., UK, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia…)
Visa-Free Stay Duration: Up to 30 days
Entry Ports: Sanya Phoenix International Airport, Haikou Meilan International Airport, and other ports in Hainan Province
Available Destinations: Sanya, Haikou, and all cities within Hainan
Since May 1, 2018, Hainan Province has offered 30-day visa-free stays to citizens of 59 specified countries. Travelers must enter Hainan with a valid passport via one of its entry ports and stay within the province (including Sanya and Haikou) without leaving. Currently, visitors must register with a Hainan travel agency before arrival, though more independent travel options are expected soon.
For those planning to visit Hainan, registration with a local travel agency is required, with personal and travel details submitted prior to arrival. Travelers can then enjoy Hainan’s sunny beaches, palm trees, seafood, and hospitality on China’s beautiful southern island.
Countries eligible for Hainan’s 30-day visa-free policy include:
- Americas (6): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.
- Europe (40): Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, Belarus.
- Oceania (2): Australia, New Zealand.
- Asia (11): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar.
10. Visa-Free 6-Day Pearl River Delta Tour in Guangdong
Visa-Free Duration: 144 hours (6 days)
Entry Ports: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and 10 designated cities
Visitable Areas (10 cities): Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Huizhou, Shantou
Foreign nationals from countries that have diplomatic relations with China and transit through Hong Kong or Macau can enjoy a 6-day visa-free entry to the Pearl River Delta region. Under the 144-hour visa-free policy, tourists can travel from Hong Kong or Macau directly to Guangdong province’s cities, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, and others, and fully experience the Lingnan culture, history, architecture, and cuisine of the Pearl River Delta region.
Eligibility Requirements for Foreign Nationals:
- Hold a valid passport.
- Currently reside in Hong Kong or Macau and plan to visit the Pearl River Delta region from there.
- Participate in a group tour organized by a travel agency registered in Hong Kong or Macau.
Note: Besides this visa-free group tour option, Guangdong also offers a 144-hour visa-free transit policy for transit passengers.
11. 6-Day Visa-Free Entry for ASEAN Tourism Groups in Guilin
Nationality Requirements: Citizens of ASEAN countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam)
Visa-Free Duration: 144 hours (6 days)
Entry Port: Guilin Liangjiang International Airport
Since May 2015, citizens of ASEAN countries can enjoy a 6-day visa-free entry to Guilin when arriving as part of a tourism group (minimum of 2 people) organized in their home country. The only entry and exit port is Guilin Liangjiang International Airport.
Travel Tips: During the 6-day stay, visitors can explore Guilin city, cruise on the Li River, visit Longsheng’s terraced fields, and go cycling in Yangshuo—essential activities for any Guilin trip.
12. 15-Day Visa-Free Entry for Cruise Tour Groups
Visa-Free Duration: 15 days
Entry Ports: Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal
Visitable Areas: Transit cities or regions
Eligible Cities (3) and Provinces (9): Shanghai, Tianjin, Beijing, and the provinces of Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan
Since October 1, 2016, Shanghai has offered a 15-day visa-free entry for foreign tourists arriving on international cruises. On May 15, 2024, China’s National Immigration Administration expanded this visa-free policy to 12 more cities, including Tianjin, Dalian (Liaoning), Lianyungang (Jiangsu), Wenzhou and Zhoushan (Zhejiang), Xiamen (Fujian), Qingdao (Shandong), Guangzhou and Shenzhen (Guangdong), Beihai (Guangxi), Haikou, and Sanya (Hainan). Cruise tour groups must be organized by travel agencies registered in China and may enter via the designated cruise ports in these cities. Visitors can stay and travel along coastal cities, with the total stay not exceeding 15 days.
13. Visa-Free Entry to Hong Kong
- Nationality Requirements: Citizens from 170 countries/regions (including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, etc.)
- Visa-Free Duration: 7–180 days
- Entry Ports: Hong Kong International Airport, cruise terminals, and land ports
As a Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong has a visa policy different from mainland China. Citizens from approximately 170 countries and regions can enter Hong Kong without a visa for tourism or business, with stay durations varying by nationality, ranging from 7 days to 180 days.
Examples:
- U.S., Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, and Japan – 90 days
- UK – 180 days
14. Visa-Free Policy for Macau
- Nationality Requirements: Citizens from 79 countries/regions (including the USA, UK, Canada, Malaysia, etc.)
- Visa-Free Duration: 14 days to 1 year
- Entry Ports: Macau International Airport, cruise terminals, and land ports
Like Hong Kong, Macau allows visa-free entry for tourism or business to citizens of 79 countries. The duration varies depending on nationality, with EU and Schengen passport holders allowed a 90-day stay, while visitors from Brunei may stay for 14 days, and most others for 30 days.
Examples:
- UK – 6 months
- New Zealand – 3 months
- USA, Canada, Austria, France, Germany, and Italy – 30 days
15. Mutual Visa-Free Agreements with China
- Nationality Requirements: Citizens from 14 countries (e.g., Fiji, Grenada, San Marino, Qatar, Tonga, Serbia)
- Visa-Free Duration: 30–90 days
- Entry Ports: All mainland China ports
Complete list of 144 countries that have signed bilateral agreements with China, but only 14 of these apply to ordinary passport holders, with the rest covering only diplomatic or official passports. For eligible nationalities, the stay duration ranges from 30 to 90 days.
16. Holders of a Valid APEC Business Travel Card
- Nationality Requirements: Citizens of APEC member economies (21 countries)
- Visa-Free Duration: Up to 60 days per entry
- Entry Ports: All mainland China ports
The APEC Business Travel Card functions as a multi-entry visa valid for five years, allowing eligible business visitors from 21 APEC countries to enter China multiple times without a visa for stays of up to 60 days each.
17. Holders of the Foreigner’s Permanent Residence ID Card of China
China’s Foreigner’s Permanent Residence ID Card, known as the “Green Card,” allows foreign nationals to reside in China without entry and exit restrictions and to enjoy rights similar to Chinese citizens. The latest version, updated in 2017, is equivalent to the second-generation ID card and can be used for booking train tickets, hotels, opening bank accounts, and other services.
18. Holders of a Chinese Residence Permit
Residence permits are issued to foreigners with D, Z, J1, Q1, S1, X1, or other long-term visas, allowing multiple entries into China. Foreigners holding these permits do not need to reapply for a visa, as the permit itself authorizes multiple entries. Applicants holding qualifying visas must apply for a residence permit within 30 days of arrival at a local public security bureau.
19. Special Visa-Free Policies for Border Regions in China
Some of China’s border regions offer visa-free policies for certain foreign nationals:
- Russian citizens in Amur Oblast can visit Heihe for one day without a visa.
- Russian tour groups of two or more can visit Suifenhe visa-free.
- Kazakh citizens can enjoy a 3-day visa-free visit to Tacheng in Xinjiang.
These policies allow visitors from neighboring countries to explore select Chinese border regions without the need for a Chinese visa.