Visa-Free Transit
On December 17, 2024, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced that it will fully relax and optimize the visa-free transit policy, which is effective immediately.
- The stay duration for foreign nationals eligible for visa-free transit has been extended from the previous 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days).
- 21 ports of entry and exit have been added for visa-free transit individuals, further expanding the allowed areas for visa-free transit travelers. The number of opened ports has increased from the original 39 to 60.
- The fully relaxed and optimized 240-hour visa-free transit policy has further expanded the allowed areas for visa-free transit travelers. The number of provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) that can be visited under this policy has increased from the original 19 (Beijing Municipality, Tianjin Municipality, Hebei Province, Liaoning Province, Heilongjiang Province, Shanghai Municipality, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Shandong Province, Henan Province, Hubei Province, Hunan Province, Guangdong Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Chongqing Municipality, Sichuan Province, Yunnan Province, and Shaanxi Province) to 24 (with Shanxi Province, Anhui Province, Jiangxi Province, Hainan Province, and Guizhou Province added to the list).
Eligible countries and regions
Citizens of the following 54 countries (regions) holding ordinary passports can apply for a 240-hour transit visa exemption:
26 Schengen countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovak, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Croatia, and Norway.
14 other European countries: Russia, Great Britain, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, and Monaco.
6 American countries: The United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile.
2 Oceanian countries: Australia and New Zealand
6 Asian countries: The Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
For details, see the National Immigration Administration: https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202412/17/content_WS6760ead6c6d0868f4e8ee0c1.html
Unilateral Visa Exemption Policy
Starting from December 1, 2023, China has implemented a trial policy of unilateral visa exemption for France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. From March 14, 2024, this trial policy has been extended to include Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Until December 31, 2025, citizens from the above-mentioned countries holding ordinary passports can enter China without a visa for business, tourism, visiting family and friends, and transit purposes for up to 15 days. Travelers from these countries not meeting the visa exemption criteria must obtain a visa before entering China.
Comprehensive Mutual Visa Exemption
As of now, China enjoys comprehensive mutual visa exemptions with 23 countries. These countries include Thailand, Singapore, the Maldives, Kazakhstan, Antigua and Barbuda, Albania, the United Arab Emirates, Barbados, the Bahamas, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Qatar, Mauritius, Serbia, Seychelles, San Marino, Suriname, Tonga, and Armenia.