Part I: China Visa-Free Entry (30-Day Unilateral & Mutual Visa Exemption)
Holding an ordinary passport, citizens of 79 countries can enter China visa-free for tourism (including unilateral and mutual agreements). The standard allowed duration of stay is 30 days per entry (exceptions are noted below):
1. Asia (15 Countries)
Unilateral Visa-Free (7 countries): Japan, South Korea, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain
Mutual Visa Exemption (8 countries): Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan
2. Europe (38 Countries)
Unilateral Visa-Free (35 countries): France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Sweden, United Kingdom, Russia
Mutual Visa Exemption (3 countries): Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus
3. Americas (14 Countries)
Unilateral Visa-Free (6 countries): Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay
Mutual Visa Exemption (8 countries): Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Suriname, Ecuador, Grenada, Bahamas, Barbados
4. Oceania (7 Countries)
Unilateral Visa-Free (2 countries): Australia, New Zealand
Mutual Visa Exemption (5 countries): Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Albania (Note: Albania is geographically in Europe, but categorized here for reference)
5. Africa (5 Countries)
Mutual Visa Exemption (5 countries): Seychelles, Mauritius (stay up to 60 days), Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, San Marino (stay up to 90 days)
Important Rules and Time Calculation
Calculation of Stay: The visa-free period (e.g., 30 days) begins at 00:00 on the day following entry (for example: if you enter on October 1, the stay period starts at 00:00 on October 2, allowing you to stay until 24:00 on October 31).
Document Verification: No prior visa application is required, but immigration officers reserve the right to inspect proof of accommodations (hotel bookings), return/onward tickets, or invitation letters.
Scope of Travel: As long as you hold an ordinary passport from an eligible country, you can travel freely across almost all regions of China during your stay, similar to a standard Chinese tourist visa holder.
Special Restricted Areas (Exceptions)
While visa-free entry imposes no provincial or city restrictions, specific regions require extra permits for all foreign nationals:
Tibet Autonomous Region: Foreign travelers cannot travel independently in Tibet. You must apply for a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) through an authorized travel agency before entry and be accompanied by a licensed tour guide.
Border Control & Military Zones: Certain border counties/cities (such as border port regions in Xinjiang, Yunnan, or Tibet) require a Border Pass. Restricted military areas or sensitive facilities are closed to foreigners.
Accommodation Registration
Visa-free travelers must comply with foreign national residence registration rules:
Hotels: Registration is completed automatically by the hotel upon check-in.
Private Residence / Staying with Friends or Family: You or your host must register at the local police station or Foreigners' Service Desk within 24 hours of arrival.
Part II: China 240-Hour (10-Day) Visa-Free Transit Policy
Eligible travelers holding valid ordinary passports from 8 countries can apply for a Temporary Entry Permit at designated ports of entry without obtaining a visa in advance, allowing a stay of up to 240 hours.
Part I. Countries Eligible for 240-Hour Transit Visa-Free (8 Countries)
Americas (2 countries)
United States, Mexico
Europe (5 countries)
Czech Republic, Lithuania, Ukraine, Albania, Monaco
Asia (1 country)
Indonesia
Summary:
Direct Round Trips (e.g., New York >>> Shanghai >>> New York): Citizens of these 8 countries MUST apply for a Chinese visa in advance.
Cross-Country / Inter-Region Trips (e.g., New York >>> Shanghai >>> Tokyo): Eligible to apply for the 240-hour Temporary Entry Permit upon arrival at designated Chinese ports.
Part II. Core Requirements for Application
Passport Requirement: Hold a valid international travel document/passport from one of the 8 countries with at least 3 months of validity remaining.
Connecting Ticket: Hold a valid connecting ticket (flight, cruise, or train) with confirmed seats and departure dates to a third country or region within 240 hours.
Port Restrictions: Must enter and exit through one of the 65 designated open ports and remain within the permitted administrative regions across 24 provinces (autonomous regions / municipalities).
Part III: Designated Ports of Entry (65 Open Ports)
1. Major Municipalities & Hub Ports
Beijing (2): Beijing Capital International Airport, Beijing Daxing International Airport
Shanghai (3): Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Passenger Seaport
Tianjin (2): Tianjin Binhai International Airport, Tianjin Passenger Seaport
Chongqing (1): Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
2. East & South China
Guangdong (10):
Airports: Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, Shenzhen Bao'an Airport, Jieyang Chaoshan Airport
Sea / Land / Rail Ports: Guangzhou Nansha Port, Guangzhou Pazhou Passenger Port, Shenzhen Shekou Port, Hengqin Port, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port, Zhongshan Port, West Kowloon Station Port (Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link)
Jiangsu (4): Nanjing Lukou Airport, Sunan Shuofang Airport (Wuxi), Yangzhou Taizhou Airport, Lianyungang Passenger Seaport
Zhejiang (6): Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport, Ningbo Lishe Airport, Wenzhou Longwan Airport, Yiwu Airport, Wenzhou Passenger Seaport, Zhoushan Passenger Seaport
Fujian (5): Fuzhou Changle Airport, Xiamen Gaoqi Airport, Quanzhou Jinjiang Airport, Wuyishan Airport, Xiamen Passenger Seaport
Shandong (5): Jinan Yaoqiang Airport, Qingdao Jiaodong Airport, Yantai Penglai Airport, Weihai Dashuipo Airport, Qingdao Passenger Seaport
Anhui (2): Hefei Xinqiao Airport, Huangshan Tunxi Airport
Jiangxi (1): Nanchang Changbei Airport
3. Central & North China
Henan (1): Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport
Hubei (1): Wuhan Tianhe Airport
Hunan (2): Changsha Huanghua Airport, Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport
Shanxi (1): Taiyuan Wusu Airport
Hebei (2): Shijiazhuang Zhengding Airport, Qinhuidao Passenger Seaport
Liaoning (3): Shenyang Taoxian Airport, Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport, Dalian Passenger Seaport
Heilongjiang (1): Harbin Taiping Airport
4. Southwest, Northwest & Coastal Regions
Sichuan (2): Chengdu Shuangliu Airport, Chengdu Tianfu Airport
Yunnan (3): Kunming Changshui Airport, Lijiang Sanyi Airport, Mohan Railway Port
Guangxi (4): Nanning Wuxu Airport, Guilin Liangjiang Airport, Beihai Fucheng Airport, Beihai Passenger Seaport
Hainan (2): Haikou Meilan Airport, Sanya Phoenix Airport
Shaanxi (1): Xi'an Xianyang Airport
Guizhou (1): Guiyang Longdongbao Airport
Port Clearance Notes
Entry/Exit Consistency: In most provinces, you must enter through a designated port listed above and may exit through any open port within that same province.
Onward Verification: Upon arrival, proceed to the dedicated "240-Hour Visa-Free Transit / Temporary Entry Permit" desk and present your confirmed onward tickets to a third country/region.
Part IV: Permitted Stay Areas for Transit Passengers
Passengers entering under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy are allowed to travel across 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities.
1. Full Province/Municipality Coverage (17 Provinces/Municipalities)
Travelers entering through ports in the following regions can travel anywhere within the entire administrative area of that province or municipality:
Municipalities: Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing
East / South / Central: Guangdong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Hainan
North / Northwest / Southwest: Hebei, Liaoning, Shaanxi, Guizhou
2. Specific City Restrictions (7 Provinces/Autonomous Regions)
Travelers entering through ports in the following provinces must remain within the borders of the designated cities:
Sichuan (11 cities): Chengdu, Leshan, Deyang, Suining, Meishan, Ya'an, Ziyang, Neijiang, Zigong, Luzhou, Yibin
Yunnan (9 cities/prefectures): Kunming, Lijiang, Yuxi, Pu'er, Chuxiong, Dali, Xishuangbanna, Honghe, Wenshan
Guangxi (12 cities): Nanning, Guilin, Liuzhou, Qinzhou, Beihai, Laibin, Fangchenggang, Wuzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi
Shanxi (2 cities): Taiyuan, Datong
Jiangxi (2 cities): Nanchang, Jingdezhen
Heilongjiang (1 city): Harbin
3. Prohibited Areas
Non-Eligible Provinces: Inner Mongolia, Jilin, Gansu, Qinghai, Ningxia, Xinjiang, and Tibet are currently excluded from the transit visa-free program. Travelers cannot visit these regions without a standard visa.
City Boundaries: In restricted provinces (e.g., Sichuan, Yunnan), travelers are strictly forbidden from leaving the boundaries of the designated cities.
Compliance Guidelines
Permitted Activities: Transit travelers may engage in tourism, business, visits, and family reunions. Working, studying, or journalism activities are strictly prohibited without prior official approval and appropriate visas.
Legal Risks: Exceeding permitted geographical boundaries or overstaying the 240-hour limit constitutes illegal residence, subject to fines, detention, and future entry bans.
Accommodation: Hotel check-in completes residence registration automatically. For private stays, register at the local police station within 24 hours.
💡 CRITICAL TRAVEL TIP:
Activate Your eSIM Before Arrival in China
To ensure a smooth border control process upon landing in mainland China, make sure to install and activate your Global eSIM before boarding your flight or entering the port.
Having active mobile data immediately upon arrival is essential for:
Presenting your digital onward tickets (e.g., via Trip.com) and hotel confirmation vouchers to immigration officers.
Completing online arrival forms or health declarations smoothly.
Staying connected without relying on public airport Wi-Fi, which often requires local SMS verification.