Visa-Free Entry for 15 Days: Convenience for European, Asian, and Oceanian Travelers to Mainland China
Mainland China is gradually opening its doors to travelers from around the world, inviting them to explore the historical and cultural landmarks, natural scenery, and experience the rich heritage and culture, as well as the ever-evolving modern cities of this ancient civilization.
Currently, many travelers from European, Asian, and Oceanian countries can enjoy the convenience of entering mainland China visa-free for up to 15 days with their personal passports.
If you fall into the following categories, you do not need to obtain a visa before traveling to China.
- According to bilateral agreements, citizens of certain countries (List of Countries with Mutual Visa Exemption Agreements) holding the appropriate passports can visit China without a visa.
- Citizens of Singapore, Brunei, and Japan holding ordinary passports can visit mainland China for tourism, business, visiting relatives and friends, or transiting for up to 15 days without a visa, entering through ports open to foreign nationals. However, nationals of the aforementioned countries must obtain a visa in advance under the following circumstances:
a) Holding ordinary passports and planning to stay in China for more than 15 days for tourism, business, or visiting relatives and friends.
b) Holding ordinary passports and coming to China for study, work, permanent residence, or journalism.
c) Holding Japanese diplomatic or official passports.
According to bilateral agreements, holders of diplomatic and official passports from Singapore and Brunei can stay without a visa for up to 30 days. - Foreigners holding ordinary passports from countries that have diplomatic relations with China, and who travel to Hong Kong or Macau, can enter the Pearl River Delta region (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Huizhou) for tourism for up to 6 days without a visa if organized by a legally registered travel agency in Hong Kong or Macau. This policy also applies to group tours visiting Shantou, provided they exit directly from Shantou and do not travel beyond its administrative area.Please note that the Chinese border control authorities have the right to decide whether or not to permit entry to China based on specific circumstances.
- Foreigners with confirmed onward tickets on international flights transiting through China and staying in the transit city for no more than 24 hours without leaving the airport can transit without a visa. To leave the airport temporarily, you must apply for a stay permit at the airport’s border control station.Please note that the Chinese border control authorities have the right to decide whether or not to permit entry to China based on specific circumstances.
- Citizens of 53 countries holding valid international travel documents and confirmed onward tickets to a third country (region) can transit through 15 cities (16 ports) in China without a visa for up to 72 hours. The cities include Beijing (Capital International Airport), Shanghai (Hongqiao and Pudong International Airports), Guangzhou (Baiyun International Airport), Chengdu (Shuangliu International Airport), Chongqing (Jiangbei International Airport), Shenyang (Taoxian International Airport), Dalian (Zhoushuizi International Airport), Hangzhou (Xiaoshan International Airport), Guilin (Liangjiang International Airport), Kunming (Changshui International Airport), Xi’an (Xianyang International Airport), Xiamen (Gaoqi International Airport), Harbin (Taiping International Airport), Wuhan (Tianhe International Airport), and Tianjin (Binhai International Airport).List of 53 countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar.
- Citizens holding ordinary passports from the following 21 countries can travel to Hainan Province in groups (of 5 or more) organized by an international travel agency registered in Hainan and approved by the China National Tourism Administration, and stay for up to 15 days without a visa: Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, United Kingdom, France, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Netherlands, United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Ukraine, Kazakhstan.Citizens of South Korea, Germany, and Russia holding ordinary passports can travel to Hainan in groups (of 2 or more) and stay for up to 21 days without a visa under the same conditions.
- Foreigners holding valid Permanent Residence Permits for Foreigners or Foreigners' Residence Permits can enter China without a visa.
- Holders of valid APEC Business Travel Cards can enter China without a visa.Please note that the Chinese border control authorities have the right to decide whether or not to permit entry to China based on specific circumstances.
Travel Tips:
- Plan Ahead: Ensure your travel itinerary aligns with the visa-free stay limits if you qualify. Otherwise, apply for a visa well in advance of your trip.
- Carry Necessary Documents: Always have your passport, confirmed tickets, and any relevant travel documents on hand.
- Understand Regional Policies: Different regions in China might have specific entry policies. Check the latest information before traveling.
- Be Prepared for Inspections: Chinese border control has the final say on entry, so be ready to answer questions about your travel plans.
- Stay Informed: Regulations can change. Consult the official Chinese embassy or consulate for the most current travel information before your trip.
