Deep Dive: The 30-Day Visa-Free Entry Policy Of China

The 30-Day Visa-Free Entry Policy

The 30-day visa-free entry policy allows eligible foreigners to visit mainland China without a visa for up to 30 days. Which means you don’t need a visa, just book a round-trip ticket, then you can travel all over the China. So easy！

As of August 2025, it’s available to citizens of 75 countries in total, combining unilateral exemptions with mutual agreements, and has been extended until at least December 31, 2025, for most, with some like recent Latin American additions valid until May 31, 2026. Unlike the transit policy, it doesn’t require an onward ticket to a third country, offering more flexibility for direct travel to and from China.

Key Requirements

To qualify, ensure you meet these straightforward criteria:

  • Valid Passport: An ordinary passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure from China.
  • Purpose of Visit: Limited to tourism, business, visiting relatives/friends, or short exchanges/transit. No work, study, or other activities allowed.
  • Entry and Stay: Enter via any international port (airports, seaports, land borders). The 30-day countdown starts from the date of entry (e.g., enter on Day 1, must leave by midnight on Day 30). Multiple entries aren’t permitted under this policy—it’s single-entry only.
  • Proofs at Immigration: Have return/onward tickets, hotel bookings, and sufficient funds (though not always strictly checked). Fingerprinting and facial recognition are standard upon arrival.
  • No Advance Application: Just show up eligible; approval is granted on-site if conditions are met.

Important Notes and Precautions

  • Stay Limits and Scope: Nationwide access—no regional restrictions like in transit policies. However, register with local police within 24 hours if not staying in a hotel (hotels do this automatically).
  • Prohibited Activities: Strictly no employment, journalism, or religious proselytizing. Violators face fines, detention, or bans.

Eligible Countries

The latest list, update (July 11, 2025))

Visa Policy DetailsCountries
Countries with 30-day visa-free stay:
Period: no limit for now
(Based on bilateral visa exemption agreements)		Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Antigua and Barbuda, Albania, United Arab Emirates, Barbados, Bahamas, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Qatar, Mauritius, Serbia, Seychelles, San Marino, Suriname, Tonga, Armenia, Georgia, Ecuador, Solomon Islands, Independent State of Samoa, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan.
Countries with 30-day visa-free stay: Period: November 30, 2024, to December 31, 2025Brunei, South Korea, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, New Zealand, Australia.
Countries with 30-day visa-free stay: Period: June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2026
Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay.
Countries with 30-day visa-free stay: Period: June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026
Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain.

Question & Answear

Question 1: Do foreigners need to pre-declare through Chinese embassies or consulates abroad to utilize the visa-free entry policy for China?
Answer 1: No, eligible foreigners can enter China under the visa-free policy without any prior declaration to Chinese diplomatic missions abroad.

Question 2: Does the Chinese border inspection authority verify the purpose of the visit, and if so, how? Besides a passport, are other documents required upon entry?
Answer 2: Foreigners whose purpose of visit aligns with the visa-free policy—such as business, tourism and sightseeing, visiting relatives or friends, or transit—will be permitted entry after legal verification by Chinese border authorities. If the purpose does not match the policy or if other legal grounds for denial exist, entry will be refused. It is advisable to carry supporting documents like invitation letters, flight tickets, and hotel bookings that correspond to your stated purpose. Note that individuals coming for work, study, journalism, or similar activities are not eligible for visa-free entry.

Question 3: Are there any special requirements for minors using the visa-free entry policy to China?
Answer 3: No, minors are subject to the same eligibility conditions as adults when applying the visa-free policy to enter China.

Question 4: Can foreigners depart from a country other than their country of nationality?
Answer 4: Yes, eligible foreigners can depart from any country or region outside of China to enter under the visa-free policy.

Question 5: Does the policy apply to entry methods other than by air?
Answer 5: The unilateral visa-free policy applies to all sea, land, and air ports open to foreigners (unless otherwise specified by laws, regulations, or bilateral agreements). If arriving via self-provided transportation, you must comply with Chinese laws and regulations for handling vehicle entry and exit procedures.

Question 6: Can tourist groups qualify for visa-free entry?
Answer 6: Yes, eligible foreigners—whether traveling as part of a tour group or independently—can enter China under the visa-free policy.

Question 7: Is multiple entry allowed? Are there requirements for the interval between entries, or limits on the number of visa-free entries or total stay duration?
Answer 7: Eligible foreigners can use the visa-free policy for multiple entries, with no current restrictions on the number of entries, intervals between them, or total stay duration. However, you must ensure not to engage in any activities inconsistent with your declared purpose of entry.

Official website of the National Immigration Administration(NIA), where you can easily double-check the latest policies

https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1699641/content.html

https://cs.mfa.gov.cn/wgrlh/lhqz/cjwdn_660600/201407/t20140718_961574.shtml

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