How can foreigners enter mainland China? Every entry route and its requirements, answered

All routes at a glance

Work, study and news reporting need the matching visa under every visa-free route. Each route has its own conditions; the answers below give the details.

What are the ways for a foreigner to enter mainland China?

There are ten main routes: a visa; 30-day unilateral visa-free entry; a mutual visa exemption agreement; 240-hour visa-free transit; 24-hour direct transit; a port visa for urgent trips; Hainan 30-day visa-free entry; group visa-free routes; an APEC Business Travel Card; and the Mainland Travel Permit for non-Chinese Hong Kong and Macao permanent residents.

Which route should I check first?

Check your passport nationality against the 30-day unilateral list and the mutual exemption agreements first. If neither applies, check whether your trip is a transit to a third country; if not, apply for a visa before travelling.

Visa

When do I need a Chinese visa?

When no visa-free route fits your nationality, purpose, route or length of stay, and always for work, study or news reporting. You apply before travelling at the Chinese embassy, consulate or visa centre that covers where you live.

Which visa types are there?

The main types are L for tourism, M for business and trade, F for exchanges and visits, Q1 and Q2 for family of Chinese citizens or permanent residents, S1 and S2 for family of foreigners working or studying in China, Z for work, X1 and X2 for study, G for transit, and others such as J, C, D and R.

Do long-term visas need anything after arrival?

Yes. D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 and Z visas require a residence permit after entry, and the application must be made within 30 days of arrival at the public security exit-entry office where you will live.

30-day unilateral visa-free entry

Which countries can enter China visa-free for 30 days?

Ordinary passport holders from 50 countries: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Uruguay.

How long is the 30-day visa-free policy valid?

For most countries until 31 December 2026; for Russia until 31 December 2027; Brunei has no end date set. No extension beyond 2026 had been announced on 14 October 2026.

What can I do on a 30-day visa-free entry?

Business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchange visits and transit. The 30 days count from 00:00 on the day after you enter.

Is the United States on the 30-day list?

No. US citizens need a visa for a direct trip, unless they qualify for 240-hour visa-free transit or another route.

Mutual visa exemption agreements

Agreements covering ordinary passports, from the National Immigration Administration table (as of April 2025) and later official announcements:

What is a mutual visa exemption agreement?

A bilateral agreement under which citizens of both countries holding the passport types named in it can visit each other without applying for a visa in advance. The stay allowed depends on the agreement.

How is "90 days within 180 days" counted?

From any day of your stay, count back 180 days; your visa-free days in that window must not exceed 90. Days spent in China on a visa, residence permit or APEC card do not count. If you already have 90 days, visa-free entry is refused.

Can I extend a stay under a mutual exemption agreement?

Only for emergencies or force majeure. Apply for a stay permit at the local public security exit-entry office before the visa-free period ends.

Are Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia visa-free for China?

Yes, through mutual agreements for ordinary passports: Singapore 30 days; Thailand and Malaysia 30 days per visit, up to 90 days within any 180 days.

240-hour visa-free transit

Who can use 240-hour visa-free transit?

Ordinary passport holders from 57 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and most European countries, who are travelling on to a third country or region.

What are the conditions for 240-hour transit?

An onward ticket with a confirmed seat and departure date to a third country or region, entry through one of the 65 designated ports in 24 provinces, and staying only in the permitted areas for no more than 10 days.

Can I fly from the US to China and back to the US on 240-hour transit?

No. The policy requires travel on to a third country or region, not a return to the country you came from. A round trip needs a visa or another route.

24-hour direct transit

Do I need a visa to change planes in China within 24 hours?

No, if you hold a valid travel document and an onward international ticket with a confirmed seat, and you stay in the port restricted area. This applies to all nationalities.

Can I leave the airport during a 24-hour transit?

Only with a temporary entry permit from the border inspection authority at the port.

Port visa (visa on arrival)

Can I get a visa on arrival in China?

Yes, as a port visa, but only for urgent needs when there was no time to apply at an embassy or consulate, such as urgent business, investment, visiting critically ill relatives or attending a funeral. It is not a general visa on arrival for tourism.

Where can I get a port visa?

At 99 ports in 72 cities. Apply in advance to the port visa authority at your intended port, yourself or through the inviting party, then collect the visa on arrival; applying only on arrival risks refusal.

What documents does a port visa need?

A valid passport and proof of the urgent reason. For urgent business, the inviting party's letter explaining the purpose, the emergency and the itinerary, plus proof of the emergency.

Hainan 30-day visa-free entry

Which countries can visit Hainan visa-free?

Ordinary passport holders from 61 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Kazakhstan and most European countries, can enter through any Hainan port.

How long can I stay in Hainan without a visa?

Up to 30 days, only within Hainan Province, for tourism, business, visits, family visits, medical treatment, conferences, exhibitions or sports events. Work and study are excluded.

Group visa-free routes

Can cruise passengers enter China without a visa?

Yes, as a tour group of two or more organised by a travel agency registered in China, entering by cruise ship at one of 13 cruise ports and leaving on the same ship. The group may stay up to 15 days in Beijing and 11 coastal provinces and municipalities.

Which cruise ports are included?

Beihai, Dalian, Guangzhou, Haikou, Lianyungang, Qingdao, Sanya, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Wenzhou, Xiamen and Zhoushan.

Can ASEAN tour groups enter visa-free?

Yes. Tour groups of two or more from ASEAN countries, organised by a travel agency registered in China, can enter Xishuangbanna in Yunnan or Guilin in Guangxi visa-free and stay up to 6 days in that area.

Can I join a tour from Hong Kong or Macao into Guangdong without a visa?

Yes, if you hold an ordinary passport of a country with diplomatic relations with China and travel in a tour group organised by a Hong Kong or Macao travel agency. The group may stay up to 6 days in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Huizhou and Shantou. A similar 6-day route exists into Hainan.

APEC Business Travel Card

Can I enter China with an APEC Business Travel Card?

Yes, if "CHN" is listed on the back of the card. You can enter visa-free during the card's validity and stay up to 60 days per entry. Without CHN on the card you need a visa unless another exemption applies.

What if I need to stay longer than 60 days on an APEC card?

For medical or business emergencies, apply for a stay permit at the local exit-entry office 7 days before your stay ends. Up to 30 more days may be granted.

Non-Chinese residents of Hong Kong and Macao

How do non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong or Macao travel to the mainland?

With the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese citizens). It is valid for 5 years for multiple trips, each stay up to 90 days, for purposes such as tourism, business and visiting relatives.

Where do I apply for the Mainland Travel Permit and what does it cost?

First applications go through China Travel Service in Hong Kong or Macao, in person. It is issued within 20 working days; the first application fee in Hong Kong or Macao is HKD 260.