China Visa Free Countries – Which Countries Don’t Need Visa for China

Which countries can travel to China without visa?

China, like many other countries around the world, offers various visa-free policies for international visitors depending on their specific circumstances. Currently, there are over 10 cases of Chinese Visa Exemption, each with specific requirements based on nationality, port of entry, place and duration of stay, among others. Take a look at the following list of China Visa-free countries to see if you are one of the fortunate individuals who do not require a visa to visit China.

China Visa Exemption Countries in Different Visa-free Policies

In addition to visa-free entry to Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau also offer convenient visiting options for many citizens holding ordinary passports. However, it is important to note that all visa-free stays in China require specific qualifications and meeting certain requirements.

Which Countries’ nationals can Enter China’s Mainland without Visa ?

China has implemented various visa-free rules for international visitors traveling to the mainland through specific transportation methods, entry ports, and holding different nationalities of passports.

(1)China has mutual visa exemption agreements with over 20 countries, including Thailand, Singapore, and Serbia…….

China has established a two-way visa-free agreement with 18 foreign countries, allowing eligible visitors to enter China without a visa for a specified period of time. For more information on the permitted duration of stay and other useful tips regarding the Mutual Visa Exemption program, please refer to the following link: Countries List & Duration of Stay.

The countries that have mutual visa exemption agreements with China span across various regions of the world. In Asia, these countries include Thailand, Singapore, Maldives, Kazakhstan, the UAE, Qatar, Armenia, and Georgia. European countries such as Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and San Marino are also part of the agreement. Additionally, African countries like Mauritius and Seychelles, Oceania countries including Fiji, Tonga, and the Solomon Islands, as well as North American countries like Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, and the Bahamas, and the South American country of Suriname are included in the list.

(2)Enjoy a 30-Day Visa-Free stay in over 35 countries including Australia, France, and Spain.

To enhance international cooperation and support the growth of China’s economy, the Chinese government has made the decision to expand the unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from 35+ countries. This initiative aims to facilitate business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for individuals from these countries. The visa-free entry will be valid for up to 15 days until December 31, 2025.

Countries eligible for this visa-free policy include various European nations such as Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland. Additionally, Australia and New Zealand from Oceania, as well as Malaysia, South Korea, Brunei, and Japan from Asia, are included in this list.

For individuals from the aforementioned countries who do not meet the visa-free conditions, they will still be required to apply for a visa before entering China. This initiative aims to promote cultural exchange, economic growth, and international relations between China and foreign nations. To learn more about this visa-free policy, please visit our official website.

(3)China offers visa-free transit to citizens of 54 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Russia, and Singapore.

China has recently implemented two major transit visa exemption policies, known as the 24-Hour and 240-Hour visa-free transit programs.

The 24-Hour Direct Visa-free Transit policy allows foreigners from any country with connecting tickets to a third country or region to transit through China within 24 hours. This policy applies to all ports open to foreigners, but visitors must remain inside the airport and cannot stay for more than 24 hours. It is important to note that each airport in China may have its own restrictions based on nationality and length of stay.

The 240-Hour Visa-free Transit policy is available to citizens of 54 designated countries who wish to transit visa-free in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin, and Chengdu. To qualify, applicants must have connecting transportation tickets to their onward destinations within 240 hours. Visitors can only enter China through specific ports and must stay within designated administrative areas as specified. For more information on China’s 240-Hour Visa-free Transit program, please visit our website.

Country List of the 54 Countries:

European Countries

a. The following European countries are part of the Schengen Visa Agreement: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Monaco.

b. Other European countries not included in the Schengen Visa Agreement are: Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, and Belarus.

American Countries: The United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and the Republic of Chile.

Oceania Countries: Australia and New Zealand.

Asian Countries: South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

Top Recommended China Visa-free Transit Tours:

● 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour with Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking                           ● 3 Days Shanghai Highlights & Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour

● 2 Days Xian City Break                                                                                                     ● 2 Days Guilin Ideal Li River Cruise & Yangshuo Essence Tour

(4)6-Day Visa-Free Guilin Group Tour for Citizens of 10 ASEAN Nations (Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand…)

In addition to the 240-Hour Visa-free Transit option available to transit passengers from 54 countries, Guilin also offers a 144-Hour Visa-free Entry for group tourists from ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations). This special visa-free entry allows group tour members to stay in Guilin for up to 6 days, with entry and exit required through Guilin Liangjian Airport.

To take advantage of this visa-free opportunity, interested travelers must book a group tour through an authorized travel agency in China. The group tour must include visits to Guilin’s administrative area and comply with the 144-hour visa-free entry regulations.

The ASEAN Member States eligible for this visa-free entry option are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

(5)Embark on a 6-Day Visa-Free Group Tour in the Pearl River Delta – China’s Diplomatic Gem

A.If you hold an ordinary passport from a country that has established diplomatic relations with China, you have the opportunity to travel to the Pearl River Delta, which includes cities such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, and Huizhou, without needing a Chinese Visa for up to 6 days. However, there are certain requirements that must be met in order to qualify for this visa-free travel:

1. You must already be in Hong Kong or Macau.
2. Your trip must be organized by a travel agency that is legally registered in Hong Kong or Macau.

B.Additionally, the 6-day visa-free rule also applies to tour groups mentioned above who enter and exit from Shantou, and only stay within the administrative boundaries of Shantou.

(6)Enjoy a 30-Day Visa-Free Entry to Hainan – Available for Citizens of 59 Countries including the US, Canada, Australia, and Malaysia.

As of May 1, 2018, citizens from 59 countries are exempt from needing a visa to travel to Hainan Island, including Haikou and Sanya, through any open ports in Hainan. This exemption allows for a stay of up to 30 days. However, travelers must provide their current travel information, such as passport details, round-trip tickets, hotel reservation, and itinerary in Hainan, to a local travel agency at least 48 hours before their arrival.

59 Hainan Visa-free Countries:

Europe (40 Countries): Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

America (6 countries): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.

Asia (11 countries): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar.

Oceania (2 countries): Australia, New Zealand.

(7) Embark on a 15-Day Visa-Free Cruise Group Tour to Shanghai and China’s Coastal Areas – Open to Visitors from All Countries

Cruise ship visitors holding foreign ordinary passports are permitted to visit Shanghai, Beijing, and other coastal provincial-level cities for a maximum of 15 days.

To qualify for this opportunity, visitors must meet the following requirements:

1. Travel as part of a tour group consisting of at least two members.
2. Enter the country through designated cruise terminals in Shanghai.
3. Be organized and received by a travel agency that is legally registered in China.
4. Limit their movement to specific regions, including Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi, Hainan, Hebei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Liaoning, and Shandong.

Popular Shanghai Tours: 2 Days Classic Shanghai City Tour / 3 Days Best Shanghai Tour with Half-day Cycling

Popular Beijing Tours: 2 Days Beijing Layover Highlights Tour / 3 Days Beijing Essential Short Stay Tour

(8)Special Document Holders – 21 APEC Member States & Foreign Nationals Residing in China

*APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) Holders:Holders of this visa are entitled to multiple-entry business visits to mainland China for up to 60 days per entry over a period of five years.

21 APEC Economies:The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) consists of 21 economies: Australia, Brunei, Chile, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

*Holders of People’s Republic of China Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card & Residence Permit: Holders of this visa are granted the privilege of enjoying multiple-entry business visits to mainland China for up to 60 days per entry. With these two valid certificates, foreigners can stay in China and enter and exit the country multiple times without the need to apply for a Chinese Visa. The Permanent ID Card signifies that you are a permanent resident in China. If you have obtained a China D/Z/J1/J2/S1/X1 Visa, it is imperative that you apply for a Residence Permit from the local Public Security Bureau within 30 days of your arrival.

(9)Visa-Free Travel in China’s Border Areas with Russia and Kazakhstan

*Residents of Amur Oblast, Russia are now able to enjoy a one-day visa-free visit to Heihe in Heilongjiang Province, located in Northeastern China.

*Russian citizens, traveling in groups of at least two members, are eligible for a 15-day visa-free visit to Suifenhe in Heilongjiang Province.

*Kazakhstan citizens have the opportunity to visit Tacheng in Xinjiang visa-free for up to three days.

Who can Travel to Hong Kong without Visa？

Hong Kong offers a visa waiver program for tourists and transit visitors from 170 foreign countries/regions. This program allows visitors to stay in Hong Kong for a specified duration, ranging from 7 days to 180 days. If your nationality is on Hong Kong’s Visa-free list, you can enter and stay in Hong Kong without a visa for the designated period.

It is important to note that Indian citizens must complete a pre-arrival registration to enjoy a 14-day visa-free visit to Hong Kong. If you plan to visit Hong Kong for purposes other than tourism or wish to stay longer than the allowed time, you will need to obtain a visa or entry permit before arrival.

For UK citizens, the visa requirements for Hong Kong can be found in the following list.

Hong Kong Visa-free Period:

Nationality	Visa-free Duration	Nationality	Visa-free Duration	Nationality	Visa-free Duration
Britain	180 days	U.S.A.	90 days	Australia	90 days
Canada	90 days	New Zealand	90 days	France	90 days
Germany	90 days	Malaysia	90 days	Philippines	14 days

Which Citizens Don’t Need A Visa for Macau ?

Citizens from 79 countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, are permitted to enter Macau SAR without the need for a visa, as long as their visit is for tourism or business purposes. Under the visa exemption policy, foreign visitors can stay in Macau for varying lengths of time, ranging from 14 days to up to 1 year, depending on their nationality and purpose of visit.

Macau Visa-free Period: