China's visa-free policies allow nationals of certain countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand to travel to China for stays ranging from 24 hours to 180 days without obtaining a visa if certain requirements are met.
If you want to plan a visa-free trip to China, just contact us.
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1. 30-Day Visa-Free Policy
China has now implemented a 30-day visa-free policy for citizens of several countries, valid until the end of 2025 (Countries unilaterally granted visa-free access by China).
Visa-free countries include:
- Europe: France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia
- Asia: South Korea, Japan, Brunei
- Oceania: New Zealand, Australia
Countries with mutual visa exemption agreements with China can also enjoy a 30-day visa-free stay, with no time limit on the policy. These countries include Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the UAE, and others.
If your nationality isn't listed above, we offer a Port Visa Service for just US$100 per person once your tour booking is confirmed with us. No stress of embassy visits and visa interviews.
2. 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policies: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong...
Valid for: Travelers from 54 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand
Cities that can be visited: Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao; Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing; Shenyang, Dalian, Qingdao; Chengdu; Xiamen, Kunming; Wuhan; Guangdong; Chongqing; Xi'an; and Ningbo.
One visa-free zone per transit: You can only visit the cities and their surrounding area covered by one policy zone before international transit, such as Shanghai and its surrounding area including Hangzhou and Suzhou or Beijing and its surrounding area including Tianjin. You can't travel from one visa-free zone to another: for example, Beijing to Shanghai visa-free travel is not allowed.
How to apply: You just need to apply for a temporary entry permit at your entry airport.
Key Requirement: You will need to be transiting via China to a third region or country. Find out more requirements on 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit policy.
Will My Route Qualify for China 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit?
Quick Test: Will My Route Qualify for China 72/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit?
For example, with a New York – Beijing (transit) – Frankfurt itinerary, you can visit Beijing visa-free, staying for up to 6 days.
An "essential" Beijing trip takes about 3–4 days, including its must-sees like the Forbidden City and Great Wall. Check out our 4-Day Beijing Private Tour.
New York – Beijing – New York doesn't meet the visa-free transit policy requirements, because the policy requires that you must transit from China to a third region or country.
However, you can take advantage of the convenience of Hong Kong and Macau, which are considered as separate regions in the policy. The itinerary New York – Beijing – Hong Kong – New York or New York – Hong Kong – Beijing – New York is doable visa-free.
Transiting in e.g. Hong Kong, you could even access two visa-free zones and return home, e.g. USA–Beijing–HK–Shanghai–USA visa-free!
Just contact us to plan a visa-free tour. We have been providing visa-free tour services for many clients since the introduction of such policies. For any questions/problems throughout your trip, our travel consultants provide 24/7 support.
Here are some appealing China tours that you can experience with the 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit:
- 5-Day 5-Day Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou Bullet Train Tour
- 4-Day Shanghai, Hangzhou, Water Town Culture Tour
- 4-Day Beijing Highlights and Great Wall Night Tour
- 3-Day Chengdu Giant Panda, Giant Buddha, and Ancient Town Tour
3. 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy: Guilin, Harbin, Changsha
Valid for: passport holders from 54 countries or regions, including the USA, the UK, Singapore, Canada, Australia, and Germany
Cities that can be visited: Guilin, Harbin, and Changsha
How to apply: You just need to apply for a temporary entry permit at the entry airport.
The transit requirement: You need to be going via China to a third region or country. Click to learn more about 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit.
Recommended Visa-Free Tours
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Albee Ning with China Highlights never fails to create the perfect vacation!!! She listens and understands what interests us and provides a guided tour that is surreal. We will remember and share the marvellous memories of this experience for the rest of our lives!! Thanks for everything Albee!!! (Including our dinner together by the elephant in Guilin!!) more
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4. The 24-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
Valid for: Almost all foreign tourists
Cities that can be visited: This policy applies to most major cities in China with an international airport, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Tianjin.
How to apply: You just need to apply for a temporary entry permit at the airport.
Key requirement: You need to be going via China to a third region or country.
Recommended Visa-Free Tours
5. Visa-Free Policy in Hong Kong and Macau
For most visitors, a visa is not required if traveling to Hong Kong and/or Macau.
Hong Kong: The former colony continues its liberal entry policies established by the British government. Citizens of about 160 countries can obtain visa-free entry for durations that range from 180 days to 7 days. For more detailed information, see Hong Kong's visa policy.
Macau: This territory's policies are more restrictive than those of Hong Kong. British nationals can stay for 6 months. Citizens of about 38 countries including those of the EU, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and South Korea can stay for 90 days. For more, see Macau's visa policy.
For even greater travel opportunities, you can also plan a visa-free trip to the Chinese Mainland from Hong Kong or Macau by taking advantage of the visa-free policies mentioned earlier or the one below.
Recommended Visa-Free Tours from Hong Kong/Macau
- 5-Day Yangtze River Delta Bullet Train Tour
- 4-Day Beijing Private Tour
- 3-Day Chengdu Giant Panda, Giant Buddha, and Ancient Town Tour
Just contact us to plan a trip from Hong Kong/Macau.
6. 6-Day Pearl River Delta Visa Exemptions
Valid for: international visitors traveling from Hong Kong and/or Macau
Cities that can be visited: those of the conurbation surrounding the Pearl River Delta including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Huizhou, and Shantou.
How to apply: You will need to go with a registered travel agency, such as ours. The permitted tour group size ranges from three to 40 people including the guide.
Recommended Visa-Free Tours
7. 6-Day Visa Exemption for ASEAN Tour Groups to Guilin
Valid for: ASEAN member citizens, including those of Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Myanmar, Brunei, and the Philippines.
City that can be visited: Guilin
How to apply: You will need to join a group tour with a registered travel agency.
Recommended Tours
- 5-Day Guilin Off-the-Beaten-Path Tour
- 6-Day Guilin, Longsheng, & Yangshuo Relaxation
- 4-Day Guilin Scenic and Ethnic Discovery
8. 15-Day Visa-Free Policy for Singaporean & Bruneian Citizens
Starting from July 26, Singaporean & Bruneian citizens holding ordinary passports can enjoy a 15-day visa-free policy for visiting China for business, tourism, family visit, and transit purposes.
- 8-Day Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri-La Tour
- 5-Day Guilin Off-the-Beaten-Path Tour
- 8-Day Xinjiang Tour with Ili (Best for Summer)
- 8-Day North Xinjiang Tour with Kanas (Best for Autumn and Winter)
9. Shanghai 15-Day Visa-Free Policy for Cruise Groups
Valid for: Foreign tourist groups entering China via a Shanghai cruise
Cities that can be visited: You are not only allowed to visit Shanghai but also many other coastal municipalities (Beijing and Tianjin) and provinces (Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan).
Requirements: You must arrive and depart on the same cruise and be received by a Chinese travel agent at the Shanghai Cruise Terminal (or Wusong Passenger Center).
10. Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free Access
Valid for: Ordinary passport holders from 59 countries including the USA, the UK, Canada, and Australia.
Cities that can be visited: Hainan Island
Requirements: Groups and individual tourists must book their tour through an accredited travel agency that's approved by China's National Travel Administration and registered in Hainan Province.
11. APEC Business Travel Card Holders
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card holders can simply enter China with the card without applying for a visa.
Travelers who hold a valid APEC business travel card can stay in China for up to 60 days.
12. Holders of Aliens' Residence Permits
No visa is required for those who hold aliens' permanent residence certificates issued by the People's Republic of China Public Security Bureau (PSB).
Foreigners visiting China for study, employment, or working as resident correspondents must apply for Aliens' Residence Permits with the PSB within a month of arrival in China.
Popular Visa-Free Tours
If you want to enjoy a hassle-free tour that maximizes limited time in China, just contact us. The following itineraries, and any other ideas you may have, can be customized by us to fit your length of stay and other needs:
- 1-Day Beijing Great Wall Layover Tour: Visit the magnificent Mutianyu Great Wall
- 4-Day Beijing Highlights and Great Wall Night Tour
- 4-Day Shanghai, Hangzhou, Water Town Culture Tour
- 4-Day Essence of Guangzhou and Shenzhen Tour