2.1 Do I need a visa to visit China?

China has been gradually opening up and simplifying its entry policies, especially for short-term visitors.
However, the answer to “Do I need a visa to enter China?” is not the same for everyone. It depends on:

Your nationality
Your purpose of visit
Your travel route and mode of transport
How long you plan to stay in China

This guide walks you through the main visa‑free options and what to do if you’re not covered by them.

1. Visa-free entry: the main fast tracks

China currently has several types of visa‑free arrangements. The main categories are:

Unilateral visa‑free entry for certain nationalities
Mutual visa‑waiver agreements
Transit visa‑free policies
Visa‑free entry for cruise groups

Let’s look at each of them in turn.

2. Unilateral visa‑free policy (up to 30 days)

China grants 30‑day visa‑free entry to ordinary passport holders from a group of countries, mainly in:

Europe (over 30 countries)
Asia (several countries including Japan, Korea and some Gulf states)
South America
Oceania

If you hold a passport from one of these countries and you are visiting China for:

Tourism
Business meetings
Visiting friends or relatives
Short-term exchanges
Transit

you may be able to enter without a visa and stay up to 30 days.

Because the list can change, always check the latest official information from the
National Immigration Administration of China or your local Chinese embassy/consulate.

Key things to know about the 30‑day visa‑free stay

No need to apply in advance
You don’t have to submit anything to a Chinese embassy or consulate beforehand.
Border checks still matter
At the border, immigration officers will review your purpose of visit.
It’s a good idea to carry supporting documents such as:
- Return or onward flight bookings
- Hotel reservations
- Invitation letters (if visiting companies or friends)
How the 30 days are counted
The 30‑day stay is usually counted from the day after your arrival.
Multiple entries are possible
In principle you can use this policy for multiple trips, as long as each visit complies with the rules and your purpose of entry is legitimate.
What this is not for
You cannot use this 30‑day visa‑free entry for:
- Long-term work
- Full‑time study
- Long-term media/journalism assignments
  For those purposes, you still need to apply for the appropriate visa in advance.

3. Mutual visa‑waiver agreements (short stays)

China has signed mutual visa‑waiver agreements with a number of countries.
If your country is on this list, you may also be able to visit China without a visa for short stays (often 15–30 days), typically for:

Tourism
Business
Visiting friends or relatives
Short-term private visits

These agreements cover countries in:

Asia (for example Singapore, Malaysia, UAE and others)
Europe (for example some Eastern European and small European states)
The Americas, Oceania and Africa (selected island and coastal nations)

Each agreement is slightly different – length of stay, eligible passport types and allowed purposes may vary.
Always confirm details on the website of your local Chinese embassy or consulate.

4. Transit visa‑free: staying in China between flights

If China is not your final destination but just a stopover on the way to a third country/region, you may qualify for transit visa‑free policies.

4.1 24‑hour transit without visa

Most international travelers who transit through China for less than 24 hours and stay inside the airport can do so without a visa.

In some cases, if you want to leave the airport during your layover, you can apply for a temporary entry permit at the immigration desk.
Whether this is granted is at the discretion of the border officer.

4.2 72/144‑hour transit visa‑free (for eligible nationalities)

In many major cities and regions (such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, etc.), eligible travelers from a list of designated countries can enjoy 72 or 144 hours of visa‑free transit.

Typical requirements include:

You hold a passport from one of the eligible countries
You have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region within 72/144 hours
- Example (valid): London → Shanghai → Tokyo
- Example (not valid): London → Shanghai → London (back to the same country)
You enter and exit through specified airports or ports
You stay within the permitted region (for example, within Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei, or within Shanghai–Jiangsu–Zhejiang)

Important: This is a transit policy, not a general “visa‑free tourism” policy.
Your route must be country A → China → country B.

Because details can be technical and change over time, always verify:

With your airline
On the website of the National Immigration Administration of China
Or with your local Chinese embassy/consulate

5. Visa‑free entry for cruise tour groups

If you are visiting China as part of an organized cruise tour group, there is a special visa‑free option:

You must be part of a group of 2 or more travelers
The group must be organized and received by a Chinese travel agency
You enter China via a designated cruise port and leave by cruise as well
The stay is typically up to 15 days and limited to coastal provinces and certain major cities (including Beijing)

This policy is especially useful if China is one of several stops on an Asia cruise itinerary.

Again, details can change. Your cruise line and Chinese partner travel agency should provide up‑to‑date guidance.

6. What if I don’t qualify for any visa‑free option?

If you don’t fall under any of the visa‑free categories above, you’ll need to apply for a visa in advance before you travel to China.

6.1 Tourist visa (L visa)

For most people coming to China for tourism, visiting friends/relatives or other personal reasons, the standard visa type is the L visa.

Common steps:

Go to the website of the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) or your local Chinese embassy/consulate.
Complete the online visa application form (COVA) carefully.
Prepare all required supporting documents (passport, photos, travel itinerary, invitation letters if any, etc.).
Book an appointment (if required) and submit your application as instructed.

Requirements and processing times can differ by country, so always follow the instructions of the Chinese mission in your country.

7. Practical tips once you are in China

Even with a valid visa or legal visa‑free entry, things can still happen during your trip. Here are a few useful points:

Visa extensions
If you are already in China and, for legitimate reasons, need to stay longer, you may be able to apply for an extension at the local Exit‑Entry Administration of the Public Security Bureau (PSB).
For example, in Shanghai, applications are handled by the Shanghai Exit‑Entry Administration.
If you lose your passport
- First, contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in China to get a new passport or emergency travel document.
- Then, with the new document and relevant police reports, visit the local immigration authorities so they can verify your entry record and issue the necessary exit documents.
Official information and help
Policies can change. For the most accurate and up‑to‑date information, you can:
- Visit official government websites (National Immigration Administration, Chinese embassies/consulates)
- Call the national immigration service hotline (e.g. +86‑21‑12367) for policy inquiries

8. Summary

China’s entry policies are becoming more flexible, and many travelers now have visa‑free options – especially for short stays, transits and cruise visits.

However:

Don’t assume you are visa‑free just because your friend was
Always check your nationality, your exact route and your purpose
If in doubt, or if you plan a longer, multi‑city trip, the safest option is still to:
- Apply for a standard L tourist visa in advance
- Give yourself enough time before your planned departure date

A little preparation upfront will make your trip to China much smoother and more enjoyable.