Do I Need a Visa for China? China Visa-Free Policy 2025

1.China’s 30-Day Visa-Free Policy (Updated August 2025)

Planning your trip to China just got easier. As of August 2025, China has expanded its visa-free policy, allowing travelers from over 40 countries to enter China without a visa for up to 30 days. The policy is divided into two main types: Unilateral Visa-Free Entry and Mutual Visa Exemption Agreements. Here's everything you need to know.

1）Unilateral Visa-Free Entry (43 Countries, Up to 30 Days)

Citizens from eligible countries can enjoy 30-day visa-free access to China for purposes like tourism, business, family visits, cultural exchanges, or transit (not for work or study). No visa application is needed — just bring a valid passport and enter China via air, land, or sea.

 Explore China with ease under the new 30-day visa-free policy.

2）Mutual Visa Exemption (29 Countries, 30 Days or More)

Under mutual visa exemption agreements, travelers from these countries can visit China without a visa, and Chinese citizens can also enjoy visa-free travel to these partner nations. Stay duration varies — for example, Bosnia allows up to 90 days within 180 days. Some agreements apply only to tourism purposes (e.g., Maldives).

Enjoy two-way visa-free travel and explore China and beyond with confidence.

3）Regional Visa-Free Access in China

In addition to national-level visa-free entry, China also offers regional visa exemptions:

Hainan 59-Country Visa-Free Entry (30 Days)：

Travelers from 59 countries — including the United States, Canada, Russia, and the UK — can enter Hainan without a visa for up to 30 days.

• Important:Entry must be via ports in Hainan, and visitors must stay within the island province.
• Best for: Beach holidays, tropical resort stays, and duty-free shopping.

Shanghai Lingang Business Cooperation Zone (Trial in 2025)

Starting late 2025, foreign business travelers with official invitations can enter visa-free for 30 days in a designated area of Pudong, Shanghai, as part of a pilot policy.

Want to explore China but unsure about the visa process?

Our team at TravelTidesChina can help you design a seamless, visa-free China itinerary tailored to your nationality and interests. Customize Your Trip Now.

2.China’s 10-Day Visa-Free Transit Policy (Updated August 2025)

In addition to this policy, China now provides a 10-day visa-free transit option, allowing travelers from a wider range of countries to explore key destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Xi’an — even if they’re not among the 43 countries with full visa-free access.

To Qualify for the 10-Day Visa-Free Transit Policy:

• You must hold a passport from one of 55 designated countries；
• Your travel route must include transiting through China to a third country or region (e.g., USA → China → Thailand)；
• You must stay within the permitted visa-free cities/regions, which cover most major destinations including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Chengdu, and more.

1）Where You Can Go Under China’s 10-Day Visa-Free Transit Policy

With the 10-day visa-free transit policy, most major cities and regions across mainland China are now accessible to travelers without a visa — as long as they are transiting to a third country or region. This visa-free policy makes planning a short but rewarding China tour without a visa much easier.

(Xinjiang, Tibet, Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, and Jilin are not covered by the 10-day visa-free transit policy.)

2）List of 55 Countries Eligible for China’s 10-Day Visa-Free Transit

• North/South America (6 Countries): Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, the Republic of Chile, the United States
• Europe (40 Countries): Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom
• Oceania (2 Countries): Australia, New Zealand
• Asia & Middle East (7 Countries): Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Qatar, UAE, Brunei, Indonesia 

✅Check if your country is included before booking your visa-free China tour.

3）Transit to a Third Country or Region – A Key Requirement

To use the China 10-day transit without visa option, your travel must meet one core rule: you must fly onward to a third country or region (such as Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan also counts).

✔ Valid Sample Itineraries:

• USA → Beijing → Xi’an → Shanghai → Hong Kong → USA
• Thailand → Beijing → Zhangjiajie → Chengdu → Shanghai → Japan

✘ Invalid Itinerary Example:

• USA → Beijing → Shanghai → Xi’an → USA (Same country for entry & exit)

Pro Tip: Combine China with Japan, Thailand, Singapore, or Vietnam, which offer visa-free entry or eVisas, to make the most of your multi-country Asia tour.

4）How to Enter China Visa-Free in 5 Simple Steps

Step 1: Arrive at a participating port of entry (such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, etc.)

Step 2: Proceed to the 240-hour visa-free transit counter.

Step 3: Submit required documents:

• Valid passport
• Confirmed outbound ticket to third country
• Hotel booking
• Arrival/departure card
• Visa for third country (if required)

Step 4: Clear immigration and collect your luggage.

Step 5: Exit the airport and enjoy your 10-day visa-free adventure in China!