[UPDATED] China's Latest Tourist Visa Policies: A Guide for International Travelers and visitors to China
Last updated: 17 December, 2024
China has become an increasingly popular destination for tourists around the world. Recently, to accommodate this growing interest, China has introduced several flexible visa policies, making it easier for travelers to visit the country. In this blog, we'll explore China's updated visa policies, including the 144-hour visa-free transit (Transit without a visa) and the new 15-day visa-free policy for citizens of specific countries.
On November 22 and December 17, 2024 -the Chinese Foreign Ministry released another update!
From Nov 30, 2024, to Dec 31, 2025, China extends 30-day visa-free entry for nationals of more than 38 countries included 9 new additions - Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan. Ordinary passport holders from these selected countries will be able to enter China without a visa — for business, tourism, family visits, exchange visits, or transit — provided their stay does not exceed 30 days.
This announcement marks the 1st anniversary of visa-free entry for France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia introduced on Dec 1, 2023.
1. The Latest Update: The Expanded 30-Day Visa-Free Policy for Selected Countries
Visa-Free Travel Expands!
On November 22, 2024, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced a groundbreaking update: a 30-day visa-free entry for nationals of 38+ countries—including nine newly added nations. Starting November 30, 2024, through December 31, 2025, ordinary passport holders from the following countries can visit China without a visa for up to 30 days:
New Additions: Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan.
This announcement marks the 1st anniversary of visa-free entry for France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia introduced on Dec 1, 2023.
China has updated from a 15-day visa-free now to a 30-day visa-free entry for citizens of more than 38 countries. This is an exciting development for many European, Oceanian, and other countries' travelers, allowing them to explore China more easily without the hassle of obtaining a visa beforehand.
Eligible Countries: As of 30 November 2024, citizens from the following countries can enjoy the 15-day visa-free stay:
Europe: Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Hungary, Austria, Luxembourg, Belgium, Switzerland, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Denmark, Slovenia, Slovakia, Monaco, Andorra, Lichtenstein, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia
Nordic/Scandinavia: Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Norway
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
Asia: Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan
Important Points to Remember:
This policy is limited to tourism and short-term visits, do not apply for working or studying purposes.
Travelers must have a return or onward ticket.
A confirmed accommodation booking or travel itinerary might be required at entry.
Sources:
South China Morning Post - 2 Nov 2024
China Embassy in Iceland - 1 Nov 2024
China Embassy in Norway - 1 Nov 2024
Euro News - 2 Oct 2024
Schengen News - 10 Sep 2024
China Briefing China Visa Poligy Update - 10 Sep 2024
State Concil gov.cn - 7 May 2024
Note: Various policies also apply to Cruise Ports and Hainan, are not mentioned in this article.
2. The 240-Hour 10 day Visa-Free Transit Policy
Overview: The former 144-hour visa-free transit policy is now extended to 240-hour for the selected 54 countries of citizens. It is an excellent option for short-term visitors passing through China. This policy allows travelers from eligible countries to stay in certain cities for up to 240 hours (10 days) without needing a tourist visa.
Eligibility: This policy applies to travelers from 54 countries, including citizens of the U.S., Canada, the U.K., most European Union countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and others.
Cities, Regions and ports offering 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit (Transit without a visa - TWOV) has also increased from 39 to 60 ports of entries and from 19 provinces to 24: This policy applies to multiple regions in China, including:
Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei Province
Shanghai, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province
Guangdong Province (including Guangzhou, Shenzhen)
Chongqing, Sichuan Province
Liaoning Province (Shenyang and Dalian)
How It Works: To qualify, travelers must:
Be in transit to a third country (i.e., you cannot use the policy if your travel begins and ends in the same country). e.g. it has to be A-B-C while B is any of those cities listed above.
Present a confirmed onward ticket to a third country within 240 hours.
Enter and exit through specified ports (airports or sea ports) where the policy is in place.
You must also only stay in the same area of the port of entry.
Eligible Countries:
Europe:
24 Schengen Agreement Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
16 Other European Countries: Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Monaco, Norway
America:
United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
Asia:
Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar
On arrival, follow the instructions in the ports to apply for the 240-hour transfer without a visa. You will need:
A valid passport issued by any of the 54 countries mentioned above
Visa for a third country or region
A fully completed Arrival/Departure Card (including name, nationality, passport no., issuance place, flight no., purpose of visit, date of birth, gender)
An onward ticket to the third country with a confirmed seat is needed
Note: you are not allow to leave the region where you enter from the ports.
3. Why do These Changes Matter for Travelers and Expats who live in China?
Convenience and Flexibility:
These visa-free options provide travelers and expats’ families more flexibility when planning trips to visit China. Whether you're on a layover or exploring the country's famous landmarks, these policies save time and effort and an extension is possible.
China's efforts to streamline its visa process align with its growing focus on boosting inbound tourism and economic ties with Europe, Oceania, and other regions. This could lead to more seamless travel experiences and stronger cultural exchange between China and the rest of the world.
“We welcome more foreign friends to visit China, enjoy the beautiful landscape and experience the charm of the country," said Chinese foreign ministry spokeperson.
4. Practical Tips for Travelers
Documentation: Ensure you carry all necessary documents, including a passport valid for at least six months, onward or return flight tickets, and accommodation details.
Plan Your Stay: Although you can enter visa-free for a certain number of days, make sure your trip aligns with these time limits and regulations to avoid penalties or overstaying. Don’t be this bad example.
Stay Updated: Visa policies may change frequently, so checking the latest updates from official Chinese embassies or government websites before travelling is essential.
WHY VISIT CHINA?
From UNESCO World Heritage Sites to modern architectural marvels, China is a land of contrasts and boundless exploration. This new visa-free policy eliminates a significant hurdle, giving you the perfect opportunity to pack your bags and immerse yourself in the adventure. It is also low-mid expenses compared to many developed countries, including hotels; $ 200 a night gets you a luxury 5-star mainstream hotel room.
Plan your trip to China and be part of this exciting journey into the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic destinations. Don’t miss the chance to explore visa-free – your gateway to China awaits! As an experienced travel planner, I am happy to assist you when you are planning your visits to Shanghai and the nearby cities. If you spot any mistake, please feel free to leave me a comment below or drop me an email: genie@genieyip.com
I hope this blog helps you and your family decide when and how long to visit China.
Thank you for reading. Feel free to share this article to let more people know about the latest updates as of now (Nov 24, 2024). I will do my best to keep things updated on this blog.
Disclaimer: Visa rules can change and may have specific requirements. This blog is accurate as of the publication date. The website is not liable for changes in visa regulations or entry denials. Always consult official government sources or Chinese embassies for the most current visa information before travelling to determine your eligibility to enter and travel within China.