Getting Your Visa (if needed)
Breaking News – Dec 17 2024
72 hour and 144 hour Transit Visas extended to 10 days!
UPDATE (December 17, 2024): The National Immigration Administration (NIA) of China has announced a major expansion and optimization of its visa-free transit policy, effective December 17, 2024. Under the upgraded policy, eligible foreign travelers transiting through China can now stay for up to 240 hours (10 days), a significant extension from the previous 72-hour and 144-hour visa-free transit policy. In addition, 21 new ports have been added, increasing the total number of visa-free entry/exit points to 60 across 24 provinces.
Breaking News – Nov 22 2025
China Extends 15 day Visa to 30 Day! 7 More Countries Added!
China on Friday announced to expand of its visa-free policy to citizens from 38 countries, which is expected to further facilitate cross-border travel and strengthen international connectivity.
Starting November 30, 2024, through December 31, 2025, holders of ordinary passports from countries of Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia and Japan will be eligible to enter China without a visa under a trial program.
Lin Jian, a spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, revealed the update during a daily press briefing. He also disclosed new changes: exchange visits will now be recognized as a valid reason for visa-free entry and the maximum visa-free stay will be extended from 15 days to 30 days.
Under the new measures, from November 30, 2024, citizens from the 38 eligible countries can enter China without a visa for purposes such as business, tourism, visiting family and friends, exchange programs, or transiting, provided their stay does not exceed 30 days.
Do I need a Visa to travel to China?
China has recently improved its access to travel to China for foreigners. To travel to China you may or may not need a Visa.
The factors that determine whether you need a visa to enter China are
- Country of citizenship of your passport
- Visa requirements for your country of citizenship
- Length of stay in China
- Whether you have a onward flight to a third country.
- Your port of entry into China
There are a couple of Visa possibilities.
- 24 hour transit visa (for those who need to leave the airport) (Available only at certain ports of entry)
- 10 day transit visa (formerly 144 transit visa) for those with an onward flight to a third country (Available only at certain ports of entry)
- 30 day visa free travel for citizens of certain countries. (see link below for the current list of countries) These rules updated from 15 to 30 days in Nov 2024.
- 30 day tourist visa (usually issued with multiple entries allowed)
- A regional 144 hour visa (such as a stay in Hainan)
- Visa on Arrival (For urgent needs only)
Where to apply for a visa online?
Log on to this site to start your visa
https://cova.mfa.gov.cn
Select your region then your local visa office. You will be brought to the main page of that visa office. From there, click on the appropriate link to start your online visa.
Apply at the Consulate office assigned to your state/province. This can be an expensive trip so using a visa agent may be worthwhile. Check with your travel agent for a visa agent. Some travel agents will process your visa application for you (perhaps for a fee).
Upon Entry to China
This is what an entry card looks like and the rules you agree to abide by. Note rule number 1 when considering accommodation!
IMPORTANT NOTE
Please abide by the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China and other laws and regulations, and read the following information carefully.
- For foreigners who reside or stay in domiciles other than hotels, they or the persons who accommodate them shall, within 24 hours after the foreigners’ arrival at the accommodation, go through the registration formalities with the public security organs in the places of residence.
- Foreigners holding Visas Z, X1, J1, Q1 or S1, shall apply for residence permits within 30 days after entry with the exit and entry administration authority of the public security organ in the proposed places of residence.
- Foreigners who work in China shall obtain work permits and work-type residence permits.
- Foreigners having reached the age of 16 who stay or reside in China shall carry with them passports or other international travel documents, or foreigners’ stay or residence permits, and accept the inspection of public security organs.
- Foreigners in China shall leave the country prior to the expiry of the prescribed duration of stay or residence. If they need to continue to stay or reside in China after the expiration, they shall apply for an extension of the duration of stay or residence.
- Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card can be used alone as identity document within Chinese mainland.
- Foreigners violating exit-entry administration laws and regulations may be detained, ordered to exit the country within a time limit, repatriated or denied entry into China etc.
For further questions and advices, please call the China Immigration Service Hotline 12367.
Visa Free Countries and Rules
Here Are the Relevant Rules – Visa Free Transit
What Are the Requirements for Foreigners to Apply for the `10 day (formerly 72/144-Hour) Visa-Free Transit in China?
https://en.nia.gov.cn/n162/n227/c116266/content.html
FAQs and Resources
24 hour visas are issued at the discretion of the immigration officer. The actual rules state that you “need” to leave the airport. The immigration officer will want to ensure that you can complete your activities and return to the airport on time. Arrival through immigration can take up to 2 hours, travel to the inner city an other hour or two, and two hours to get back to the airport and arrive at the airport three hours before your flight. – these are estimates on the low side – but
For the 144 hour visas there is a special desk at which you apply for the visa.
Best up-to-date information (i.e. updates) and Visa policy changes/notices are available at China Briefing.com – Visa Free Travel Policies Complete Guide
https://www.china-briefing.com/news/china-visa-free-travel-policies-complete-guide/
Announcement on Expansion of Allowed Purposes of Visa-Free Entry into Hainan Province for Citizens of Some Countries
https://en.nia.gov.cn/n162/n232/c119484/content.html
Visa-Free Transit Policies -(24 hour visa – when traveler needs to leave port)
https://en.nia.gov.cn/n162/n227/c117540/content.html
FAQ – Port Visas (Visa on Arrival for urgent needs), Tour Visas, Visa Extensions
https://en.nia.gov.cn/n162/n227/c119683/content.html
Counting your Days
Note: Exiting to Hong Kong, then re-entering China will be considered a new entry and restart your 30 days.
The rules for counting days for the 144 hour or 15 day visa are very specific. For the 15 day visa, . usually yourday of arrival does not count towards your fifteen days, but your departure (i.e flight) must be before the end of your 15 days.
For Visa Bulletins visit the National Immigration Administration
What if I have an unexpired Visa in my old passport?
If your passport expires before your visa, bring the old passport with the unexpired visa and the new passport together. Note that some countries require you to surrender your old passport. If that is the case, you will need to obtain a new visa for your new passport. It is suggested to make a copy of your old passport and visa before surrendering it.
What if I don’t have access to a consulate (It’s far away)
If you don’t live near a consulate and will need to fly to a city with a consulate then you should look into getting your visa through an agent. You usually will have to make two trips to the consulate. Once to drop off everything and another trip to pick up your passport and pay the fee. Many Chinese Travel Agencies offer a visa service.
What about Visa’s for Tour Groups.
The organizer of the tour will arrange for the visas provided you supply the required documentation.