(Sanya) Hainan 30-Day Free Visa Policy for 59 Countries - Resumed from March 15, 2023
Notice on Latest Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China - Updated on April 23, 2025:
1. China has launched a 30 Days Visa-free Policy for 36 eligible countries, including several European nations — Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland. In Oceania, Australia and New Zealand are listed, while in Asia, South Korea and Japan are included. This policy is valid till December 31, 2025. Read more »
2. 240-Hour Visa Free Transit (10 days) has been lanched. 54 eligible countries include the US, UK, Canada, Brazil, etc. Eligible travelers can now travel across provinces, for example traveling from Beijing to Xian, then to Shanghai. Mohan Railway Port at China-Laos border can be used to enter/leave Yunnan. Hong Kong High-speed Rail West Kowloon Station has been added to Guangdong Province 240-hour transit visa-free. Read more »
3. As of now, China has established full visa exemption agreements with 28 countries, including Asian countries: Thailand, Singapore, Maldives, Kazakhstan, the UAE, Qatar, Armenia, Georgia, Brunei, Malaysia; European countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, San Marino; African countries: Mauritius, Seychelles; Oceania countries: Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands; North American countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, Bahamas; South American country: Suriname.
4. Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province is 6 days visa-free for tour groups (at least two persons) from ASEAN countries.
5. Booking of flights and hotels, China itineraries and invitation letters are not required for application of Chinese Tourist Visa for U.S.nationals.
6. Appointment is not required for visa application in many embassies and consulates.
China Discovery will keep focusing on the updates of the latest Chinese visa and entry policy! You can also call +86 010 12367 (Official telephone number of China National Immigration Administration) to check further information. Welcome to join in our Facebook Groups to catch up with the latest news!
Exceptional journeys, unforgettable memories! See what our recent happy travelers have shared about their private China tours with us.
Do I need a visa for Hainan China?
Hainan Island launched a new visa-free entry policy for citizens of certain 59 countries since May 1, 2018. Travelers who meet related requirements can enjoy 30 days visa-free access to Sanya, Haikou and cities in the whole Hainan Province. In July, 2019, the free entry has been further optimized, expanding the purpose of visiting from tour to business, family visit, sport, exhibition, etc., supporting individual declaration. Also, Hannan opens a 15 day visa free for cruise tour groups. Others (not qualified for any China Visa Free Policies), hence, need to apply and hold a valid Chinese Visa to go to Hainan.
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Hainan has implemented a 15-Day Visa-Free Entry for Cruise Tour Groups and a 30-Day Visa-Free Policy for nationals from 59 countries, since official notification by the press conference on May 1st 2018, which is wildly considered as the most open and convenient entry policy in China. The second 30-day visa waiver program is an optimization of the previous policy which was executed in August 2010. It adds the applicable countries from 26 to a total 59 countries, extends the duration of stay from 15 to 30 days, valid objects from tour groups to individuals. Visitors can choose from independent entry and travel, or tour organized by Hainan local agencies.
Under the new policy, foreigners holding ordinary passports of the listed 59 countries, are allowed to enter Hainan from any open ports and stay within Hainan for a maximum of 30 days. No visa application is required, but a Temporary Entry Permit will be granted for the short visit upon arrival.
Do US citizens need a visa for Sanya China? The U.S.A is on the eligible Hainan visa-free countries list, so are UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, etc. Based on the related regulations, only aliens from the the following mentioned 59 countries can apply for the 30-day visa free entry to Hainan. But be aware, nationality is one of the essential requirements for Hainan free visa, there are other conditions to follow at the same time.
59 Hainan Visa Free Countries:
◆ European Countries (40)
- 25 Countries under Schengen Agreement:
Austria, France, Germany, Norway, Italy, Finland, Holland, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia.
- 15 Other European Countries:
Russia, the UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, Belarus.
◆ American Countries (6)
The United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.
◆ Asian Countries (11)
South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar.
◆ Oceania Countries (2)
Australia, New Zealand.
Only the applicants meet all required conditions, they could apply for the 30-day visa-free stay in Hainan Island. The basic requirements are as follows:
1. Aliens must hold valid ordinary passports of one of the 59 Countries;
2. Visitors can make pre-arrival registration through Hainan local travel agencies or register at port after arrival;
3. Visitors must hold travel-related documents, including round-trip flight tickets, hotel bookings and travel itinerary in Hainan;
4. Visitors must take a flight to Hainan directly from other countries or regions (can transit via Hong Kong and Macau);
5. Visitors must enter Hainan from ports in Sanya, Haikou or other ports opened in Hainan.
After entry, foreigners must move around within the administrative region of Hainan Province within 30 days permitted.
Passport is Required for a Hainan Free Visa Application
Foreign tourists shall follow official instructions to arrange your visa-free tour in Hainan, so that you can save your time and avoid any inconvenience that happened unexpectedly. If you don't mind long queue and complecated applying process, you can register for Hainan 30-days visa free travel after arriving at the ports.
Register with a local travel agency
Regitstering in advance with a Hainan local travel agency makes your trip safer. It is also time-efficient.
Step 1: Find a local travel agency in Hainan.
Step 2: Provide your identity information and travel itinerary at least 48 hours before arrival to local travel agency in Hainan.
Step 3: The Hainan-based travel agency will make prior registration of free visa to the Public Security Bureau and Immigration Inspection Authority (at least 24 hours ahead of arrival).
Step 4: When taking a flight, fill in the Arrival Card provided by the air company in advance. It saves time for queuing up at the airport.
Step 5: After landing, go to the immigration counter through the specialized visa-free channel. The customs police will take your Arrival Card, collect your fingerprints and input personal information, etc.
Step 6: Get a Temporary Entry Permit for the short-term travel in Hainan after verification and approval.
Step 7: Go through custom clearance and claim your luggage, then leave the airport to start your Hainan tour.
Foreigner Was Submitting Personal Infos
First Visa-free Travelers at Haikou Airport
Notes: 1.) After arrival, travelers need to register for temporary accommodation within 24 hours after check-in. Otherwise, there will be a penalty. 2.) An individual or large number of tourists are all required to have a tour arranged by a Hainan-based travel agency. If you want to stay longer than the permitted period, go to other cities in mainland China or exit in advance, the travel agency in Hainan will provide support for visa application and exit formalities.
Except for the 30-day free visa, Haihai also offers Visa on Arrival (Port Visa) for foreigners from countries (or regions) with established diplomatic relationships or official trade with China, if they visit Hainan Island for tour, family visit, trade, investment, economic and technological exchange for less than 15 days. Visitors may apply for Hainan Landing Visa for temporary visit at ports in Haikou and Sanya with required documents, including passport, completed visa application form, round-trip ticket, visa fees, etc.
However, if you want to overstay in Hainan, or move to other cities in mainland China for an appropriate reason, you shall apply for a new Chinese Visa or additional endorsement.
Hainan Visa on Arrival Application Requirements Includes:
1.) Foreigners must hold ordinary private passport of countries establishing diplomatic or trade relationships with China.
2.) The duration of the planned stay is within 30 days. Extension or alternation can be applied as needed.
3.) There is a host unit or individual in Hainan, China, financial proof to support normal life and travel expenses and general travel itinerary.
Sanya Fenghuang Airport is Valid for Hainan Visa on Arrival
1. Travelers coming from the 59 eligible countries can also apply for the 30-day free visa, if they travel from or transit via Hong Kong (or other third country/region) to Hainan by a direct flight.
2. Currently, Hainan has more than 70 international air routes, covering Australia, UK, Japan, South Korea, Russia, ASEAN Countries, and so on. Foreigners in those countries can take advantage of the free visa policy and fly to Hainan directly.
3. Visa Application in Hainan: If you accommodate in Haikou, Sanya, Yangpu, Wenchang, Qionghai, Chengmai, you may apply at the local Exit & Entry Administration Office. Others shall go to the Hainan Provincial Public Security Department for visa application.
Hainan is the southernmost province in China, famous as treasure land with rich flora and fauna, and tropic resort with sunshine, beach, islands, etc. Sightseeing trip to the romantic nature is the most popular way for a Hainan vacation. Taking the roundabout bullet train between Haikou and Sanya is the newest fashion getting more and more favors.
China Discovery is a professional and experienced travel companion who offers high-value and worry-free tours for you. Except 30-day free visa in Hainan, China has offered 240-Hour Visa-free Transit in Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xiamen, Kunming, etc. Just simple and fast processes, you may take advantage of the free visa to experience different kinds of landscape, culture and history of China.
Beautiful Beach in Sanya Hainan
Please feel free to contact us to join in our top recommended Hainan (Sanya) tours, or let us customize a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hainan and China for you.
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Questions & Discussions
Following are latest questions and answers from our webusers and customers. You can learn many useful information from the discussion and cases. You can also join in the discussions or ask your own question. Our experts will help you ASAP.
China is now 30 days visa-free for Singapore passport holders. So there is no need of visa application and you don't have to join in any tour group. You can travel on your own.
1. Fly from London to Hong Kong, then to Sanya. Staying in Sanya for 9 days visa free; then
2. Fly from Sanya to Hong Kong, on the same day take a taxi to enter mainland via Shenzhen and stay in the mainland for another 15 days visa free? Given the transit through Hong Kong, wonder if the 15 days of visa exemption starts from the day entering Shenzhen from Hong Kong (i.e. ignoring the 9 days in Sanya).
Yes your two itineraries are eligible for Hainan Visa free and 15 Days China Visa Free for Italian passport holders. But always keep in mind that Visa-free is not 100% secured. The border officers will decide according to your records and visiting purpose.
After landing, go to the immigration counter through the specialized visa-free channel. The customs officer will take your Arrival Card, collect your fingerprints and input personal information, etc.
Of course you can travel to Sanya, Hainan with a regular China Tourist Visa, because Hainan is one part of China territory. And Hainan now has free entry for citizens of 59 countries, for up to 30 days.
If you visit Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Tibet or special areas in China, extra regulations and permits are needed.
Enjoy your Sanya tour and have a nice day!
Best Regards,
New Zealand passport holders are eligible for 30-day visa-free entry to Hainan. So you can apply the free tour to Hainan, just make everything follow officially regulations.
The very important point is your current tour in Hainan must be organized by a Hainan-based travel agency (including we China Discivery). So, the first step is to contact a local travel agency, provide your personal information, travel itinerary to the agency. The agency will declare and report your visit to Hainan Public Security Bureau and border checking authority in advance before your arrival. If successfully examined and verified, you can get entry permit quickly after a few processes at airport or cruise terminal.
Here is our popular Hainan Sanya tours you may get inspired https://www.chinadiscovery.com/sanya-tours.html.
Wish you enjoy trip to Hainan, and have a good day! ^o^
Best Regards,
