China Mutual Visa Exemption: Countries and Duration of Stay

Notice on Latest Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China - Updated on July 15, 2024:

1. Kunming, Lijiang, Dali, Xishuangbanna and 5 regions in Yunnan Province are applicable to 144-hour visa-free transit policy. Mohan Railway Port at China-Laos border can be used to enter/leave Yunnan.

2. Breaking News! a. China will be 15-day visa-free for Australia, New Zealand and Poland from July 1st, 2024 to December 31st, 2025. b. 15 days visa free for citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg has been extended until December 31, 2025. Read more »

3. Hong Kong High-speed Rail West Kowloon Station has been added to Guangdong Province 144-hour transit visa-free.

4. China - Georgia Mutual Exemption of Visa, starting from May 28, 2024.

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.

8. Starting from 00:00 on November 1, 2023, individuals entering or exiting the country are exempt from filling out the "People's Republic of China Health Declaration Card for Entry/Exit."

7. Norway has become the 54th country whose passport holders can transit without visa up to 72/144 hours in China.

8. Starting from August 30, 2023, individuals traveling to China will no longer be required to undergo pre-entry COVID-19 nucleic acid or antigen testing.

9. U.S. citizens holding multi-year multiple-entry visas issued before March 28, 2020, whose visas temporarily lost entry functionality between March 28, 2020, and March 14, 2023, due to the pandemic, are eligible to apply for compensation. Those who choose to apply for compensation will receive a free 3-year multiple-entry visa. Those who choose to waive the compensation can apply for a new 10-year multiple-entry visa at the regular fee.

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!

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Visa Exemption saves much time, energy and money for international travel. Therefore, it’s a vital process to figure out if need a visa to China. (Do I Need A Visa for China?) Mutual Visa Exemption is one of the important Visa Free Policy of China, which allows citizens from both countries to travel without visa for a certain period, when meeting related requirements. Until now (March 2023), China has signed bilateral visa-free policy between 152 countries, including 18 countries for holders of ordinary passports, and concluded unilateral visa waiver with 3 countries in Asia, namely, Brunei, Japan and Singapore.

Which countries can travel to China without visa? Check the mutual visa exemption list of countries who don’t need a visa to visit China below (in time order) and see the accurate permitted duration of stay.

Country List of China Mutual Visa Exemption for Ordinary Passports Individual Holders

No.	Foreign Country	Continent	Permitted Duration of Stay	Date Come into Effect
1	San Marino	Europe	90 Days	July, 1985
2	Mauritius	Africa	60 Days	January, 2013
3	Seychelles	Africa	30 Days	June, 2013
4	Bahamas	North America	30 Days	February, 2014
5	Suriname	South America	30 Days	May, 2014
6	Fiji	Oceania	30 Days	March, 2015
7	Grenada	North America	30 Days	June, 2015
8	Ecuador	South America	30 Days	August, 2016
9	Tonga	Oceania	30 Days	August, 2016
10	Serbia	Europe	30 Days	January, 2017
11	Barbados	North America	30 Days	June, 2017
12	United Arab Emirates	Asia	30 Days	January, 2018
13	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Europe	90 Days	May, 2018
14	Belarus	Europe	30 Days	August, 2018
15	Qatar	Asia	30 Days	December, 2018
16	Armenia	Asia	30 Days	January, 2020
17	Maldives	Asia	30 Days	May, 2022
18	Dominica	South Africa	30 Days	September, 2022

Important Notes:

1. The above two-way visa-free agreement is listed for holders of ordinary passport only. You can read and download the updated full List of Agreements on Mutual Visa Exemption Between China and Foreign Countries

2. Mutual Visa Exemption do NOT mean visitors can stay/reside in China for an infinite period. Foreigners must stay within the permitted duration of stay. If you intend to stay beyond the limitation, you’re required to apply for stay permit in local official authority.

Travel China Visa Free with China Discovery

China Discovery is a professional and experienced travel companion who offers high-value and worry-free tours for you. To fulfill your dream tour to China, we not only design ideal itinerary covering sightseeing, dining, transfer and hotel, but also will provide you Invitation Letter and useful guide about 72-Hour Visa-free Transit, 144-Hour Visa-free Transit to help you obtain Chinese Visa, even customize a China Visa-free Tour in Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Hangzhou and more available destinations if you meet relevant visa requirements.

Popular China Visa-free Tours:

If you are interested in China visa-free tour, we could also customize a China Visa-free Tour in Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Chengdu, Hangzhou and more available destinations if you meet relevant visa requirements.

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