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Essential China Travel Policies
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Entry & Visa Policy

Expanded Visa-Free Policies entry to citizens

Passport Requirements

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure from China, with at least two blank pages for entry/exit stamps and visas.

Ensure it meets biometric standards, as e-visas and border checks increasingly require chip-enabled passports; renew early if nearing expiration to avoid last-minute issues.

Visa-Free Countries

China implements a 24-hour transit visa-free policy for people from all over the world at all open ports.

And offers a 240-hour transit visa-free policy to people from 55 countries, including the US, RU, UK, FR and etc.

As of November 10 2025, if you’re from one of 48 countries, you can step into the China for a full 30 days—no visa required.

Visa Applications

For most nationalities, apply for a tourist (L) visa online via the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) or embassy, with fees around $140-185 USD; and e-visas are available for certain nationalities starting 2026, simplifying the process.

  • Express Service: 4-7 business days
  • Standard Service: 30 days
  • Required documents: Invitation Letters, Flight Itineraries, and Hotel Bookings.

Border Crossings

Major ports include airport and port(like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen,etc…)offer streamlined entry with facial recognition and e-gates for visa holders.

The 55 countries transit travelers allows 240 hours can make cross-province visits in the permitted areas in the 24 provinces(65 ports) for no more than 240 hours, but you must have onward tickets to a third country.

New for 2026(KeeP updates...)

29 Countries Covered By Agreements on Mutual Visa Exemption​

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Fiji, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Qatar, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tonga, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan

Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus, Mauritius, Serbia, San Marino and Seychelles

Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Dominic, Ecuador, Grenada and Suriname

Australia, Bahrain, Brunei, Japan, Kuwait, New Zealand, Oman, Saudi Arabia and South Korea

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay

Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea and United Arab Emirates

Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and United Kingdom

Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico and United States

Click Here, and get it right now!

Frequently Used Info

Steps to Apply for Tourist (L) Visa

Preparation of apply for visa

Preparation

  • Check the Passport: Validity should be at least 6 months and there should be at least 2 blank visa pages.
  • Prepare the Required Photos: 51mm×51mm, and white background bareheaded frontal photo within 3 months, without glasses (except for special cases)
  • Prepare the Proof of Residence: Driver’s license, Water and Electricity bills, Bank statements, etc.
  • Download the “Visa Application Declaration” (embassy’s website)
Online application (new COVA system) [Key steps]

Online Application (New COVA System)

  • Fill: Fill in personal information, and application form truthfully
  • Upload: Passport Information Page, Blank Visa Pages, Compliant Visa Photos, Proof of Residence, Latest Chinese Visa or Residence Permit(if you have), Scan and Signing the “Visa Application Declaration” 
  • Submit and wait for initial review (1-2 working days)
Offline submission of materials

On-site Submission

Status Changes to “Pending”

  • Appointment: Book an interview time.
  • Submit: Original passport (≥ 6 months, ≥ 2 blank pages), Information page (with the application barcode), Old passport (if you have), Other materials required.
  • Biometric Information Collection: Provide fingerprints of all ten fingers (Under 14, Over 70, and those with special circumstances are exempt)
  • Pay the visa fee (Master, Visa, Cash, or Check)
  • Get the pick-up slip and wait for notification (5-6 working days)
Collecting the visa

Collecting The Visa

Status Changes to “Ready for Collection”

  • Collection: Pick up your slip and identification.
  • Verification: Check your name, passport number, validity period, and length of stay.
  • If there are any errors, raise them on the spot.

Pre-departure Checklist

Essential Documents

  • Passport & China L Visa: Ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity and your visa covers your intended stay (minimum 10 days recommended).
  • Flight Itinerary: Printed hard copies + digital backup on your phone (Round-trip details).
  • Hotel Confirmations: Printed or saved for all cities on your route.
  • Travel Insurance: Policy documents covering medical emergencies and trip cancellation (Recommended coverage: $75,000 USD / ¥500k RMB+).
  • Backups: Physical photocopies of your passport and visa (stored separately from the originals) + digital scans in the cloud.
  • Emergency Contacts: List of names and numbers in both English and Chinese.

Health & Medical

  • Personal Medications: Bring essential meds in original bottles with English labels. Carry a doctor’s note for prescription drugs.
  • Vaccinations: No mandatory COVID-19 requirements, but check CDC guidelines for standard travel vaccines (e.g., Hepatitis A/B).
  • Medical Coverage: Confirm your insurance covers medical expenses specifically within Mainland China.
  • Drug Warning (CRITICAL): Do not carry any illegal drugs or controlled substances (including marijuana/cannabis, cocaine, heroin, meth, etc.). Drug possession is strictly prohibited under Chinese law and carries extremely severe penalties, including long-term imprisonment or the death penalty.

Money & Payments

  • Cash (RMB): Carry a small amount of Chinese Yuan for immediate use (exchange at your local bank or the airport).
  • Credit Cards: Bring at least two major cards (Visa/Mastercard). Note: Inform your bank of your travel dates to avoid fraud blocks.
  • Mobile Payments (Crucial): Download Alipay or WeChat Pay and link your international credit card before arrival.
  • Proof of Funds: Keep a digital bank statement handy in case of random customs inquiries

Tech & Connectivity

  • Roaming/SIM: Enable an international roaming plan or plan to buy a local Chinese SIM card upon arrival.
  • VPN: Download and test a reliable VPN before leaving your country if you need to access Google, Gmail, or Social Media.
  • Translation Apps: Install Translate Apps (download the Chinese Offline file).
  • Emergency Numbers: * Police: 110, Ambulance: 120, Fire: 119
  • Embassy/Consulate: Keep their number saved.

Packing & Gear

  • Weather-Appropriate Clothing: Check the 10-day forecast for your specific destinations (China’s climate varies wildly).
  • Power Adapters: China uses 220V. You may need a Type A (flat two-prong) or Type I (three-prong angled) adapter.
  • Power Bank: Must be under 100Wh capacity to be allowed on Chinese flights.
  • Toiletries: Most Chinese hotels provide basics, but bring your preferred brands for skincare and deodorant.

Local Culture & Logistics

  • Navigation: Google Maps is unreliable in China. Download Amap (Gaode) or Baidu Maps.
  • Basic Phrases: Learn simple “Hello” (Ni Hao) and “Thank You” (Xie Xie).
  • Etiquette: Tipping is generally not practiced in China. High-end restaurants may add a 10% service fee directly to the bill.
  • Public Transit: Most subways and buses can be paid for via the “Transport” mini-app inside Alipay.

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