China Visa-Free: Which Countries Can Travel to China Without Visa 2025?

Currently, 38 more countries have 30-day visa-free travel to China. Visa-free transit time has been extended to 240 hours for more than 54 countries at many major points of entry. Besides, there are other different regional visa-free policies, such as Hainan Island, Guilin, Xishuangbanna, etc.

Read more to get up to date with the latest China visa-free news, and find out if you can travel to China visa-free in 2025.

Brief Latest Policy about China Visa-free Information 2025

China’s visa laws have always been strict, but in recent years, the expanding visa-free programs have been widened to make it easier to travel. Permanent and temporary visa exemptions have been opened for stays of 30-90 days, depending on the country of origin. Many major points of entry also offer some travelers visa-free transit for stays of up to 240 hours. That means you may be able to travel in China for up to 10 days if you are proceeding to another destination.

Revised visa policies have simplified entry requirements and opened up some areas for ease of travel. What is possible depends on where you are from and where you are traveling.

30-day visa-free entry: Citizens from 59 countries can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for trips related to tourism, visiting family, or business.
240-hour (10 days) Visa-Free Transit: Tourists from 54 countries can travel in China visa-free for up to 10 days when transiting through China to another country.
Hainan island visa exemption: Travelers from 59 countries can travel to Hainan Island visa-free for up to 30 days.
Cruise ship tour group: Tour groups on cruise ships arriving at ports in 13 cities can travel in China visa-free for up to 15 days.
ASEAN tour groups traveling to Guilin or Xishuangbanna: Travelers from ASEAN member states can visit Guilin or Xishuangbanna visa-free for 6 days.
APEC business travel card holders: As of May 2023, foreigners with a valid APEC Business Travel Card are allowed to enter China without needing a visa.
Visa-free entry to the Pearl River Delta (Guangdong province): Foreign visitors from countries that have diplomatic ties with China do not need a visa if they are already in Hong Kong or Macau and plan to visit the Pearl River Delta in Guangdong province for up to 6 days.
Travel permit to Hong Kong and Macau permanent residents: From July 2024, permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau can travel to mainland China without a visa for business, tourism, or visiting family and friends, with a maximum stay of 90 days.

Plenty of countries no more need Chinese visas for traveling.

38 More Countries Now Have 30-day Visa-Free Travel to China

Travelers from an additional 38 countries can now enjoy visa-free travel to China for stays of up to 30 days.

List of Countries Added:

These countries join the 21 countries on the permanent visa exemption scheme. The program is scheduled to last until December 31, 2025, and may be renewed or extended.

Countries with Permanent 30-day Visa Exemptions:
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Brunei, Dominica, Fiji, Georgia, Grenada, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Mongolia, Qatar, Serbia, Solomon Islands, Seychelles, Singapore, Suriname, Thailand, Tonga, United Arab Emirates.

Entry Requirements:
- To take advantage of the 30-day visa-free entry, visitors need a valid passport with at least six months remaining validity.
- After arriving, tourists must register with the police. Hotels will handle the registration on your behalf, but if you’re staying in a private residence, then you must register at the local police station.
- If you are entering China from another country, then you will need to provide documents proving the purpose of your trip, such as a tour itinerary.

Permitted Activities and Limitations:
- You can use the 30-day visa-free entry to enter China for tourism, visiting relatives and friends, or for business meetings.
- The 30-day stay period ends at midnight on the 30th day after the entry date. If you exit and reenter China, the 30-day stay period resets, but it is not advised to accumulate more than 90 days of travel in China per year.

10 Days China Tour to Beijing, Xian, Guilin, Shanghai

Beijing - Xi'an - Guilin - Yangshuo - Shanghai

54 Countries Enable 240-hour (10-day) China Visa Free Transit Instead of 72/144 Hours

Visa-free transit for travelers passing through China between other destinations has been extended from 72/144 hours to 240 hours, or 10 days. This program is available to citizens of 54 countries entering through 47 major international airports, 12 seaports, and the railway crossing from Laos.

The new policy also allows for cross-provincial travel. Travelers using the 240-hour visa-free transit can travel between 24 major cities and provinces, including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangdong, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing, and most coastal provinces.

The list of 54 eligible countries:

Requirements:
- A passport valid for at least three months beyond arrival and visas for destination countries, if needed.
- Travelers must have confirmed tickets departing within 240 hours to a third country (not returning to the departure country).

8 Days Classic Golden Triangle China Tour to Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai

Beijing - Xi'an - Shanghai

Special Regional China Visa-Free Policies for Areas

Special visa-free regulations exist within certain regions in China. These provide a good way to add visiting sites in China as part of a larger tour, or if you plan to focus on only visiting a few areas.

Hainan Island
Travelers from 59 countries are eligible for visa-free travel to Hainan for stays of up to 30 days. This applies to visits related to tourism, family visits, business meetings, and medical treatment.

Cruise Ships
Tour groups arriving on a cruise organized through Chinese travel agencies can enjoy a 15-day visa-free stay. This applies to cruise ships arriving at ports in 13 cities (Beihai, Dalian, Guangzhou, Haikou, Lianyungang, Qingdao, Sanya, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Wenzhou, Xiamen, and Zhoushan). After arriving, tourists can travel within 11 coastal provinces and Beijing.

ASEAN Tour Groups Traveling to Guilin or Xishuangbanna
Tour groups from ASEAN member states may stay visa-free for up to six days on tours to Guilin, Guangxi, or Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. To be eligible, tourists must be traveling on an organized tour and enter and exit through Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport, Mohan Railway Port, or Mohan Highway Port. Travel to other parts of China is not allowed.

The stunning landscape of Longji Rice Terrace in Guilin.

Requirements & Process for Visa-Free Travel to China

Eligible foreign travelers can use the visa-free entry policy multiple times to visit China. Currently, there are no limits on how often they can enter or the total number of days they can stay. An extension of stay in China beyond 15 days is available. Visa-free travel is simple, but there are still some requirements that must be met.

- Your passport should be valid for 6 months from your arrival date.
- Confirmed tickets for your onward journey. Your departure tickets from China must fall within the validity period of your visa-free entry.
- You may be asked to provide proof of itinerary, hotel bookings, or other details of your stay.

Arrival Process
- Have all your documents ready, including your passport, departure flight tickets, and destination country visas.
- Complete the landing card before entering immigration.
- Present all your documents and requested information at the immigration desk.
- Pass through border inspection and begin your tour.

There are many foreign travelers in Beijing.

A Visa-Free Stay in China Doesn't Mean You Can Travel All Places

Different restrictions apply to travel areas depending on the type of visa-free entry you enter with. The 30-day visa-free entry allows for travel all over China except for several regions. International travelers to Tibet are required to obtain a Tibet Travel Pass by booking an organized tour through a registered Tibet travel agency. The 30-day visa-free entry also does not grant access to Hong Kong and Macau, which have their own visa policies.

Under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, travel is restricted to 24 provinces and cities. Travelers arriving as part of cruise ship tour groups are permitted to travel to 12 cities and provinces.

15 Days Best of China Tour with Chengdu and Tibet Discovery

Beijing - Xi'an - Chengdu - Lhasa - Shanghai

Best Way to Plan a Trip to China Visa-free with 240-hour Transit

240 hours is 10 full days, a good length for a tour of major attractions in China. If you are visiting China for the first time, choose two or three must-see destinations to experience the cultural and historical highlights of the country.

Beijing is the capital and home of many of China’s most iconic attractions. Trek along the Great Wall, or explore the Forbidden City, and experience traditional city life in the old hutong neighborhoods.

Xi’an is one of China’s Four Great Ancient Capitals and home to the famous Terracotta Warriors. Explore the markets of the Muslim quarter and try some of the best street food in the country.

Shanghai is a sprawling, ultra-modern metropolis. Along the Bund waterfront, you can see a mix of colonial-era buildings and the modern Pudong Skyline. Enjoy an evening cruise of the Huangpu River.

Chengdu is the best place in the country to see the famous pandas at the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The laid-back city is home to world-famous Sichuan cuisine like hotpot and map tofu.

China’s modern transportation infrastructure makes it fast and convenient to travel between cities. Frequent domestic flights and the high-speed rail network will let you jet between cities and make the most of your 240-hour visa-free stay.

13 Days China Highlights Tour with Yangtze River Cruise

Beijing - Xi'an - Guilin - Yangtze Cruise Cruise - Shanghai

Conclusion

Visa-free travel is a great opportunity to enjoy even more convenient China tours to one of the most exotic travel destinations in the world. With 30-day, visa-free entry available to a growing number of countries and extended visa-free transit, it’s easier than ever before to explore China’s 5,000 years of history. Add a China leg to your travel plans with a tour of major cities after a cruise, or stop at the beaches of Hainan Island for a chance to relax before heading back home.

Our expert travel services can help you plan the perfect itinerary to fit into any visa-free stay. Whether it’s 10 days of exploring the highlights or a deeper tour of historic and natural wonders around China, we’ll work with you to plan a fully personalized experience for a tour of China you’ll never forget.