Please note that the information provided here is for reference purposes only. Ensure you verify any related information directly from the official resource to avoid any misinformation or understandings: https://www.mct.gov.cn/

Visa-Free Transit Policies for Foreign Nationals

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Passport requirement

Visitors must present their original passport with at least six months’ remaining validity and at least two blank pages for the visa.

How to get a Chinese visa

  • Do you need a visa for China?

The first thing to do is to check whether you need a visa to visit China. You will generally need to apply for a Chinese visa unless you meet the criteria of one of China’s visa-free policies.

For example, if you are travelling through China, you may be able to take advantage of the 72- or 144-hour visa-free transit policy.

  • Find out which visa you need

China offers a number of different visas, and you’ll need to choose the one that applies to your situation. If you’re planning to go on holiday to China, apply for a Tourist Visa (L Visa).

  • Prepare the required documents

The following documents are usually required as part of the visa application.

Basic documents:

  1. A valid passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you enter China.
  2. A completed visa application form and a recent passport-sized photograph.
  3. Proof of legal residence (for applicants not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship).

Additional documents:

  1. Details of your planned visit (including arrival and departure dates, itinerary, accommodation arrangements, and so on)
  2. Evidence of your flight reservation (round-trip) and hotel reservations.
  3. An invitation letter issued by a Chinese travel agency (or another authorized organization) or an individual in China.

If necessary, the Chinese embassy, consulate or visa centre may require more additional documents.

  • Where to submit your application

In many countries, you need to apply for your visa at your local Chinese Visa Application Service Centre via the website https://www.visaforchina.org/. Fill in your application online at this website and then make an appointment to submit the application at the centre. You should submit your application at least four weeks in advance of your planned arrival date.

If there is no visa centre covering your area, you can go to the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate in your country. Please go in person or ask an agent to handle it on your behalf.

Starting from 2018, visa applicants from more and more countries have to make their visa application in person and have their fingerprints collected.

  • Collecting your visa

Once your visa is approved, you will generally have to return to the centre and pay the visa fee to collect your passport and visa.

Invitation Letters

The invitation letter is one of the main supporting documents you need to submit when applying for a visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate. The letter serves to explain your reasons for travelling to China and provides details of the planned visit. The invitation letter should be issued by a Chinese travel agency, company, or educational institution in China. Generally speaking, the invitation letter should include the details of the applicant, inviting party, and the invitation content.

China Visa-Free Transit Policies

  • 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit

As of March 2021, citizens of 53 countries can apply for a 144-hour transit visa exemption at designated airports of entry in Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Nanjing, Shenyang, Dalian, Qingdao, Chengdu, Xiamen, Kunming, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shenyang, Jieyang, Chongqing and Xi’an. The exemption permits a stay of no more than 144 hours (6 days) without a visa.

  • 72-Hour Visa-Free Transit

As of March 2021, citizens of 53 countries can apply for a 72-hour transit visa exemption at designated airports of entry in Changsha, Guilin, and Harbin. The exemption permits a stay of no more than 72 hours (3 days) without a visa.

Note: To take advantage of the visa exemptions, the eligible foreign citizen must be transiting through China on their way to a third country or region (including Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan). For example, a French person flying from Paris to Hong Kong via Beijing can stop in Beijing for 6 days. However, if they fly from Paris to Beijing and back to Paris again, a visa will be required.

  • Eligible countries and regions

Citizens of the following 53 countries (regions) holding ordinary passports can apply for a 72-hour or 144-hour transit visa exemption:

24 European Schengen countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovak, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

15 other European countries: Russia, Great Britain, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, and Monaco.

6 American countries: The United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile.

2 Oceanian countries: Australia and New Zealand

6 Asian countries: The Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

For details, see the National Immigration Administration: https://en.nia.gov.cn/n182/n285/n20208/n26006/c38080/content.html