FROM INSPIRATION TO YOUR JOURNEY
A place you dream of. A journey shaped around you.
Plan my tripA deeper China. A journey of your own.
Start with official information and a clear checklist. This page does not replace official requirements or determine eligibility.
Requirements may vary by nationality, travel purpose, length of stay and entry route. Rules can change; verify them with the relevant official authority.
Check document details, validity and applicable requirements, then organise necessary materials.
Clarify purpose, planned stay and destinations; different circumstances involve different processes.
Confirm ports of entry, origin and onward plans, checking requirements before booking.
Prepare materials according to official instructions and ask the relevant authority when unsure.
These are information sources, not a claim of affiliation or endorsement.
Official information relating to entry and exit.
Visit official website (new tab)Find the relevant mission for visa and application instructions where you live.
Visit official website (new tab)This page provides dated information and official references. Carrier advice can supplement it; eligibility, permitted stay and admission remain subject to the relevant authorities.
Official sources checked: 2026-10-02. Recheck the linked official guidance for your circumstances before departure.
01
For a mainland China trip, distinguish entry with a visa, visa-free entry and visa-free transit. Their document, purpose, duration and itinerary conditions differ. Before making non-refundable bookings, list your passport nationality and type, purpose, entry date, planned stay and full international itinerary, then check the relevant official rules.
This guide concerns mainland China. Check Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan entry arrangements separately. If you leave the mainland and return, review your eligibility again, including visa entry count and validity. Confirm any permits for restricted areas before reserving transport or accommodation.
02
The current MFA unilateral waiver covers listed nationalities holding valid ordinary passports for specified purposes, with stays of up to 30 days. It does not apply to every foreign passport. Read the official FAQ for the nationality list and expiry dates; bilateral agreements may have different terms. Tourism exemptions do not automatically cover work or study.
Keep flight, accommodation and itinerary records supporting your purpose, and check that your passport covers the intended stay. If your planned visit exceeds the applicable allowance, ask the relevant Chinese mission about an appropriate visa before departure. Do not rely on receiving an extension after arrival. Border authorities decide admission.
03
NIA’s 20 August 2026 explanation covers eligible nationals of 57 countries for stays of up to 10 days through designated ports and within permitted areas. Check ordinary-passport eligibility, confirmed onward tickets to a third country or region, the port and permitted stay area. An ordinary return journey to the same overseas point should not be treated as meeting the third-destination requirement.
Map the complete overseas A–mainland China–overseas B journey, then confirm it with the carrier and immigration authorities. Check each stop against the permitted area even when travelling across provinces. Recheck the whole itinerary after adding domestic connections, changing ports or using a land border.
04
24-hour direct transit and 240-hour transit are separate policies. NIA describes direct transit for travellers with valid international travel documents and confirmed onward tickets to a third country or region who remain within the port’s restricted area. Leaving that area requires a temporary entry permit from the port’s immigration authority.
A long layover does not automatically allow a city visit. Confirm the procedure before booking an outside hotel, transferring between airports or reserving a tour, and allow time for baggage collection, security, transport and check-in.
05
Foreign visitors can complete arrival information through official NIA channels before travelling. Have your passport, flight or other transport details, mainland accommodation address and contact information ready; follow the actual fields and save the completion information. An arrival card is neither a visa application nor entry approval.
The official notice also provides port QR codes, on-site devices or paper cards for travellers unable to complete it online; exemptions apply to some categories. Use the official entry point and avoid sending passport details to unidentified arrival-card intermediaries.
Open the official arrival card service06
Hotels register foreign guests under the applicable rules; present the document used for entry at check-in. For a private home or other non-hotel address, you or your host must register with local public security within 24 hours of arrival at the accommodation. Ask about the requirements again when moving to a new address.
From 21 September 2026, NIA has expanded online non-hotel registration nationwide through its website, NIA 12367 app, WeChat and Alipay mini programs. The in-person channel remains available. Keep the registration result and contact the local authority if the service cannot match your address.
07
Save the first hotel’s Chinese name, full address, phone number and confirmation offline. Check the transfer from your actual terminal or station; for late arrivals, confirm last departures and reception arrangements. A city name alone says little about the distance to your accommodation.
Keep your passport, entry record and emergency contacts secure, and share the itinerary with a trusted contact. Plan departure around the stay actually granted, and seek advice promptly if plans change. Use the 12367 service channels for immigration enquiries.
This depends on nationality, purpose, stay and entry route. Consult the relevant official sources; this page does not determine individual eligibility.
Recheck applicable requirements with the relevant authority if destinations, entry routes or stay arrangements change.
No. Entry decisions are made by the relevant authorities. Travel planning cannot replace official assessment.
A preparation aid, not an exhaustive list of required documents.
Start with your interests, available time and the right combination of places.
Plan by region and interest, rather than choosing one season for the whole country.
Meet local life with curiosity, consideration and an open mind.
