China (mainland) entry requirements, by passport
What you need to get into China (mainland) depends on the passport in your hand. Find yours below: the visa or e-authorisation, how long you can stay, the official fee and the government page to apply on.
30 of 32 passports verified on official pages.
What each passport needs
| Passport | To get in | Stay | Document and fee | Apply | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Visa needed before you fly | As granted on the visa | Chinese visa (L tourist / M business)Official fee: USD 140 (US-citizen rate under the visa-fee reduction, extended to 31 Dec 2026; visa-centre service fees extra)Apply: About 1 month; online form on COVA, then submit at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center or consulate (fingerprints taken) | Official page | Verified |
| Canada | Visa-free | 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Mexico | Visa needed before you fly | As granted on the visa | Chinese visa (L tourist / M business)Official fee: Varies by nationality (reduced visa fees extended to 31 Dec 2026)Apply: About 1 month; online form on COVA, then submit at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center or consulate (fingerprints taken) | Official page | Verified |
| Brazil | Visa-free | 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| United Kingdom | Visa-free | 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Ireland | Visa-free | 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Germany | Visa-free | 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| France | Visa-free | 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Italy | Visa-free | 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Spain | Visa-free | 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Netherlands | Visa-free | 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Switzerland | Visa-free | 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Russia | Visa-free | 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Türkiye | Visa needed before you fly | As granted on the visa | Chinese visa (L tourist / M business)Official fee: Varies by nationality (reduced visa fees extended to 31 Dec 2026)Apply: About 1 month; online form on COVA, then submit at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center or consulate (fingerprints taken) | Official page | Verified |
| Israel | Visa needed before you fly | As granted on the visa | Chinese visa (L tourist / M business)Official fee: Varies by nationality (reduced visa fees extended to 31 Dec 2026)Apply: About 1 month; online form on COVA, then submit at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center or consulate (fingerprints taken) | Official page | Verified |
| United Arab Emirates | Visa-free | 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Saudi Arabia | Visa-free | 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| India | Visa needed before you fly | As granted on the visa | Chinese visa (L tourist / M business)Official fee: Varies by nationality (reduced visa fees extended to 31 Dec 2026)Apply: About 1 month; online form on COVA, then submit at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center or consulate (fingerprints taken) | Official page | Verified |
| China (mainland) | Own country | ||||
| Hong Kong SAR | Special permit | No fixed limit for Chinese-citizen residents | Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (Home Return Permit) | Likely | |
| Taiwan | Special permit | Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents (Taiwan Compatriot Permit) | Likely | ||
| Japan | Visa-free | 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| South Korea | Visa-free | 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Singapore | Visa-free | 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Malaysia | Visa-free | 30 days per entry, max 90 days in any 180 | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Thailand | Visa-free | 30 days per entry, max 90 days in any 180 | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Vietnam | Visa needed before you fly | As granted on the visa | Chinese visa (L tourist / M business)Official fee: Varies by nationality (reduced visa fees extended to 31 Dec 2026)Apply: About 1 month; online form on COVA, then submit at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center or consulate (fingerprints taken) | Official page | Verified |
| Philippines | Visa needed before you fly | As granted on the visa | Chinese visa (L tourist / M business)Official fee: Varies by nationality (reduced visa fees extended to 31 Dec 2026)Apply: About 1 month; online form on COVA, then submit at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center or consulate (fingerprints taken) | Official page | Verified |
| Indonesia | Visa needed before you fly | As granted on the visa | Chinese visa (L tourist / M business)Official fee: Varies by nationality (reduced visa fees extended to 31 Dec 2026)Apply: About 1 month; online form on COVA, then submit at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center or consulate (fingerprints taken) | Official page | Verified |
| Australia | Visa-free | 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| New Zealand | Visa-free | 30 days | Nothing to apply for | Official page | Verified |
| Nigeria | Visa needed before you fly | As granted on the visa | Chinese visa (L tourist / M business)Official fee: Varies by nationality (reduced visa fees extended to 31 Dec 2026)Apply: About 1 month; online form on COVA, then submit at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center or consulate (fingerprints taken) | Official page | Verified |
| South Africa | Visa needed before you fly | As granted on the visa | Chinese visa (L tourist / M business)Official fee: Varies by nationality (reduced visa fees extended to 31 Dec 2026)Apply: About 1 month; online form on COVA, then submit at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center or consulate (fingerprints taken) | Official page | Verified |
Verified means NUM read it on a government page on 10–11 Oct 2026. Likely means a reputable source says it and one official page agreed. Not checked yet means NUM could not confirm it: use the official page. Fees are as published on that date and can change.
The rules everyone meets at the border
Passport
At least 6 months beyond arrival. For 240-hour visa-free transit, at least 3 months. Safe standard: 6 months left on the day you arrive.
Arrival card
Foreigner Arrival Card (online pre-filling, 'Arrival Card E-filling'). Fill online before arrival (NIA website, NIA 12367 app, WeChat/Alipay mini programs) or at the port by QR code, kiosk or paper card. Exempt: 24-hour direct transit staying in the port, e-Channel users, group visa / group visa-free travellers, cruise passengers staying with the ship, PR card holders. Fee: Free.
Official form · free on the official site
Border systems for every visitor
No electronic travel authorization. Visa-free entrants need only an ordinary passport. The unilateral 30-day policy runs to 31 Dec 2026 (Russia to 31 Dec 2027).
Onward ticket
Required for 240-hour visa-free transit: confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region within 240 hours. Not stated as a rule for 30-day visa-free entry, but carry one.
Travel insurance
Not an entry requirement in FCDO or US State Dept guidance.
Vaccinations
Yellow fever certificate if arriving from a yellow-fever-risk country (US State Dept: including after a 12-hour+ layover there). Infectious-disease testing (swabs, blood, urine) can be required at the border; refusal can mean refused entry.
Cash to declare at customs
RMB 20,000 cash per person on entry and exit. Declare anything prohibited or dutiable.
Medicines, vapes and banned items
Zero tolerance for drugs incl. cannabis/CBD products; a positive drug test can mean detention even for use before arrival. Drones need a permit and can be confiscated.
Travelling with children
Bring each child's birth certificate (or proof of relationship). One parent travelling: notarized consent from the absent parent or proof of sole custody. Unaccompanied minors: notarized consent from parent/guardian.
Work, study, working holiday and nomad visas
Every official route NUM found for China (mainland). You apply directly with the government.
Work permits
Foreign employees hired by a Chinese employer
Stay: Z visa for entry, then convert to a work-type residence permit after arrival
Employer obtains work permit notice; tourist/business visas and visa-free entry do not allow work
Official fee: Varies by nationality
Recognised high-level foreign talent (R); young science/technology graduates and professionals (K)
Stay: As issued
Talent certification (R); K does not need an employer invitation
Official fee: Varies
Study
Students: X1 for over 180 days (convert to residence permit), X2 for 180 days or less
Stay: Length of programme
JW201/JW202 form and admission letter from the Chinese institution
Official fee: Varies by nationality
Digital nomad
China has no digital nomad or remote-work visa
Paid work needs a Z visa and work permit
Family
Q: family of Chinese citizens or foreign permanent residents; S: family of foreigners working/studying in China
Stay: Q1/S1 over 180 days (convert to residence permit); Q2/S2 short visits
Proof of relationship and invitation from the family member in China
Official fee: Varies by nationality
Business
Commercial and trade visitors not covered by visa-free entry or staying over 30 days
Stay: As stated on the visa
Invitation from Chinese business partner; COVA application
Official fee: Varies by nationality
Transit
Nationals of 57 countries (incl. US, UK, Canada, EU states, Russia, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Korea, Singapore, UAE, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia, NZ) transiting to a third country/region
Stay: Up to 240 hours in 24 provincial regions; 24-hour transit open to all at international airports
Ordinary passport valid 3+ months, confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region, entry via one of 65 open ports
Official fee: Free
Tourist
Tourists who are not visa-free or need more than 30 days
Stay: As stated on the visa, typically 30-60 days per entry; US citizens often get 10-year multiple entry
Online COVA form, passport with 6 months validity and 2 blank pages, itinerary/bookings or invitation, fingerprints at visa centre
Official fee: Varies by nationality (US citizens USD 140 under the reduction to 31 Dec 2026)
What changed, and what is coming
- 2026-12-31 · Confirmed Unilateral 30-day visa-free policy (all listed countries except Russia) expires at 24:00 on 31 Dec 2026 unless extended. No extension found as of 10 Oct 2026. Source
- 2026-12-31 · Confirmed Reduced visa fees end unless extended again. Source
- 2026-08-20 · In force Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam added to 240-hour visa-free transit (now 57 countries) and Hainan 30-day visa-free entry (now 61 countries). Source
- 2026-05-20 · In force Visa-free entry for Russian citizens extended to 31 Dec 2027. Source
- 2026-02-17 · In force United Kingdom and Canada added to 30-day visa-free entry, to 31 Dec 2026. Source
- 2026 · Announced March 2026 multi-ministry measures plan to widen the unilateral visa-free list, improve transit, study e-visas and pilot online applications. Source
- 2025-12-29 · In force Reduced visa fees extended to 31 Dec 2026 (notice from Chinese missions in the US). Source
- 2025-11-20 · In force Online arrival card pre-filling launched for foreigners (NIA site, NIA 12367 app, WeChat/Alipay). Source
- 2025-11-10 · In force Sweden added; unilateral visa-free policy extended to 31 Dec 2026. Source
- 2025-09-15 · In force 30-day visa-free trial for Russian citizens began. Source
- 2025-07-17 · In force China-Malaysia mutual visa exemption in force: 30 days per entry, 90 in 180. Source
- 2025-06-12 · In force Indonesia added to 240-hour visa-free transit (55 countries). Source
- 2025-06-09 · In force Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain added to 30-day visa-free entry. Source
- 2025-06-01 · In force Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay added to 30-day visa-free entry. Source
Your checklist, with the dates it is due
NUM builds it for your passport and your travel dates: the authorisation and when to apply, the arrival card and the day it opens, what to carry at the border, your own country's exit rules, and a calendar file for every deadline.
Every document here is issued by a government, and the official link is the only place to get it. Most arrival cards and many authorisations are free. NUM is not a visa service and cannot apply for anything. Rules change without notice: the official page always has the final word.