Do you need a visa for China?
The official link goes to en.nia.gov.cn. NUM isn’t a government agency or a visa service. Rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay or travel.
What your passport needs for China.
No visa for a short visit · 20
- Canadian citizens
- Brazilian citizens
- British citizens
- Irish citizens
- German citizens
- French citizens
- Italian citizens
- Spanish citizens
- Dutch citizens
- Swiss citizens
- Russian citizens
- Emirati citizens
- Saudi citizens
- Japanese citizens
- South Korean citizens
- Singaporean citizens
- Malaysian citizens
- Thai citizens
- Australian citizens
- New Zealand citizens
Visa needed before you travel · 10
Special permit · 2
The Foreigner Arrival Card.
| Form | Foreigner Arrival Card (online pre-filling, 'Arrival Card E-filling') |
|---|---|
| Who and when | 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 site | s.nia.gov.cn |
Arrival forms are free or nearly so on the official site. Sites that charge to “process” one are private services.
What China checks.
- Before you go. 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).
- Your passport. At least 6 months beyond arrival. For 240-hour visa-free transit, at least 3 months.
- 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.
- At the border. Fingerprints and photo may be taken at entry. Visa applicants give fingerprints at the visa centre.
- Also. Exit bans can be imposed without transparent process (often civil/commercial disputes); you may learn of one only at departure.
- Also. China does not recognise dual nationality; people of Chinese descent on foreign passports may be treated as Chinese citizens. Carry proof of renunciation if applicable.
The visitor visas for China.
| Visa | Who it’s for | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| L visa (tourist) Varies by nationality (US citizens USD 140 under the reduction to 31 Dec 2026) | Tourists who are not visa-free or need more than 30 days | As stated on the visa, typically 30-60 days per entry; US citizens often get 10-year multiple entry |
| M visa (business/trade) Varies by nationality | Commercial and trade visitors not covered by visa-free entry or staying over 30 days | As stated on the visa |
| 240-hour visa-free transit / 24-hour direct transit Free | 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 | Up to 240 hours in 24 provincial regions; 24-hour transit open to all at international airports |
| Z visa + Foreigner's Work Permit Varies by nationality | Foreign employees hired by a Chinese employer | Z visa for entry, then convert to a work-type residence permit after arrival |
| R visa (high-level talent) and K visa (young STEM talent, from 1 Oct 2025) Varies | Recognised high-level foreign talent (R); young science/technology graduates and professionals (K) | As issued |
Data the moment you land in China
A NUM eSIM on China Mobile: install on wifi before you go, switch it on when you land, keep your own number. Your NUM concierge comes with it.
Get my China eSIM All plans and networks
Prices on 4 Nov 2026; the shop shows today’s, and the price on the pay button is the price you pay. Full refund if we can’t issue it.
Recent and coming changes in China.
- 2026-08-20 — Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam added to 240-hour visa-free transit (now 57 countries) and Hainan 30-day visa-free entry (now 61 countries).
- 2026-05-20 — Visa-free entry for Russian citizens extended to 31 Dec 2027.
- 2026-02-17 — United Kingdom and Canada added to 30-day visa-free entry, to 31 Dec 2026.
- 2025-12-29 — Reduced visa fees extended to 31 Dec 2026 (notice from Chinese missions in the US).
- 2025-11-20 — Online arrival card pre-filling launched for foreigners (NIA site, NIA 12367 app, WeChat/Alipay).
- 2025-11-10 — Sweden added; unilateral visa-free policy extended to 31 Dec 2026.
- Coming 2026-12-31 — 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.
- Coming 2026-12-31 — Reduced visa fees end unless extended again.
- Coming 2026 — March 2026 multi-ministry measures plan to widen the unilateral visa-free list, improve transit, study e-visas and pilot online applications.
How to spot a copycat visa site.
- Check the address. China’s official link on this page goes to en.nia.gov.cn. Look-alike sites use similar names and flags.
- Compare the fee. If the price is far above the government fee, you’re paying a private service. It should say so plainly.
- Ignore “fast-track” upsells. Nobody outside the government can speed up or promise a decision.
The short answers.
Do I need a visa for China?
It depends on your passport. Of the 32 passports NUM checks, 20 need no visa for a short visit, 10 need a visa before travelling and 2 need a special permit. Pick your passport on this page for the exact rule, the fee and the stay.
Does China have an eVisa?
Not for most visitors: 20 of the 32 passports NUM checks need no visa for a short visit. The rest apply for a visa before they travel, and the official site, en.nia.gov.cn, says how.
Is there an arrival card for China?
Yes: the 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.
How long must my passport be valid for China?
At least 6 months beyond arrival. For 240-hour visa-free transit, at least 3 months.
Does NUM issue China visas?
No. Only the government issues them. NUM isn’t a government agency or a visa service: it explains the rule for your passport and links the official site, free.
Need the rest? The full China entry requirements cover customs, vaccines, travelling with children and every passport in one table.