Q: Who does the visa waiver apply to?

A: Nationals of 38 countries, including Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan, holding valid ordinary passports, can be exempted from visa requirements when entering China for the purpose of business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchanges, and transit. They can stay in China for no more than 30 days without a visa.

Q: Do foreign nationals eligible for a visa waiver need to make declarations to Chinese embassies and consulates in advance?

A: Foreign nationals eligible for a visa waiver do not need to declare in advance to Chinese embassies or consulates before entering China without a visa.

Q: Will the purpose of the intended stay in China be examined by Chinese border inspection authorities upon entry? How will it be done? Are other documents needed for entering China in addition to a passport?

A: Foreign nationals traveling for purposes such as business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchanges, and transit that meet the visa waiver requirements can enter China without a visa, upon examination and approval by border inspection authorities according to the law. Entry into China will be denied to foreign nationals traveling for purposes that do not meet the visa waiver requirements or who are not allowed to enter China according to laws and regulations. It is recommended to carry documents such as invitation letters, air tickets, and accommodation reservations as proof of the purpose of entry into China. The visa waiver does not apply to individuals coming to China for work, study, journalism, or similar purposes.

Q: Are there any additional requirements for minors eligible for a visa waiver?

A: The visa waiver requirements for minors are the same as for adults.

Q: Are there any requirements regarding the type and validity of entry documents?

A: Foreign nationals need an ordinary passport valid for at least the duration of their intended stay in China. Holders of travel documents, temporary, or emergency documents other than ordinary passports are not allowed to enter China without a visa.

Q: How is the duration of stay of 30 days calculated?

A: Foreign nationals eligible for a visa waiver can stay in China continuously without a visa from the date of entry until 24:00 on the 30th calendar day.

Q: Does the visa waiver apply to foreign nationals traveling from a third country?

A: Eligible foreign nationals can depart for China from any country or region.

Q: Does the visa waiver apply to foreign nationals traveling by forms of transport other than air?

A: The visa waiver applies to all travelers entering China through any sea, road, or air port open to foreign nationals (except where laws, regulations, and bilateral arrangements specify otherwise). For arrivals in China by private transport, certain procedures for entry and exit of means of transport must be processed in accordance with relevant laws and regulations of China.

Q: Does the visa waiver apply to tour groups?

A: The visa waiver applies to eligible foreign nationals, whether they are in tour groups or traveling individually.

Q: If the length of the intended stay exceeds 30 days, can the visa waiver be extended?

A: Foreign nationals planning to stay in China for more than 30 days should apply for the appropriate visa corresponding to their purposes of stay in advance at Chinese embassies or consulates. If they need to stay longer than 30 days for appropriate and sufficient reasons after entering China without a visa, they must apply for stay permits with the exit and entry administrations of the public security authorities in China.

Q: Does the visa waiver allow multiple entries? Are there any requirements on the length of intervals between each entry, or any restrictions on the number of entries without a visa or total days of stay?

A: Foreign nationals eligible for the visa waiver can enter China without a visa multiple times. Currently, there is no restriction on the number of entries or total days of stay, but those who enjoy visa-free travel to China must not engage in activities inconsistent with their stated purposes of entry.