FAQs on Visa-free Entry into China
Primary reference for unilateral visa-free eligibility, purposes, passport requirements and current expiry dates.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Official China entry and visitor sources
Direct links to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Immigration Administration, State Council and responsible missions. Later formal notices take priority when an older page shows different information.
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List of Agreements on Mutual Visa Exemption
Always read the passport category. A country appearing in the table does not mean every ordinary passport qualifies.
China Online Visa Application System
Use the system and the responsible embassy or consulate for actual forms, fees and local document requirements.
Overseas Missions
Find the embassy or consulate responsible for the applicant’s place of residence and consular district.
Tourist Visa (L Visa): Eligibility and Documents
General L-visa guidance; the processing mission may simplify or request additional documents.
China Visa Information and FAQ Hub
Official starting point for visa categories, application guidance, forms, regulations and frequently asked questions.
Basic Materials for a Chinese Visa Application
Central checklist covering the online form, passport, photograph, lawful stay or residence evidence and prior Chinese documents where applicable.
M Visa: Commercial and Trade Activities
Official purpose and invitation-document guidance for applicants entering China for commercial and trade activities.
X1 and X2 Study Visa Materials
Explains the over-180-day X1 and up-to-180-day X2 distinction, school documents and the X1 post-entry residence-permit step.
57-country 240-hour Transit and Hainan Update
Current notice adding Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam. It updates earlier pages that still display lower country counts.
Visa-Free Transit Policies
Useful for route, port and permitted-area mechanics; use the later 20 Aug 2026 notice for the current country count.
China’s 240-hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
Plain-English official overview that should be paired with the NIA implementation notice.
Online Accommodation Registration Pilot
Online registration is a regional pilot, not a nationwide service. The underlying 24-hour registration duty still applies.
How to Submit Your Arrival Card Online
Official process for the online arrival card. Interfaces may change, so avoid copying old screenshots indefinitely.
Beware of Fraudulent Arrival Card Websites
The official arrival card is free. Use only the official NIA entry point linked by the notice.
Guide to Payment Services in China
Official overview of bank cards, mobile payment, cash, bank accounts and e-CNY. App screens and limits need separate re-checking.
A Welcome Guide to China
Useful cross-journey official guide. Some underlying statistics may predate the publication date.
Visit China — Official Resource Hub
Stable official starting point for entry, stay, payment and public-service updates.
Get Ready China is an independent information service. Border inspection, an embassy or consulate, a visa center, an airline, school or competent authority makes the final decision for an individual case.