On May 06, 2024, China announced the decision that the 15 days visa-free policy to China provided to citizens of 12 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg, to be extended to December 31, 2025. That’s to say, ordinary passport holders of the above-mentioned countries can enter China and stay for up to 15 days without a Chinese visa for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit purposes. Previously, this 15 days visa-free entry policy was effective till November 30, 2024. Those who do not meet the visa-free conditions still need to obtain China visas before entering.
Then, on June 25, 2024, a new announcement confirmed the expansion of this trial 15-day visa-free policy to ordinary passport holders from New Zealand, Australia, and Poland. The policy will be effective from July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025.
All of these trial unilateral visa-free policies aim to further promote international exchanges.
√Read more: How to Visit China Without a Visa – Updates on China’s Visa-Free Policies
FAQs about China 15 Days Visa-free Entry Policy
1. Do Chinese immigration inspection authorities verify the purpose of entry into China? Besides a passport, do I need other documents or materials when entering?
Citizens from the above-mentioned 15 countries, only for travel purposes, such as business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit, will be allowed to enter without a China visa after verification by Chinese border inspection authorities.
If your travel purpose does not align with the 15 days visa-free policy or in categories of entry denial, the Chinese immigration inspection authorities will make a decision according to relevant laws and regulations. Visit purposes, such as work, study, or media reporting, are not covered by the visa-free entry policy.
Just in case, it’s recommended to carry necessary supporting documents such as an invitation letter, flight tickets, and hotel reservations that help to verify your visit purpose.
2. Do I need to notify the Chinese embassies or consulates in advance if I am eligible for the 15 days visa-free policy to China?
No. Citizens who are eligible for the China visa-free policy don’t need to notify the Chinese embassies or consulates in advance.
3. Does the visa-free entry policy apply to other modes of entry besides air travel?
Yes. The trial visa-free entry policy is effective in all sea, land, and air ports that are open to foreigners (except where laws, regulations, or bilateral arrangements specify otherwise). Travelers entering China by their own transportation should follow certain Chinese laws and regulations to process procedures for entry and exit of their vehicles.
4. How to calculate the 15-day stay period?
The 15-day stay period means stay 15 consecutive natural days from the day of entry to 24:00 of the 15th natural day.
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5. Am I eligible for a visa-free entry policy to China if I depart from a non-nationality country?
Yes. Citizens who are eligible for 15-day visa-free policy to China can depart from any country (region) outside China.
6. Can I enter mulitple times? Are there any requirements for the interval between entries? Are there limited number of visa-free entries, or total days of stay limit?
You can enter China visa-free multiple times if you are eligible for the 15 days visa-free entry policy. Currently, there is no limit on number of visa-free entries or total days of stay limit. But please keep in mind that your entry purpose can only be for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit. Activities inconsistent with the purpose of entry are not allowed.
7. Can I make an extension if my stay exceeds 15 days?
If your expect to stay over 15 days in China, you shold apply for a China visa according to your entry purpose from a Chinese embassy or consulate before your entry.
If you enter China under the 15 days visa-free policy and need to stay more days for legitimate reasons, you should apply for a temporary stay permit to the Chinese exit & entry administration of the public security departments before the expiration of the 15-day stay.
8. What are the requirements for the type and validity of entry documents?
Citizens eligible for the 15-day visa-free policy should hold a valid ordinary passport (validity can cover the duration of your stay) to enter China. Holding any other documents like travel documents, or temporary or emergency documents are not eligible for the visa-free policy.
More Latest Updates about China Visa-free Policies
- Updates on 144-hour visa-free transit in China:On July 15, 2024, Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, and Mohan Railway Port were added as ports that adopt the 144-hour visa-free transit policy. By then, the number of ports for 144-hour visa-free transit policy has been expanded to 37. In Yunnan, the stay range has been expanded from Kunming to Lijiang, Dali, Xishuangbanna, and five other regions.
- Updates on 24-hour visa-free transit in China: Up to now, all international travelers can apply for a 24-hour visa-free transit permit when transiting through any open ports in China. The eligibility requires a connecting ticket on international flights, ships, or trains to a third country. And the visa-free stay should be within 24 hours and without leaving the port of entry.
- Visa-free travel for tour groups on cruise ships: From May 15, 2024, foreign tourist groups (of 2 or more people) entering China by cruise ships and organized by Chinese domestic travel agencies can enjoy 15-day visa-free entry through 13 designated cruise ports. To be eligible for visa-free entry, tourist groups must travel with the same cruise ship to the next port until the end of their China tour, and the eligible areas for visa-free travel are 11 coastal provinces (Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan) and Beijing.
