China Visa-Free Entry 2025: Policy & Travel Ideas

China's visa-free entry policy allows citizens of certain countries to visit for up to 30 days without needing a visa. In this article, we will introduce the visa-free policy in China and the most recommended itineraries to help you plan a perfect China trip.

What Is the Visa-Free Entry Policy in China?

There are mainly 4 types of visa-free entry policies in mainland China: unilateral visa-free policy, 240-hour visa-free transit policy, mutual visa-free policy, and Hainan visa-free policy.

38 Countries with Visa-Free Access to China

China has implemented a unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from 38 countries. This visa-free policy allows citizens from these countries to enter China for up to 30 days without a visa for many purposes, including business, tourism, family visits, or transit.

These 38 countries are:

• 32 countries in Europe: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Denmark, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Finland, Slovakia, Monaco, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Norway, Iceland, and Latvia.
• 3 countries in Asia: Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan.
• 2 countries in Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.

25 Countries with Mutual Visa-Free Agreements

Currently, China has mutual visa exemption agreements with 23 countries for ordinary passport holders. These agreements typically allow for visa-free stays of up to 30 days.

The 25 countries with mutual visa exemptions are:

• Asia (6 countries): Thailand, Singapore, the Maldives, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Georgia.
• Europe (5 countries): Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and San Marino.
• Caribbean (4 countries): Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, The Bahamas, and Grenada.
• Oceania (3 countries): Fiji,Tonga, Solomon Islands.
• Middle East (3 countries): the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Mauritius.
• South America (3 countries): Dominica, Ecuador, and Suriname. 
• Africa (1 country): Seychelles.

Hainan Visa-Free Countries

Hainan visa-free policy has been extended to citizens of 59 countries since May 1, 2018. If you are from one of the following 59 countries, you can stay only in Hainan for 30 days.

These 59 countries including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Norway, Poland, Italy, Austria, Finland, etc. To learn more about this policy, please refer to the Hainan Visa-Free Policy.

240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Countries

Eligible travelers from 54 countries can enjoy a 10-day visa-free stay in designated areas of China when transiting to a third country. This convenient policy eliminates the need to apply for a visa in advance. To learn more about this policy, please refer to 10-Day Visa-Free Transit Policy.

The Forbidden City in Beijing

Recommended China Visa-Free Travel Ideas

Cheers! You can now start to plan your visa-free China tour! To save your precious time, we've compiled some itinerary ideas for a visa-free trip to China. Follow up and see what highlights you will see.

For Transit Tour in China

The 240-hour visa-free transit policy allows you to explore 24 regions and cities in China without a visa. Maximize your time with our recommended itinerary for an unforgettable transit tour.

For a Relax Visa-Free Vacation in China

For a more leisurely and immersive vacation in China, we recommend itineraries ranging from 2 weeks to 21 days. These trips allow you to explore both China’s iconic cities and hidden gems, offering an authentic experience. Below are some suggested itineraries covering the country's top highlights.

Tips for Visa-Free Entry

• Though you're visa-free to enter China, you still need special authorization to visit Tibet such as a Tibet Travel Permit. We can help you apply for one if you travel with us.
• Your 15 or 30 visa-free days start counting from the moment you step into China. That means the day you arrive and the day you leave both count towards your visa-free stay.
• Ensure your passport validity covers your stay in China.
• There are no special requirements for minors who are eligible for visa-free entry.
• If you're eligible for visa-free entry to China, you can depart from any country or region outside China.

Discover China with Us

Except for the itinerary ideas above, China has more waiting for you to discover. If you think these itineraries are not perfectly suitable for you, feel free to contact us or write to trip@odynovotours.com for a customized itinerary. Our experts will help plan a visa-free China tour that will meet your needs!