Hainan Visa Policy 2024: Visa-Free or Port Visa?

Are you planning to visit China from Hainan but getting a little bit confused about the visa policy in Hainan? Hainan offers very convenient visa-free entry and port visa policies. In this article, we will discuss about what to prepare for visa-free entry and port visas and the differences between them.

Hainan Visa-Free Policy

The 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 through any of its open ports by airplane, cruise, or other means and stay for 30 days (starting from 12 am of the second day after entry).

You can visit Hainan without a visa

Available Countries

American Countries:

United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Argentina

European Countries:

United Kingdom, France, Russia, Germany, Norway, Ukraine, Poland, Italy, Austria, Finland, Netherland, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Swiss, Spain, Belgium, Czech, Estonia, Portuguese, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, Serbia, Belarus, Ireland, Albania, Cyprus, Monaco, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and North Macedonia

Asian Countries:

Korean, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Indonesia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates

Oceanian Countries:

Australia, New Zealand

Ports of Entry

For your convenience, we suggest you enter Hainan by the following four ports: Haikou Meilan Airport, Sanya Phoenix Airport, Haikou Port, and Sanya Port.

What to Prepare for Visa-Free Entry

1. Passport

It must be a valid passport of your own.

2. Optional: Details of Your Hainan Tour

When you go through customs, you can present copies of your hotel reservation, round-trip plane or cruise tickets, and other travel-related information.

How to Apply for a Port Visa in Hainan

Visa-on-Arrival has another name in China: port visa. If you plan to travel to Hainan and then visit other cities in mainland China like Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an, you need to apply for a port visa. However, port visas are only applicable for group tours of two or more people and require assistance from an authorized travel agency.

Ask your tour operator for help if you want to travel out of Hainan

Essential Methods for a Port Visa

1. A valid passport or other international travel document.

2. An application form for a foreigner's port visa.

3. Prepare an identification photo, or you can take one at the authority.

4. Detailed schedules of your mainland China tour and confirmation documents provided by your travel agency.

Where to Apply for a Port Visa

You can submit your application at the following ports of entry: Haikou Meilan Airport, Sanya Phoenix Airport, Haikou Port, and Sanya Port. Or you can ask your travel agency to submit the materials for you.

Valid Period of Port Visa

The visa-on-arrival is valid for single entry. For travel purposes, you're allowed to visit mainland China within 15 days as soon as the port visa takes effect and stay no more than 30 days.

Other FAQs about Hainan Visa Policy

1. Can I come alone for visa-free entry to Hainan?

Yes. You can come alone. But if you want to explore other cities in mainland China, you need to join a group tour (at least two tourists included) and apply for a port visa.

2. Can I visit Tibet with the port visa I get in Hainan?

No. You still need a Tibet Travel Permit, an entry license that allows you to travel to Tibet by group travel, and a Military Area Entry Permit because some areas of Tibet are "military sensitive".

3. I need to transit in Hainan and I want to have a trip there. Do I need a visa?

If you're from the 59 countries we mentioned above, you don't need a visa to transit in Hainan and you can enjoy your trip there. If you're not, you can enter Hainan without a visa as well. However, you can only stay at the arrival port for no more than 24 hours.

Have a good time in other cities in China!

Feel Free to Ask for Help

Enjoy yourself in Hainan during the 30 days! If you need help planning your Hainan tour, contact us or write to trip@odynovotours.com. Our experts will respond within 24 hours.