China Entry and Arrival Checklist for International Travellers
Last reviewed: 27 July 2026. Use this checklist to prepare the practical side of a China journey: entry eligibility, passport and booking consistency, arrival registration, payments, mobile connectivity, rail travel and the first day on the ground.
Prepared by the Impression China Journeys planning team. Time-sensitive policy details are checked against current official sources; see our Editorial & Information Standards.
Entry policies depend on nationality, passport type, route and purpose of travel. This page is general planning guidance, not immigration or legal advice. Always confirm the latest rules with the National Immigration Administration and the Chinese embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence before departure.
1. Confirm how you are eligible to enter China
Your trip may require a visa, qualify under a unilateral or mutual visa-exemption arrangement, or meet the conditions for visa-free transit. Do not assume that a friend’s eligibility applies to you: nationality, passport and itinerary all matter.
Ordinary-passport holders covered by China’s unilateral 30-day visa-free policy
The following country-by-country table is based on the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official visa-free entry FAQ, reviewed on 27 July 2026. It applies to valid ordinary passports for business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange visits and transit. The maximum stay is 30 days. Work, study, journalism and other activities requiring prior approval are outside this policy.
| Country | Passport scope | Maximum visa-free stay | Current policy validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunei | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | No implementation end date stated |
| France | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Germany | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Italy | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Spain | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Netherlands | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Switzerland | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Ireland | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Hungary | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Austria | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Belgium | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Luxembourg | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| New Zealand | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Australia | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Poland | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Portugal | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Greece | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Cyprus | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Slovenia | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Slovakia | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Norway | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Finland | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Denmark | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Iceland | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Andorra | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Monaco | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Liechtenstein | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Republic of Korea | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Bulgaria | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Romania | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Croatia | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Montenegro | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| North Macedonia | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Malta | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Estonia | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Latvia | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Japan | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Brazil | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Argentina | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Chile | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Peru | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Uruguay | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Saudi Arabia | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Oman | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Kuwait | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Bahrain | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Russia | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2027 |
| Sweden | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| Canada | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
| United Kingdom | Ordinary passport | Up to 30 days | 31 December 2026 |
Policy notes: Canada and the United Kingdom entered the programme on 17 February 2026. The MFA FAQ states no implementation end date for Brunei, validity through 31 December 2027 for Russia, and validity through 31 December 2026 for the other 48 countries. A traveller who plans to stay longer than 30 days should obtain the appropriate visa before travel; any in-country extension is subject to approval by the competent exit-entry authority.
Official source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs — FAQs on Visa-free Entry into China.
Countries covered by the 240-hour visa-free transit policy
For eligible travellers from the following 55 countries, the maximum transit stay is 240 hours (10 days), subject to entry through a designated port, travel onward to a third country or region, confirmed onward arrangements and movement only within permitted areas:
- Europe (40): Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and United Kingdom.
- Americas (6): Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico and United States.
- Oceania (2): Australia and New Zealand.
- Asia (7): Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Qatar, Singapore, Republic of Korea and United Arab Emirates.
Official source: National Immigration Administration — conditions, eligible countries, ports and permitted stay areas for 240-hour visa-free transit.
Mutual visa-exemption agreements are a separate category. They can cover different passport types and may contain agreement-specific conditions. They should be checked in the MFA’s current List of Agreements on Mutual Visa Exemption; do not infer eligibility merely because a country appears in a diplomatic-passport agreement.
How the 30-day unilateral stay is counted
- The 30-day period is calculated from the day after entry and lasts for 30 calendar days.
- Eligible travellers may enter multiple times. The current MFA FAQ states no restriction on the number of entries or total days under this unilateral policy, but every entry remains subject to border examination and the traveller must not engage in activities inconsistent with the declared purpose.
- The ordinary passport must be valid for at least the intended stay. Temporary or emergency travel documents do not qualify under this unilateral policy.
- The MFA recommends carrying evidence matching the purpose of entry, such as flight bookings, accommodation reservations or an invitation letter.
Regional and group-based visa-free policies
| Policy | Who may qualify | Maximum stay | Geographic and operating limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hainan regional visa-free entry | Ordinary-passport holders from 59 officially listed countries | 30 days | Stay within Hainan; enter through an open Hainan port |
| International cruise tourist groups | Foreign groups of two or more, organized and received by a China-registered travel agency | 15 days | Enter and depart on the same scheduled cruise; travel only in the permitted coastal areas |
| Xishuangbanna groups from ASEAN states | Groups of two or more ordinary-passport holders from the 10 ASEAN member states, organized and received by a China-registered travel agency | 6 days | Enter and leave as a group through designated ports; stay within Xishuangbanna |
| Guilin groups from ASEAN states | Groups of two or more ordinary-passport holders from the 10 ASEAN member states, organized and received by a China-registered travel agency | 6 days | Enter and leave as a group through Guilin airport; stay within Guilin |
| Hong Kong/Macao to specified Guangdong cities | Eligible foreign tourist groups organized by a travel agency registered in Hong Kong or Macao | 6 days | Enter and leave as a group; limited to the 10 officially listed Guangdong cities |
| Hong Kong/Macao to Hainan groups | Eligible foreign tourist groups organized by a travel agency registered in Hong Kong or Macao | 6 days | Enter and leave Hainan as a group through an open Hainan port |
The regional-policy stay period is calculated from 00:00 on the day after entry. Official source and full country/port conditions: National Immigration Administration — Regional Visa-Free Entry Policies for Foreign Nationals.
Visa-free transit is not the same as ordinary visa-free entry
China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy currently applies to eligible citizens of 55 countries entering through 65 designated ports in 24 provincial-level regions. Travellers must be in transit to a third country or region, hold a valid international travel document and have confirmed onward arrangements within 240 hours. They must remain within the permitted stay areas.
For example, Country A → China → Country B can meet the route concept; a simple return from China to Country A does not. Eligibility and permitted areas still need to be checked for the exact itinerary.
Official reference: National Immigration Administration notice on the 240-hour visa-free transit policy and designated ports.
2. Check passport details against every reservation
- Confirm your passport validity and any blank-page requirements applicable to your entry route.
- Use the same name order and passport number on flights, trains and other identity-linked bookings.
- Tell your planner immediately if a passport is renewed after reservations are made.
- Keep secure digital copies of the passport identity page, visa or eligibility documents and insurance details.
- Carry the original travel document used for train and flight bookings.
3. Prepare your arrival information
Keep your first accommodation address, local contact, return or onward booking and core itinerary easy to retrieve at the border. Do not rely on information stored only inside one app or online account.
If you stay in a hotel, the hotel normally handles accommodation registration after you present your valid travel document. If you stay somewhere other than a hotel, you or your host must complete accommodation registration within 24 hours. The National Immigration Administration currently offers online registration with the same legal effect as on-site registration in seven pilot regions—Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Hubei, Guangxi, Chongqing and Sichuan. Check current local availability; where the online service is unavailable, use the relevant local public-security or exit-entry service.
Official references: National Immigration Administration accommodation-registration guidance and the Guide to Working and Living in China.
4. Set up more than one payment method
Mobile payment is widely used, but international visitors should prepare a combination of options rather than rely on one method.
- Mobile payment: current official guidance describes registration with a foreign or Chinese mobile number and the binding of supported international cards in Alipay, Weixin Pay or UnionPay.
- Bank cards: acceptance depends on the merchant and the card logos displayed.
- RMB cash: cash remains a valid fallback and can be obtained through eligible exchange counters or compatible ATMs.
- Issuer approval: an overseas card may still require verification by its issuing bank.
Complete account registration and test card verification before departure when possible. Payment-app limits, supported card brands and fees may change; follow the current in-app terms.
Official references: 2026 Guide to Payment Services in China and the State Council payment service guide for overseas visitors.
5. Plan mobile data and essential app access
Decide whether you will use international roaming, a travel data service or a local SIM. The official government guide notes that visitors can apply for a local SIM at service offices of China Telecom, China Mobile or China Unicom by presenting a passport or other valid document.
- Save hotel addresses and important destinations in both English and Chinese.
- Download offline copies of your itinerary, tickets and emergency contacts.
- Check whether your usual messaging, email, map and authentication services will work with your chosen connectivity arrangement.
- Do not keep every booking code behind a login that requires an unavailable phone number.
6. Prepare correctly for high-speed rail
Foreign travellers can use the China Railway 12306 English website or app. The passport or other valid document used to purchase the ticket is also used for identity verification when entering the station and boarding. Arrive with enough time for security and for a manual document channel if an automatic gate does not read the passport.
Official reference: China Railway 12306 English website.
7. Pack a first-day information set
- Passport and applicable visa or entry documentation
- First hotel name, address and telephone number
- Airport or railway transfer instructions
- Onward or return travel confirmation
- Local contact and emergency assistance details
- Travel insurance information
- One working payment method plus RMB cash backup
- Offline itinerary and key addresses in Chinese
- Any essential medicine in original packaging, with supporting documents where required
8. Recheck changing information shortly before departure
Review entry eligibility, port rules, flight or train schedules, payment-app requirements and destination conditions again close to departure. Screenshots and old social-media posts are not authoritative sources. Use official government, immigration, embassy, transport and service-provider channels.
A practical planning timeline
- When confirming the trip: establish entry route, passport details and realistic itinerary.
- Several weeks before departure: complete bookings, insurance, payment setup and connectivity planning.
- One week before departure: download documents, reconfirm transfers and review official policy sources.
- Before leaving home: carry originals, offline copies, first-night address and payment backup.
How we support international travellers
Impression China Journeys coordinates private and multi-destination travel through a network of local destination experts. We help turn practical requirements into a workable route, provide arrival information and coordinate on-the-ground services. Immigration decisions remain with the relevant authorities, and travellers remain responsible for meeting entry requirements.
Continue with our China Travel Planning FAQ or see how we design a tailor-made China journey.
Ordinary-Passport Mutual Visa-Exemption Agreements
For the 29 countries whose comprehensive mutual agreements include ordinary passport holders, see our country-by-country mutual visa-exemption table. It records the applicable passport scope, stay limit and cumulative rule, including exceptions such as Mauritius, Belarus and San Marino.
Build a Route Within the 240-Hour Policy
See China 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: Rules and Practical Route Ideas for policy-safe frameworks covering Beijing, Shanghai–Jiangsu–Zhejiang, Xi’an and Shaanxi, and Hainan.