Do I need a visa for China?

China Visa Check Guide for Foreign Travelers

Planning a trip to Mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau? This free tool answers the most common question overseas visitors face: "Do I need a China visa?" Enter your nationality and the ports you'll enter and leave from, and get an instant, per-leg breakdown of whether you qualify for visa-free entry — plus the exact rules, allowed regions and documents to bring.

1. Unilateral visa-free entry (up to 30 days)

Citizens of about 55 countries — including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Brazil and others — can enter Mainland China without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, business or family visits. The list is periodically updated by the National Immigration Administration (NIA).

2. 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free — TWOV

If you are transiting through China to a third country or region, nationals of 55 countries (including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and most EU states) can stay up to 240 hours (10 days) visa-free. Enter via one of 65 eligible ports (major international airports and select high-speed rail / cruise ports), and you can travel freely across 24 approved provinces / regions. Note: Hong Kong and Macau count as a "third region" for this purpose.

3. Hainan 30-day visa-free

Nationals of 59 countries can enter Hainan Province (including Haikou and Sanya) visa-free for up to 30 days, when received by a licensed local travel agency. Entry and exit must be through Hainan ports; you cannot leave the island for other Chinese provinces under this policy.

4. Hong Kong and Macau — independent immigration

Both Hong Kong and Macau operate their own visa policies, separate from Mainland China. Roughly 170 nationalities enjoy visa-free entry to Hong Kong (from 7 to 180 days). Macau's list is similar but slightly different. Even with a valid China visa, you may still need a separate document (e.g., pre-arrival registration for Indian citizens) for Hong Kong.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 240-hour transit visa-free free of charge?

Yes. There is no visa fee. You only need a passport valid for 6+ months and a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region within 10 days.

Can I use 240h TWOV to visit Tibet or Xinjiang?

No. TWOV covers 24 approved provinces / regions only. Tibet, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Qinghai and Ningxia are excluded. If your itinerary includes those regions, apply for a regular tourist visa.

Does Hong Kong count as a third country for transit visa-free?

Yes. Hong Kong and Macau are treated as a "third region," so a flight itinerary such as USA → Beijing → Hong Kong → USA qualifies for 240-hour transit visa-free in the mainland segment.

Is the policy data on this site current?

Policies are refreshed by an automated crawler that monitors the National Immigration Administration and consular service websites daily. Always verify with the nearest Chinese embassy / consulate before you travel.