In recent times, in order to further promote personnel exchanges between China and foreign countries, China has expanded the scope and reasons for visa-free countries, optimized the transit visa exemption policy, simplified visa procedures, and expanded measures to reduce visa fees.
Latest policies for foreigners The shipments arriving in China are summarized below:
- Further expand the scope of visa-free countries and optimize entry policies
- China's transit visa exemption policy is made more flexible and optimized in an all-round way
China's visa exemption policy for foreigners entering China
Holders of ordinary passports from these countries, including Spain, will be able to enter China without a visa for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit for no more than 30 days. Those who do not meet the visa exemption requirements must still apply for a Chinese visa before entering the country.
Holders of ordinary passports from these countries will be able to enter China without a visa (continuous updates):
| Continent | Countries |
|---|---|
| Europe (35 Countries) | France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovenia, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Russia, Sweden, United Kingdom |
| Asia (7 Countries) | Brunei, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain |
| Oceania (2 Countries) | Australia, New Zealand |
| South America (6 Countries) | Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Canada |
China's transit visa exemption policy is made more flexible and optimized in an all-round way
From December 17, 2024, China will comprehensively relax and optimize its transit visa exemption policy, extending the period of stay of foreigners in China from 72 hours and 144 hours originals to 240 hours (10 days) and adding 21 new ports of entry and exit for visa-free transit passengers, and further expanding the areas of stay and activity. Eligible citizens from 54 countries including Spain who are in transit through China to a third country (region) can travel to China without a visa from any of the 60 open ports in 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) and stay in designated areas for activities for no more than 20 days.
Click here to see the list of countries and relevant areas where you can stay.
Visa exemption policy for regional entry of foreigners
Visa exemption policies for regional entry of foreigners into China mainly include:
Visa exemption policy for foreigners in groups from Hong Kong and Macao regions to Guangdong
Citizens of countries that maintain diplomatic relations with China and hold ordinary passports can enter nine mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area and Shantou City for tourism purposes without a visa after arrival in Hong Kong or Macao regions, provided that they are part of a tour group organized by a travel agency registered in Hong Kong or Macao. The eligible areas include Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhaoqing, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Huizhou, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Shantou. The border ports of entry and exit must be the border ports opening to the outside of the above-mentioned 10 cities, and the stay time must not exceed 144 hours, entering and leaving China as a group.
Visa exemption policy for ASEAN countries tour groups to Guilin, Guangxi
ASEAN countries' tour groups (2 or more persons, with ordinary passports), organized and hosted by domestic travel agencies, can enter and leave China without a visa through the Guilin Liangjiang International Airport border crossing. The available area is limited to the administrative area of Guilin City of Guangxi, and the stay time should not exceed 144 hours, entering and leaving as a group.
ASEAN countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia
Visa exemption policy for ASEAN countries tour groups to Xishuangbanna, Yunnan
According to Visa exemption policy for ASEAN countries' tour groups to Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, starting from February 10, 2025, tour groups of two or more ordinary passport holders from ASEAN countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia can enter and exit China without a visa via Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport, Mohan Railway Port, and Mohan Highway Port, as long as they are arranged by travel agencies in China and follow the “group entry and exit” arrangement. Please note that the trip is limited to the administrative region of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province, and the stay must not exceed six days, with the duration starting at midnight the day after entry. Those who are eligible under bilateral visa exemption agreements with China or China’s unilateral visa exemption policy can follow the applicable regulations.
ASEAN countries: Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia
Visa exemption policy for foreign tourist groups entering China on cruise ships
Foreign tour groups (2 or more people) arriving by cruise ships and hosted and received by travel agencies within Chinese territory can enter as a group without a visa through the cruise ship border ports of 13 cities: Tianjin, Dalian (Liaoning), Shanghai, Lianyungang (Jiangsu), Wenzhou and Zhoushan (Zhejiang), Xiamen (Fujian), Qingdao (Shandong), Guangzhou and Shenzhen (Guangdong), Beihai (Guangxi), Haikou and Sanya (Hainan). The groups must stay with the same cruise ship until the next port, until the cruise ship leaves Chinese territory. The stay in China must not exceed 15 days, and the available areas are limited to 11 coastal provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly dependent on the Central Government): Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan, in addition to the municipality of Beijing.
Visa exemption policy for foreigners entering Chinese territory to Hainan
From February 9, 2024, citizens of 59 countries including Spain can enter Hainan without a visa for tourism, business, visits, family reunions, medical care, exhibitions, sports competitions, etc. (except for work and study purposes), and can stay for up to 30 days.
People holding ordinary passports from these 59 countries can enter Hainan, China without a visa:
Russia, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Norway, Ukraine, Italy, Austria, Finland, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Monaco, Belarus.
Enabling online Chinese visa application
Applicants can apply for a Chinese visa by choosing the corresponding region through the website of the China Visa Application Service Center, and enjoy the convenience of completing forms and uploading application materials online.
MY SON IS MEXICAN AND WANTS TO ACCOMPANY ME TO THE CANTON FAIR IN APRIL. DOES HE REQUIRE A VISA?
Hello! If you are from Mexico, you can enjoy the 240-hour visa-free transit policyThis means you can enter China with these three requirements: a passport, an outbound plane ticket, and a visa for third countries.