China visa and entry requirements

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says ordinary-passport holders of 50 countries, among them France, Germany, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the Republic of Korea, can enter without a visa for business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange and transit, staying no more than 30 days. China's National Immigration Administration says nationals of 57 countries, including the United States, Russia and the UK, can transit without a visa through any of 65 ports in 24 provinces on their way to a third country or region, staying in the permitted areas for up to 10 days.

Every fact on this page verified on or after: Sep 25, 2026· How this site works

Check requirements for your passport

Requirements differ by nationality. Select your passport above, or scan the full table below.

Visas & entry authorisations

Entry requirements

Passport validity

The Chinese Embassy in the US says visa applicants' passports must have more than 6 months of remaining validity and at least 2 blank visa pages. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says visa-free entrants need an ordinary passport valid for at least the duration of their intended stay in China.

At least 2 blank pages required. Compare every country

Verified Oct 3, 2026 · Source: cs.mfa.gov.cn (opens in a new tab) · gov.uk (opens in a new tab) says 6 months after arrival for all entrants. We follow the source above: it ranks higher (law, then the authority running the procedure, then the destination's ministry, then international compilations, then other governments' advice).Compare every country: How long your passport must be valid, country by country

Vaccinations

Conditional
  • Yellow fever (ICVP) — WHO's country list says China requires proof of yellow fever vaccination from travellers aged 9 months or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, and from travellers who transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of such a country.

Travel insurance

Not officially stated

No official source we could read states a travel-insurance requirement for China. The UK Foreign Office says healthcare is not free in China and can be very expensive, and to make sure you have appropriate travel and medical insurance covering healthcare and medical evacuation and repatriation.

Verified Oct 4, 2026 · Source: gov.uk (opens in a new tab)

Onward or return ticket

Required

China's National Immigration Administration says visa-free transit passengers need an onward ticket with a confirmed date and itinerary to a third country or region. For visa-free visitors, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends taking documents such as invitation letters, air tickets and accommodation reservations as proof corresponding to the purpose of entry. Canada's travel advice says to be prepared to show proof of onward travel.

Proof of funds

Not officially stated

No official source we could read states a proof-of-funds requirement or amount. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says visa-free entry is subject to examination and approval by border inspection authorities, and recommends taking documents such as invitation letters, air tickets and accommodation reservations as proof corresponding to the purpose of entry.

Staying past your permitted stay

Fine: 500 CNY per day, at most 10,000 CNY

A foreigner who resides in China illegally is given a warning. In serious cases the foreigner is fined RMB 500 for each day of illegal residence, up to RMB 10,000 in total, or detained for 5 to 15 days. Repatriated persons may not enter China for one to five years from the date of repatriation.

Registering your presence after arrival

Required

within 24 hours of arrival. Done by the accommodation or the traveller.

Hotels register foreign guests and send the registration data to the local police. A foreigner staying anywhere other than a hotel must register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival, in person or through the host. If this is not done, a warning is given and a fine of up to RMB 2,000 may also be imposed. Hotels that fail to send the data are given a warning; in serious cases they are fined RMB 1,000 to 5,000.

If not done: Persons who fail to register a stay outside a hotel: warning, and a fine of up to RMB 2,000 may also be imposed. Hotels that fail to submit foreigners' registration data to the police: warning; in serious cases a fine of RMB 1,000 to 5,000.

Other compulsory government charges

  • Civil Aviation Development Fund (民航发展基金) — 70 CNY per person per trip. Included in the air ticket.

    Passengers pay the Civil Aviation Development Fund: CNY 50 per person per domestic flight and CNY 70 per person per international or regional flight. The airline or sales agent collects it when the ticket is bought. Passengers departing on international or regional flights with a diplomatic passport, and children aged 12 or under, are exempt.

    Exemptions: Passengers departing on international or regional flights with a diplomatic passport; children aged 12 or under.

Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: caac.gov.cn (opens in a new tab) · Interim Measures on the Collection and Use of the Civil Aviation Development Fund (Cai…Compare every country: Compulsory government charges beyond the visa, country by country

Customs & currency

No official source we could read states China's cash-declaration threshold: the customs page we cite could not be read.

  • Canada's travel advice says Chinese immigration officials will take and retain the fingerprints of travellers between 14 and 70 years old on entry, and that some exceptions may apply.
  • Canada's travel advice says there are absolute prohibitions against importing arms, drugs and plant or animal products that could carry disease or pests, and restrictions on the entry of printed material, film, photos, videotapes and CDs considered detrimental to China's interests.
  • The UK Foreign Office says the import, possession and use of drones and drone components are strictly regulated, and to contact the Civil Aviation Administration of China before travel for the latest rules on registration and use.

Yellow fever certificate

WHO's country list says China requires proof of yellow fever vaccination from travellers aged 9 months or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, and from travellers who transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of such a country.

The 42 countries WHO lists as a yellow fever risk

Requirements normally count any country you have been in shortly before arrival, not only where you boarded.

  • Angola
  • Argentina — Misiones and Corrientes Provinces
  • Benin
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cameroon
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Colombia
  • Côte d'Ivoire
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Ecuador
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Ethiopia
  • French Guiana
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Guyana
  • Kenya
  • Liberia
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Suriname
  • Togo
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Uganda
  • Venezuela
Compiled Aug 26, 2026 · Source: cdn.who.int (opens in a new tab) · International Health Regulations (2005), Article 36

International Health Regulations (2005), Article 36 and Annex 7; WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1, 18 November 2022 (revised 3 January 2023)

Country in a nutshell

Currency
Chinese yuan (renminbi) (CNY, ¥)
Cards & payments
The UK Foreign Office says cashless payments through smartphone apps such as WeChat or Alipay are almost universal, and that outside major cities credit cards are not always accepted and ATMs are limited. Canada's travel advice says major Chinese platforms allow foreign travellers to link an international credit card, that international credit cards are accepted in many hotels and larger establishments but not universally, and that it is illegal to use foreign currency for everyday transactions.
Safety — Exercise caution
The UK Foreign Office says serious crime against foreign nationals is relatively rare, but incidents can happen; Canada says petty crime such as pickpocketing, purse snatching and theft of mobile phones occurs and that criminals target foreigners, especially in major cities and tourist areas. The UK says that if you are involved in or connected to a business or civil dispute, the Chinese authorities may impose an exit ban.Verified Oct 3, 2026 · Source: gov.uk (opens in a new tab) · archived copy Aug 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Power plugs
A, I · 220V 50Hz
Emergency numbers
Police: 110 · Ambulance: 120 · Fire: 119 · Traffic police: 122
Languages
Mandarin Chinese
Time zone
UTC+8
International Driving Permit

China's Ministry of Public Security regulations on driving licences (Order No. 162, art. 21, published in the State Council Gazette) say that a holder of a foreign driving licence who needs to drive temporarily must apply to a vehicle administration office for a temporary driving permit; a person entering for a short stay can obtain one valid for three months, and for a stay longer than three months its validity can be extended to one year.

Verified Oct 10, 2026 · Source: gov.cn (opens in a new tab) · Ministry of Public Security Order No. 162 (2021) Compare every country
Tap water
not for drinking. Use bottled

Best time to visit

No official source we could read gives a best time to visit China. The UK Foreign Office says the typhoon season in China normally runs from May to November, affecting southern and eastern coastal regions.

Tips & warnings

Canada's travel advice says major Chinese platforms allow foreign travellers to link an international credit card and pay by scanning QR codes in shops, restaurants, taxis and on public transport, and advises following the platform's official setup instructions; the UK Foreign Office says cashless payments through apps such as WeChat or Alipay are almost universal.

The UK Foreign Office and Canada say you must register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival. Hotels register you at check-in; Canada says those staying with family or friends in a private home must register themselves, and that failure to do so can result in fines and or detention.

The UK Foreign Office says the Chinese authorities control internet access and that some services are permanently blocked, including Google, Facebook, YouTube and X, while other websites may sometimes be blocked. It says China's cybersecurity laws state that online products and services such as VPNs need to be licensed by the Chinese government.

China's National Immigration Administration says nationals of 57 countries, including the US, Mexico and Indonesia, holding an onward ticket with a confirmed date and itinerary to a third country or region, can enter without a visa at any of 65 open ports in 24 provinces and stay in the permitted areas for up to 10 days.

Visa requirements by nationality

Visa requirements by nationality. Stay lengths are for ordinary tourist visits. Click a nationality for its full guide.
PassportsVisas & entry authorisationsMax stay
AfghanistanEmbassy visa—
AlbaniaVisa-free30 days
AlgeriaEmbassy visa—
AndorraVisa-free30 days
AngolaEmbassy visa—
Antigua and BarbudaVisa-free30 days
ArgentinaVisa-free30 days
ArmeniaVisa-free30 days
AustraliaVisa-free30 days
AustriaVisa-free30 days
AzerbaijanVisa-free30 days
BahamasVisa-free30 days
BahrainVisa-free30 days
BangladeshEmbassy visa—
BarbadosVisa-free30 days
BelarusVisa-free30 days
BelgiumVisa-free30 days
BelizeEmbassy visa—
BeninEmbassy visa—
BhutanEmbassy visa—
BoliviaEmbassy visa—
Bosnia and HerzegovinaVisa-free30 days
BotswanaEmbassy visa—
BrazilVisa-free30 days
BruneiVisa-free30 days
BulgariaVisa-free30 days
Burkina FasoEmbassy visa—
BurundiEmbassy visa—
Cabo VerdeEmbassy visa—
CambodiaEmbassy visa—
CameroonEmbassy visa—
CanadaVisa-free30 days
Central African RepublicEmbassy visa—
ChadEmbassy visa—
ChileVisa-free30 days
ChinaFree movement—
ColombiaEmbassy visa—
ComorosEmbassy visa—
Costa RicaEmbassy visa—
Côte d'IvoireEmbassy visa—
CroatiaVisa-free30 days
CubaEmbassy visa—
CyprusVisa-free30 days
CzechiaEmbassy visa—
Democratic Republic of the CongoEmbassy visa—
DenmarkVisa-free30 days
DjiboutiEmbassy visa—
DominicaEmbassy visa—
Dominican RepublicEmbassy visa—
EcuadorVisa-free30 days
EgyptEmbassy visa—
El SalvadorEmbassy visa—
Equatorial GuineaEmbassy visa—
EritreaEmbassy visa—
EstoniaVisa-free30 days
EswatiniEmbassy visa—
EthiopiaEmbassy visa—
FijiVisa-free30 days
FinlandVisa-free30 days
FranceVisa-free30 days
GabonEmbassy visa—
GambiaEmbassy visa—
GeorgiaVisa-free30 days
GermanyVisa-free30 days
GhanaEmbassy visa—
GreeceVisa-free30 days
GrenadaVisa-free30 days
GuatemalaEmbassy visa—
GuineaEmbassy visa—
Guinea-BissauEmbassy visa—
GuyanaEmbassy visa—
HaitiEmbassy visa—
HondurasEmbassy visa—
Hong KongTravel permit (not a visa)—
HungaryVisa-free30 days
IcelandVisa-free30 days
IndiaEmbassy visa—
IndonesiaEmbassy visa—
IranEmbassy visa—
IraqEmbassy visa—
IrelandVisa-free30 days
IsraelEmbassy visa—
ItalyVisa-free30 days
JamaicaEmbassy visa—
JapanVisa-free30 days
JordanEmbassy visa—
KazakhstanVisa-free30 days
KenyaEmbassy visa—
KiribatiEmbassy visa—
KosovoEmbassy visa—
KuwaitVisa-free30 days
KyrgyzstanEmbassy visa—
LaosEmbassy visa—
LatviaVisa-free30 days
LebanonEmbassy visa—
LesothoEmbassy visa—
LiberiaEmbassy visa—
LibyaEmbassy visa—
LiechtensteinVisa-free30 days
LithuaniaEmbassy visa—
LuxembourgVisa-free30 days
MacauTravel permit (not a visa)—
MadagascarEmbassy visa—
MalawiEmbassy visa—
MalaysiaVisa-free30 days
MaldivesVisa-free30 days
MaliEmbassy visa—
MaltaVisa-free30 days
Marshall IslandsEmbassy visa—
MauritaniaEmbassy visa—
MauritiusVisa-free30 days
MexicoEmbassy visa—
MicronesiaEmbassy visa—
MoldovaEmbassy visa—
MonacoVisa-free30 days
MongoliaEmbassy visa—
MontenegroVisa-free30 days
MoroccoEmbassy visa—
MozambiqueEmbassy visa—
MyanmarEmbassy visa—
NamibiaEmbassy visa—
NauruEmbassy visa—
NepalEmbassy visa—
NetherlandsVisa-free30 days
New ZealandVisa-free30 days
NicaraguaEmbassy visa—
NigerEmbassy visa—
NigeriaEmbassy visa—
North KoreaEmbassy visa—
North MacedoniaVisa-free30 days
NorwayVisa-free30 days
OmanVisa-free30 days
PakistanEmbassy visa—
PalauEmbassy visa—
PalestineEmbassy visa—
PanamaEmbassy visa—
Papua New GuineaEmbassy visa—
ParaguayEmbassy visa—
PeruVisa-free30 days
PhilippinesEmbassy visa—
PolandVisa-free30 days
PortugalVisa-free30 days
QatarVisa-free30 days
Republic of the CongoEmbassy visa—
RomaniaVisa-free30 days
RussiaVisa-free30 days
RwandaEmbassy visa—
Saint Kitts and NevisEmbassy visa—
Saint LuciaEmbassy visa—
Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesEmbassy visa—
SamoaVisa-free30 days
San MarinoVisa-free30 days
São Tomé and PríncipeEmbassy visa—
Saudi ArabiaVisa-free30 days
SenegalEmbassy visa—
SerbiaVisa-free30 days
SeychellesVisa-free30 days
Sierra LeoneEmbassy visa—
SingaporeVisa-free30 days
SlovakiaVisa-free30 days
SloveniaVisa-free30 days
Solomon IslandsVisa-free30 days
SomaliaEmbassy visa—
South AfricaEmbassy visa—
South KoreaVisa-free30 days
South SudanEmbassy visa—
SpainVisa-free30 days
Sri LankaEmbassy visa—
SudanEmbassy visa—
SurinameVisa-free30 days
SwedenVisa-free30 days
SwitzerlandVisa-free30 days
SyriaEmbassy visa—
TaiwanTravel permit (not a visa)—
TajikistanEmbassy visa—
TanzaniaEmbassy visa—
ThailandVisa-free30 days
Timor-LesteEmbassy visa—
TogoEmbassy visa—
TongaVisa-free30 days
Trinidad and TobagoEmbassy visa—
TunisiaEmbassy visa—
TurkeyEmbassy visa—
TurkmenistanEmbassy visa—
TuvaluEmbassy visa—
UgandaEmbassy visa—
UkraineEmbassy visa—
United Arab EmiratesVisa-free30 days
United KingdomVisa-free30 days
United StatesEmbassy visa—
UruguayVisa-free30 days
UzbekistanVisa-free30 days
VanuatuEmbassy visa—
Vatican CityEmbassy visa—
VenezuelaEmbassy visa—
VietnamEmbassy visa—
YemenEmbassy visa—
ZambiaEmbassy visa—
ZimbabweEmbassy visa—

Stay lengths are for ordinary tourist visits. Click a nationality for its full guide.

Afghanistan1 of 199 passports visa-free · 2 eVisa/ETABhutan1 of 199 passports visa-free · 195 eVisa/ETAIndia4 of 199 passports visa-free · 165 eVisa/ETAKazakhstan87 of 199 passports visa-free · 90 eVisa/ETAKyrgyzstan79 of 199 passports visa-free · 117 eVisa/ETALaos17 of 199 passports visa-free · 145 eVisa/ETAMyanmar12 of 199 passports visa-free · 92 eVisa/ETAMongolia68 of 199 passports visa-free · 129 eVisa/ETANepal2 of 199 passports visa-freeNorth Korea1 of 199 passports visa-freePakistan7 of 199 passports visa-free · 186 eVisa/ETARussia69 of 199 passports visa-free · 60 eVisa/ETATajikistan93 of 199 passports visa-free · 50 eVisa/ETAVietnam27 of 199 passports visa-free · 159 eVisa/ETAJapan75 of 199 passports visa-free · 3 eVisa/ETASouth Korea23 of 199 passports visa-free · 88 eVisa/ETA

Frequently asked questions

Do US citizens need a visa for China?

The United States is not among the 50 countries whose ordinary-passport holders China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists for visa-free entry. The Chinese Embassy in the US charges US citizens USD 140 for a single-entry visa. US nationals travelling on to a third country or region can instead use the visa-free transit scheme, which China's National Immigration Administration says allows a stay of up to 10 days in the permitted areas.

Which nationalities can visit China visa-free?

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists 50 countries whose ordinary-passport holders can come to China without a visa for business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange and transit, staying no more than 30 days. They include Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and other European countries, Switzerland, Ireland, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Brazil and Russia. The ministry says the waiver for Brunei has no expiry date, the one for Russia remains in effect until 31 December 2027, and those for the other 48 countries until 31 December 2026.

How does China's 240-hour visa-free transit work?

China's National Immigration Administration says nationals of 57 countries, including the US, the UK, Canada and Mexico, holding their own ordinary passport and an onward ticket with a confirmed date and itinerary to a third country or region, can enter without a visa at any of 65 open ports in 24 provinces and stay in the permitted areas for up to 10 days.

Can I pay with my foreign card in China?

Canada's travel advice says international credit cards are accepted in many hotels and larger establishments but not universally, and that major Chinese platforms allow foreign travellers to link an international credit card and pay by scanning QR codes. The UK Foreign Office says outside major cities credit cards are not always accepted and ATMs are limited.

Do I have to register with the police in China?

The UK Foreign Office, in its advice for people travelling on a full British citizen passport, and Canada say you must register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival. Hotels register you at check-in; Canada says those staying with family or friends in a private home must register themselves, and that failure to do so can result in fines and or detention.

How much does a Chinese tourist visa cost?

The Chinese Embassy and Consulates-General in the US list USD 140 for US citizens. For non-US citizens applying in the US, the reduced fees in force until 31 December 2026 are USD 23 single entry, 34 double, 45 for multiple entries over 6 months and 68 for multiple entries over 12 months or more; express service adds USD 25 per visa. The embassy notes that fees for certain non-US citizens vary. Its application requirements (updated September 2025) give processing in the US as 4 business days for regular service and 3 for express. No official source we could read states the fee or processing time for applications made elsewhere.

Sources & verification

Every fact on this page is compiled from and periodically re-checked against these official sources:

Something wrong or out of date? Tell us, with the official source