Link:https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202505/22/content_WS682e6113c6d0868f4e8f2b86.html is the original official Q&A page from the Chinese government about China’s visa-free policies. China Travel Help Desk helps you understand its key points quickly and accurately.

Who can enjoy this type of visa-free policy?

This Q&A mentions that eligible countries include 43 countries such as ：
（On this page, use ‘Ctrl+F’ to open the search box, then enter your country’s name to quickly check if it is on the list.）

• Europe (approx. 35 countries):

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

• Oceania (2 countries):

Australia, New Zealand

• Asia (7 countries):

Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Saudi Arabia

• Americas (6 countries):

Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Uruguay Some Latin American countries became eligible starting from June 1, 2025.

• Additional note: The current policy has been extended to December 31, 2026.The five Latin American countries specifically applicable from June 1, 2025 are: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay.

Before using this policy, it is best to check again whether your country is still on the latest list, because the visa-free country list and effective dates may change.

What can you come to China for?

The visa-free policy mainly applies to the following purposes:

• Tourism
• Business
• Visiting family or friends
• Exchange
• Transit

If you are coming to China for work, study, journalistic activities, or similar activities that require special permission, you cannot enter under this type of visa-free policy. You need to apply for the appropriate visa in advance.

Do you need to declare in advance to a Chinese embassy or consulate?

No. Foreigners who meet the visa-free requirements do not need to declare in advance to Chinese embassies or consulates before entering China without a visa.

What are the passport requirements?

You need to hold a valid ordinary passport, and the passport should be valid for at least the entire period of your planned stay in China. Temporary travel documents, emergency documents, or other travel documents other than ordinary passports do not apply.

How are the 30 days calculated?

The 30 days are not counted from the day of entry. They are counted continuously as 30 calendar days starting from the day after entry.

Can you travel to China from a third country?

Yes. As long as you meet the visa-free requirements, you do not have to depart from your country of nationality. You can also travel to China from another country or region.

Can you only enter China by air?

This policy applies to entry through seaports, land ports, and airports that are open to foreign nationals, unless otherwise specified by laws, regulations, or bilateral arrangements. If you enter China by private transport, the entry and exit procedures for the vehicle itself must be handled according to relevant Chinese regulations.

Does it apply to both tour groups and independent travelers?

Yes. Eligible foreigners can enjoy the visa-free policy whether they are traveling with a tour group or traveling independently.

What if you need to stay for more than 30 days?

If you plan from the beginning to stay in China for more than 30 days, you should apply for the appropriate visa in advance at a Chinese embassy or consulate.

If you have already entered China without a visa, but later need to stay for more than 30 days for sufficient and reasonable reasons, you should promptly apply for a stay permit with the exit and entry administration department of China’s public security authorities.

Can you enter China multiple times without a visa?

Yes, multiple entries are allowed. The official Q&A states that, at present, there are no restrictions on the number of visa-free entries, the interval between two entries, or the total number of days of stay.

Examples

Example 1:

A French family of four is planning a 12-day trip to China.

The family includes the 40-year-old father, 39-year-old mother, their 5-month-old baby boy, and their 12-year-old daughter. They all hold valid ordinary passports and will fly from Paris to Shanghai, then visit Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Beijing.

Since France is one of the countries covered by China’s unilateral visa-free policy, and they’re coming for tourism with a stay of only 12 days (well under 30 days), they can enter China visa-free.

Important note about the baby:

Even the 5-month-old infant needs his own separate passport. Chinese immigration requires every traveler, no matter how young, to have their own individual passport — you can’t just add them to a parent’s passport.

Recommended documents to carry:

• The baby’s original birth certificate (or a notarized copy, preferably in English or bilingual);
• Copies of both parents’ passports;
• Documents proving the parent-child relationship;
• Return flight tickets, hotel bookings, and a simple itinerary.

Helpful tip: Make sure the baby’s passport is valid for at least another 3 to 6 months. There are no special visa rules for infants, and if you prepare the relationship documents properly, immigration officers usually won’t ask too many questions.

Example 2:

A Malaysian visitor comes to China to work for 20 days

A Malaysian national holds an ordinary passport and plans to come to China to formally work for a company for 20 days. Although Malaysia is on the visa-free list, “work” is not a permitted purpose under the visa-free policy. He or she must apply for a work visa, known as a Z visa, in advance.

Department to contact:
Chinese Visa Application Service Center at the Chinese Embassy / Consulate in Malaysia

Official website:
https://www.visaforchina.cn/
Please choose the local center in Malaysia.

Reference:
The Chinese Visa Application Service Center is the official platform for Chinese visa applications in Malaysia.
Chinese Visa Application Service Center — Kuala Lumpur

Example 3:

An Australian tourist comes to China for a 25-day trip

An Australian tourist holds an ordinary passport and enters China through Shanghai. On the 23rd day, the traveler is hospitalized for emergency appendicitis surgery. In this situation, the traveler should apply for a stay extension in time.

Department to contact:
Local Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Public Security Bureau

For example: Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of Shanghai Public Security Bureau, or the exit-entry administration office in the city where the traveler is staying.

Reference:
China’s National Immigration Administration provides official guidance on visa extension, replacement, and reissuance for foreigners.
Guide on Visa Extension, Replacement and Reissuance for Foreigners

Example 4:

A German traveler enters China multiple times

A German traveler holds a valid ordinary passport and visits China three times in one year: first for tourism in Shanghai and Chengdu, then for a short business exhibition in Guangzhou, and later to visit friends in Beijing.

Each stay is under 30 days, and each purpose — tourism, business, and visiting friends — falls within the permitted visa-free purposes. In this case, multiple visa-free entries may be allowed.

However, the traveler should not use repeated visa-free entries to stay in China long-term or to work in China. If the real purpose is work, study, journalism, or another activity requiring special permission, the traveler should apply for the appropriate visa in advance.