China's visa-free policies allow nationals of certain countries, including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, to travel to China for stays ranging from 24 hours to 180 days without obtaining a visa if certain requirements are met.
Full Answer
What countries can travel without visa?
Visa free countries
- Americas
- Europe
- Africa
- Asia
- Oceania. This data has been sourced from Wikipedia and last updated 11/1/2021.
Can I visit China without a tourist visa?
You’re in luck. As of January 1, 2016, China has allowed foreigners to travel to and visit several cities in China without a formal visa for up to 144 hours, or six days.
Can I travel to China without a passport?
When transiting certain international airports, you may stay in mainland China without a Chinese visa. The duration of allowed stay and how broadly you may travel varies by region. Transiting without a visa requires a valid passport, a visa for your onward destination (if necessary), and an onward ticket from the same location.
What to know when traveling to China?
What This China Travel Guide Book Will Teach You:
- How to Apply for a Visa: What China visa do you need and are you eligible for China's visa-free transit?
- How to Prepare for Your Trip: Do you need vaccines? ...
- Money in China: Mobile payments are huge in China, but short-term travelers can't use it. ...
- How to Travel Within China: It's not about where to go, it's teaching you how to get there. ...
When Do I Need A Visa for China?
After checking the visa free policy of China, it’s clear that you are required to hold a China visa to enter China if they don’t meet any one situations above. You should know mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau own different visa regulations, and Tibet requires special travel document for tourism. So you need to apply for relevant visa based on your purpose, destination and duration of your visit to China.
How long does it take to get a visa for China?
The processing time differs from visa types. Normally, it takes about 4 to 5 business days for applicant to get a China Visa, and the accurate collection date will be noted on the pick-up slip. If you submit China Tourist Visa (L Visa) on Monday, you can pick up on Thursday. Check carefully the visa type, duration of stay, number of entries if they are issued correctly or not, after getting your passport back. Double check the validity when you plan to enter China, otherwise you will be denied entry.
What are the different types of Chinese visas?
Read different types of Chinese Visa to figure out which kind of visa you should apply for. Determine if you are suitable applicants for each visa type, by judging your purpose of visiting is for travel, business, work, transit, family reunion and etc or not. China Tourist Visa (L Visa) is for visitor going to China for tourism, F Visa is for exchanges, study tour, Business Visa (M Visa) is for commercial and trade, Student Visa (X Visa) is for studying in China. More Chinese Visa Types >>
How long can a US citizen stay in Hong Kong?
US, Australian, Canadian, Japanese Citizens can enter and visit Hong Kong for 90 days, British Citizens can stay for 180 days without a visa. Indian Citizens are required to submit application online and register themselves before entry, and then Indians can stay in Hong Kong visa free for 14 days.
Where can I stay without a visa?
for 6 days without a visa, or have a 3 days visa-free stay in Xian, Guilin, Chongqing, Harbin and else cities.
Can Russians travel to Amur?
Citizens of Amur Oblast, Russia can visit and stay in Heihe (prefecture-level city in Heilongjiang Province, Northeastern China) for 1 day without a visa, and Russians (at least 2 people) can visit Suifenhe (county-level city in Southeastern Heilongjiang) visa free for 15 days.
How many times can you stop in China?
You could stop in China multiple times, such as one time each way in a round-trip, as long as each and every time you are in transit from one country to another.
How long to stay in Seoul before flying to Vietnam?
Stay in Seoul 1 weeks before fly to Vietnam. We bought separate fly from lax to Seoul. Then Vietnam to Beijing then back Lax
Do I need a visa to visit Shekou?
I don’t see Shekou listed as one of the eligible ports of entry above. You might need a visa unless there’s some other policy that covers short visits by cruise passengers < 24 hours.
Can you have separate tickets in China?
Separate tickets are fine. If you have printouts of all your reservations then Chinese customs will let you in. But it's just going to be a hassle to explain the permissions to the airline, which will attempt to validate your visa before issuing a boarding pass. If they aren't already familiar with the extended transit policy then you'll need to point them to the rules in the TIMATIC system (see the note in the article above: the 24-hour transit rules are listed first, then 72-hours and then 144-hours).
How much does a Chinese visa cost?
The visa cost for the Chinese Tourist Visa is 140 USD. But first, you need to have your application confirmed for it. If you apply with iVisa, the cost of your Chinese 10-year Visa Application (necessary to obtain the visa) will depend on the processing time you choose. We have three options for you:
How long is the Chinese 10-year Tourist Visa valid for?
The Chinese Tourist Visa is valid for 10 years after issued. In addition, it is a Multiple Entry visa and allows a maximum stay of 60 days Per Entry.
What do I need to do next when I obtain the Chinese Application Form?
When you receive the Chinese online form (sent by us to your email), you need to follow the next steps:
What is a Chinese Group eVisa?
The Chinese Group eVisa is a tourist visa that is issued to tourist groups comprised of least 2 members traveling together both into and out of China. The Chinese Group eVisa is issued as a stand-alone document, not as a sticker on a passport, like the Chinese Tourist Visa.
What does it cost to obtain a Chinese Group eVisa?
The cost of your Chinese Group eVisa will depend on the processing time you choose. iVisa has three options too choose from:
How will I receive my Chinese Group eVisa?
Upon approval, we will send you the original via FedEx. We will also provide a PDF copy, sent via email, for your records. Note that you MUST present the original copy upon entry.
What is the most popular type of Chinese visa?
The most popular type of Chinese visa is the 10-year Tourist Visa (paper visa) and the Group eVisa. These visas are popular among US passport holders because it is not mandatory to go to the Chinese embassy anymore in order to issue them. iVisa is one of the few authorized companies that can handle appropriately the visa application for both ...
Will China Open Its Borders In 2022?
Since March 2020, China has temporarily suspended entry into the country for all foreigners. At present, most foreigners are still not allowed to enter China.
China's Current Entry Policy
Foreign nationals who meet the requirements of the above entry policy can enter China in accordance with China’s epidemic prevention regulations. Certain documents and a 14-day quarantine are required when entering the country.
China Quarantine Rules
Inbound travelers, whether vaccinated or not, are required to quarantine at a designated place. The length of quarantine depends on different cities' policies. These measures will change from time to time, depending on the local pandemic situation.
Are There Any Other Asian Countries Open for Traveling?
It has been two years since COVID-19 emerged, with almost every country affected by the pandemic. But more countries are deciding to safely reopen their borders to travelers once again, including several Asian countries.
Coronavirus Protection and Tips
The disease can spread from person to person. When someone coughs or sneezes, small liquid droplets spray from their nose or mouth, which may contain the COVID-19 virus.
Recommended Tours in China
After being in the travel industry for over 20 years and working with our customers around the globe, we have a lot of experience with handling situations such as viral outbreaks and natural disasters. We take measures to ensure you a safe and pleasant tour.
How many countries can US citizens visit without a visa in 2021?
Here is the list of 142 countries that US citizens can visit without a visa in 2021:
Which country does not accept US citizens?
Besides the countries and territories which ask for US citizens to have visas, there is one country which does not accept visitors. This country is North Korea which is currently not available to visit for US citizens or other countries.
How many countries can US citizens travel to?
US citizens are continuously looking for new places to travel and the US passport is quite powerful. In May 2018, US citizens could travel to 186 visa free countries. This means that there are very few visa requirements for US citizens.
Which country requires a 45 day passport?
Bermuda is the country which requires a 45 day validity once you enter, while Eritrea, Hong Kong, Macau, New Zealand, and South Africa require a 1 month passport validity once you arrive. Other countries do not have any limitations on the validity.
Which countries require passports to be valid for at least 4 months?
Countries that require your passport to be valid for at least 4 more months after you arrive are Micronesia and Zambia. Countries that require your passport to be valid for at least 3 months are:
Do you need a visa to travel to another country?
In addition, there are also some countries for which you will get a visa once you arrive there. Their policies require that as soon as you are in customs and border of these foreign countries, the authorities will stamp a visa on your passport. The validity of the visa will depend on how long you are planning to stay and the individual rules and regulations of the country you are visiting.
How long is a Chinese visa valid?
The new visa may only be valid for three months.
When will China ban travel?
Now you can only travel to China if you have a Chinese residence permit for work, personal matters, or reunion or a visa issued after March 28th, 2020.
How long do you quarantine in China?
For example, if you enter China at Guangzhou from Sydney on your way to Xi'an, you should quarantine in Guangzhou for 14 days. After your 14-day quarantine in Guangzhou (if your quarantine test results are normal), you could then head to Xi'an.
How long have foreigners been in China?
Foreigners who have been in Mainland China for all of the 21 days prior to their entry into Macau for the purpose of family reunification, work, study, important business events, or academic or professional activities.
When did China suspend entry?
In March 2020, China suspended entry into the country for all foreigners . For necessary or emergency entry into China, foreigners need to apply for a new visa at the Chinese Embassy.
When will China open its borders?
Optimistically, China may open its borders in early 2022. Foreign nationals currently in China can travel in China as long as they have the required documents including ID (usually passport) and a green health code. Recently [June 2021], there has been a rise in COVID-19 cases in Guangdong Province.
Is China back to normal?
Things in China have already gone back to normal, mostly. Occasionally, there are some regional cases, like in Nanjing and Zhangjiajie now [August 2021]. Timely measures have been taken to control the spread of the outbreaks.
What is the National Security Law in Hong Kong?
Since the imposition of the National Security Law on June 30, 2020, the PRC unilaterally and arbitrarily exercises police and security power in Hong Kong. The PRC has demonstrated an intention to use this authority to target a broad range of activities it defines as acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign entities. The National Security Law also covers offenses committed by non-Hong Kong residents or organizations outside of Hong Kong, which could subject U.S. citizens who have been publicly critical of the PRC to a heightened risk of arrest, detention, expulsion, or prosecution. PRC security forces, including the new Office for Safeguarding National Security, now operate in Hong Kong and are not subject to oversight by the Hong Kong judiciary.
Should citizens be aware of their surroundings?
U.S. citizens are strongly cautioned to be aware of their surroundings and avoid demonstrations.
Does the PRC recognize dual citizenship?
The PRC government does not recognize dual nationality. U.S.-PRC citizens and U.S. citizens of Chinese heritage may be subject to additional scrutiny and harassment, and the PRC government may prevent the U.S. Embassy from providing consular services.
How much does it cost to travel to China without a visa?
How to Travel to China Without a Visa. Obtaining a Chinese visa, or any visa for that matter, can be a pain in the butt and expensive. It’s currently $140 for a Chinese visa and the requirements for submitting an application can be tedious. For years, it’s been possible to travel to Hong Kong and Macau without a visa, ...
How long does it take to get a visa for China?
Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are all considered 3rd regions, so if you’re continuing on to one of these 3 locations, you may obtain a 72-hour visa on mainland China.
How long can you stay in Hainan without a visa?
Similarly, if you plan on visiting Hainan Island (considered to be mainland China), you can visit for up to 15 days without a visa. Unlike the Pearl River Delta region, though, visiting Hainan without a visa is limited to passport holders of certain countries.
How to get a 72 hour visa?
Inform the airline you’re flying with of your intention to obtain a 72-hour visa. This can be done at luggage drop-off or at the boarding gate. Fill out your arrival/departure card on the flight. Once you inform your airline of your intention they’ll either give you the card at the airport or on the flight.
How long can you stay in China?
72-hour Transit Visa. At certain airports in China, if you have an onward ticket to another destination, you can take advantage of a 72-hour transit visa. For example, if you’re flying from Los Angeles to Bangkok via Beijing, you can stay in Beijing for up to 72-hours before heading to Bangkok.
How many airports honor 72 hour transit visas?
In addition to Beijing, there are 17 other airports that currently honor the 72-hour transit visa. There are typically signs in the Chinese airports directing you to the 72-hour transit visa location, so if you don’t see that just ask around.
Eligible Nationalities
Ports of Entry
- Second, you must be entering one of these ports of entry. Entering the same region through another port of entry, such as a different airport, may not be allowed. For a 72-hour Stay: 1. Changsha Huanghua International Airport 2. Chongquing Jiangbei International Airport 3. Guilin Liangjiang International Airport 4. Harbin Taiping International Airport 5. Xi’an Xianyang Internati…
When Does The Clock Start?
- If you’re trying to maximize your time in China, the clock starts at midnight of the day following your arrival. For example, arriving at any time on December 31, the clock will start at midnight on January 1. That means December 31 is just extra “free” time. You have either 72 or 144 hours, which means you must leave by 23:59 (11:59 PM) on January 3 for a 72-hour transit pass or on …
Travel Requirements to/from China
- Remember that the name of this policy is “Transit Without Visa.” It’s designed to allow you to transit China while traveling from one country to another. It is not designed for travelers who make China their primary destination. You can still get away with this if you have a clever routing, but it helps to understand the policy’s intent. You must b...
Ticketing Requirements
- You can successfully use TWOV when you purchase separate tickets for your inbound and outbound journey. You might do this when you have award travel and book separate awards each way. However, it is your responsibility to make sure the itinerary falls within the rules. Print copies of all your ticket confirmation receipts and carry them with you to share with the airline and Chin…
Travel Requirements Within China
- Once in China, you cannot travel to other cities except in very limited circumstances. All visitors must arrive and depart by air, with one exception. 1. Visitors to Shanghai, Jiangsu (Nanjing), or Zhejiang (Hangzhou) may travel between these three cities. 2. Visitors to Changsha may travel anywhere within Hunan province. 3. Visitors to Guangzhou may travel anywhere within Guangdo…
Other Restrictions
- Don’t try to get clever and break the rules. China is a friendly place, but you are a guest and should not attempt to deceive the authorities. It can make you ineligible for future trips to China. The TWOV policy excludes people who meet any of these conditions: 1. Travel documents (i.e., passport) are valid for less than 3 months at the time of entry. 2. Chinese visa refusal stamps ar…