Complete list of countries that can visit China visa-free for 15 days

As of 3.10.2024, the following countries are eligible for the 15-day visa-free travel:

• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Cyprus
• Denmark
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Italy
• Luxembourg
• Malaysia
• the Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway 
• Poland
• Portugal 
• Slovenia 
• Spain
• Switzerland

No, you don't need to apply in advance. You can declare your intention to use the visa-free option upon arrival in China.

When you enter China without a visa, you can stay for 15 whole days. Your stay starts on the day you arrive and ends at midnight on the 15th day. You need to leave China before that time is up.

Here's an example to make it clearer:

Let's say you arrive in China on October 1st at 3:00 PM.

• October 1st is Day 1 of your stay.
• October 15th is Day 15 of your stay.

You must leave China by 11:59 PM on October 15th. If you stay even one minute past midnight (into October 16th), you'll be breaking the rules.

Remember, it doesn't matter what time you arrive on the first day - that whole day counts as Day 1. So arrive early to make the most of your time!

Yes, you can use this option as part of a longer trip, as long as you exit and re-enter China before the 15 days are up.

The easiest way to plan a trip around the visa-free policy is to include Hong Kong or Macau in your itinerary (if you are travelling south), or Laos (when traveling to Yunnan province) - both options are accessible with direct high-speed rail connection.

You can also exit to Kazakhstan when traveling the far west on the Silk Roads itinerary, but it is more complicated.

You can always also fly in and out of the country, but in that case it might be easier to just apply for the visa.

While we weren't asked for additional documents, it's advisable to have:

• A valid passport
• Proof of onward travel (e.g., train or flight tickets leaving China)
• Hotel reservations
• A general itinerary of your planned destinations in China

Yes, you'll need to fill out a standard landing card. Make sure to mark that you're traveling visa-free for tourism purposes, and list your intended destinations and accommodation.

All airports and land border crossings are eligible to take advantage of the policy.

Enter/exit is not limited to aviation - you can enter by train, boat or plane.

Yes! There is no limitation on the number of stays during your journey.

It is worth noting that traveling to Hong Kong or Macau is considered exiting Mainland China so if you include one of those destinations as part of your trip, you can "extend" the visa-free travel period.

We exited and re-entered by land in Hong Kong, without any problems.

Yes, both children and adults can take advantage of the policy.

No, currently there is no limit of overall time spent in China.

While we were at no time asked about our onwards travel, it is advisable to have proof of onwards travel, if you have it booked.

Standard Procedure: For stays exceeding 15 days, visitors are required to obtain an appropriate visa from a Chinese embassy or consulate prior to their journey.

Emergency Extension: In the event of unforeseen circumstances necessitating an extended stay beyond the 15-day limit, visitors may apply for a temporary stay permit. This application must be submitted to the local Exit and Entry Administration of the Public Security Bureau before the expiration of the 15-day visa-free period.

Important Notes:

1. Extensions are not guaranteed and are granted solely at the discretion of Chinese authorities.
2. Substantial evidence supporting the need for an extended stay must be provided.
3. It is strongly advised to plan trips within the 15-day limit to avoid potential legal complications.
4. Overstaying the 15-day period without proper authorization may result in serious consequences, including fines, detention, or future entry restrictions.

Travelers are urged to carefully consider their itinerary and travel plans to ensure compliance with visa-free entry regulations.