Coming to China
Visa & entry
Three tracks: which one are you on?
Before anything else, determine which entry track applies to you. Most visitors from Europe, the UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and South Korea are on Track A and can enter without a visa for up to 30 days. Nationalities not on that list usually qualify for 240-hour transit (Track B) or need a visa (Track C).
| Track A — 30-day visa-free | Track B — 240h transit | Track C — Visa required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | ~50 countries incl. EU, UK, Canada, AU/NZ, JP/KR, Brazil | 55 countries incl. US | Everyone else |
| Length | 30 days per entry | 10 days (240 hours) | As stamped |
| Onward ticket required | No | Yes — confirmed seat to a 3rd country | N/A |
| Extendable inside China | No | No | Possible |
| Valid until | 2026-12-31 (NIA) | Ongoing, 65 ports | N/A |
Track A: 30-day visa-free — what it allows and doesn't
The 30-day clock starts from midnight of the day after entry, not the moment you land. Multiple entries each reset the counter. You may not work for pay, study for a degree, work as an accredited journalist, or proselytize. You cannot extend inside China or convert to a work/student visa — you must exit and re-apply abroad.
Older guides may show Canada as requiring a visa. Both the UK and Canada joined the 30-day list on 17 February 2026. Russia's bilateral pilot runs to 14 September 2026.
Track B: 240-hour transit — the fine print
You need a confirmed-seat onward ticket to a third country or territory — Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan all count as third destinations. The ticket must not be a return: NYC → Beijing → NYC is disqualified. You are restricted to the geographic zone of your entry port (e.g. entering via Shanghai confines you to the Yangtze Delta region); crossing into a different zone is illegal residence.
- A round-trip ticket (A → China → A) does not qualify — you need a genuine third destination
- You cannot leave your entry-port zone (e.g. Shanghai transit cannot include Beijing)
- Overstaying even one day triggers fines of ¥500/day and can result in a multi-year ban
Track C: applying for a visa
Tourist (L), business (M), work (Z), and student (X) visas are issued at Chinese embassies and consulates. Since January 2024, most L-visa applications no longer require hotel bookings or invitation letters. Fingerprint biometrics are waived for short-stay visas (≤180 days) through 31 December 2026. Note: 'China Travel' is not a visa type — it refers to the entry stamp you receive at the border.
CDAC arrival card and customs limits
All arrivals must complete the CDAC digital arrival card within 72 hours before landing (replaces paper forms since November 2025). At customs, declare: cash or equivalents over USD 5,000; more than 400 cigarettes or 1.5 L alcohol; prescription medications over 12 boxes / 36-day supply; drones (require a flight permit); any prohibited items.
| Item | Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cash / foreign currency | Declare if >USD 5,000 equivalent | CNY and foreign cash both count |
| Cigarettes | 400 sticks | Personal use |
| Alcohol | 1.5 L | Standard spirits |
| Prescription medicine | ≤12 boxes, ≤36-day supply | Original packaging + doctor letter recommended |
| Drone | Any | Must have a flight permit |
| Drugs / narcotics | Zero tolerance | Includes CBD, codeine cough syrup, Adderall, Sudafed |
Hong Kong, Macau, and Tibet: separate regimes
Hong Kong and Macau are separate customs and immigration territories — your mainland China visa or visa-free status does not cover them. Hong Kong allows 145+ nationalities visa-free; Macau has its own policy. Tibet requires a Tibet Tourism Bureau permit even if you are visa-free — apply through a licensed tour operator at least 20 working days in advance; solo travel into Tibet is not permitted. Leaving Lhasa city requires an Additional Travel Permit (ATP).
- Hainan Island has its own 30-day visa-free policy (59 countries) — but it does NOT connect to mainland China without a separate mainland visa
- The 240h transit zone is strict: entering via Shanghai restricts you to the Yangtze Delta, not all of China
- Tibet permit is required even for visa-free nationalities — there is no walk-in option
- Overstaying is zero-tolerance: fines, deportation, and possible multi-year entry ban
Policy Policies change often — re-check the official source before you travel.