Latest Updates on China’s Visa-Free Policies

China offers various visa-free travel policies to foreigners from multiple countries. Recent updates include the introduction of a “port visa” application process for emergency situations, expansion of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy to more ports, unilateral visa-free entry for Australia and New Zealand, and visa-free access for tourist groups arriving by cruise. Additionally, visa-free travel has been expanded to include six European countries, and the 30-day visa-free travel policy has been extended to Hainan province for various entry purposes.

China offers multiple visa-free travel policies to foreigners, enabling people from a wide range of countries to visit

UPDATE (August 2, 2024): On July 18, the Beijing Port Visa Office released a guideline on how inbound travelers can apply for a “port visa” (similar to a “visa on arrival”). Travelers facing emergencies can apply via email to bjcrjka@nia.gov.cn to receive a ‘Pre-Acceptance Receipt’ to board flights to China. After arrival, they must complete the visa application process at 24/7 Port Visa Offices in Beijing airports and obtain relevant types of visas based on their purpose of visit, with an allowed stay period of up to 30 days. 

UPDATE (July 15, 2024): The National Immigration Administration (NIA) has expanded China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy to 37 ports as of July 15, 2024. Zhengzhou aviation port in Henan now offers this policy, with the stay limited to the administrative region of Henan Province. The stay range of Yunnan Province’s policy has been expanded from Kunming to eight other cities (prefecture-level) including Lijiang, Yuxi, Pu’er, Chuxiong, Dali, Xishuangbanna, Honghe, and Wenshan. Additionally, Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, and Mohan Railway Port have been added as ports applicable to the 144-hour visa-free transit policy. Read more here.

UPDATES (June 17, 2024): Chinese Premier Li Qiang said that China will include Australia and New Zealand in the list of unilateral visa-free countries (up to 15 days). Li made the remarks separately during a joint press meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and during talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. 

UPDATES (May 15, 2024): China’s National Immigration Administration announced that it will grant a visa-free policy for foreign tourist groups to enter China by cruise at all cruise ports along the coast of China, starting from May 15, 2024. The tourist group must remain with the same cruise ship until its next port of call and stay within permitted areas for no more than 15 days.

UPDATES (March 7, 2024): According to official news, China will expand its unilateral visa-free travel policy to six additional European countries including Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg, during the period from March 14 to November 30, 2024. Ordinary passport holders from the above countries may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 15 days. 

UPDATE (February 18, 2024): On February 9, 2024, China’s National Immigration Administration announced the expansion of the 30-day visa-free travel policy to the province of Hainan – to include more allowed purposes of entry. The expanded entry purposes for the Hainan visa-free policy include for business, visiting, family reunions, medical treatment, exhibitions, and sports competitions. However, work and study purposes are excluded from this arrangement.

This article is republished from China Briefing. Read the rest of the original article.

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