China Entry Policies 2025: Visa-Free Countries, 240-Hour Transit & Travel Essentials

Planning a trip to China in 2025? The good news is that entry has never been easier for many travelers. With the expansion of China’s visa-free entry program and streamlined over-transit rules, more foreign visitors can now explore the country without the hassle of a pre-arranged visa. Below we outline the latest visa-free countries, the detailed 240-hour transit exemption, key entry rules, and how TravelChina.co can help you plan a smooth journey.

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1. The 2025 Visa-Free Expansion

China has significantly broadened its visa waiver schemes. Citizens of dozens of countries can now enter China visa-free for short stays (typically up to 30 days). This applies to both tourism and business visits, though long-term work or study still requires a regular visa.

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2. Full List of Visa-Free Countries (Ordinary Passports, as of mid-2025)

Travelers holding ordinary passports from the following countries are eligible for visa-free entry into Mainland China (up to 30 days, unless otherwise specified):

Europe:
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Asia-Pacific:
Australia, Brunei, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea.

Middle East & Gulf States:
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.

Americas:
Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay.

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3. Transit Exemptions — 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit

Many major airports and port cities (e.g. Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, etc.) now allow eligible nationals to transit visa-free for up to 240 hours (10 days) under certain conditions. Here are the full details:

What you need:

• Valid passport from one of 55 eligible countries.
• Confirmed onward travel to a third country/region with tickets (date and seat).
• Enter and exit via approved ports/airports.
• Stay within designated cities or regions during your transit period.
• Purpose limited to tourism, business, family visit, etc. Not valid for work, long-term study, etc. visaforchina.cn

Eligible Countries for 240-Hour Transit (55 total):

• Europe (~40): Austria; Belgium; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Iceland; Italy; Latvia; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Monaco; Russia; United Kingdom; Ireland; Cyprus; Bulgaria; Romania; Ukraine; Serbia; Croatia; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Montenegro; North Macedonia; Albania; Belarus. National Immigration Administration
• Americas (6): United States; Canada; Brazil; Mexico; Argentina; Chile. National Immigration Administration
• Oceania (2): Australia; New Zealand. National Immigration Administration
• Asia (7): Republic of Korea; Japan; Singapore; Brunei; United Arab Emirates; Qatar; Indonesia (added 12 June 2025). visaforchina.cn

Typical Ports / Regions You Can Use:

Among the approximately 60 open ports across 24 provinces / administrative regions are:

• Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xiamen, Kunming, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Chongqing, Fuzhou, etc. visaforchina.cn
• Also newly added airports such as Taiyuan Wusu (Shanxi), Yangzhou Taizhou, Wenzhou Longwan, Yiwu, Hefei, Huangshan Tunxi, Zhangjiajie, and others. visaforchina.cn

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4. Practical Entry Requirements & Tips

• Passport validity: Recommended at least 6 months beyond your travel dates where possible.
• Onward ticket: You must have confirmed tickets to a third country/region.
• Purpose of travel: Allowed for tourism, business, visiting family; not allowed for long-term work/study without visa.
• Accommodation & registration: Hotels typically handle public security registration; private stays may require you to register yourself.

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5. Why Book With TravelChina.co

At TravelChina.co, we make entry stress-free:

• Visa & transit eligibility guidance: We check if your nationality qualifies for the 240-hour transit, which ports work best, etc.
• Custom itineraries: If you have a stopover that aligns with the transit policy, we help plan city-hopping routes that stay within the allowed region.
• Arrival assistance: Airport pickup, local transport, SIM / eSIM, hotel registration—all taken care of.

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6. Final Checklist Before You Fly

1. Confirm whether your nationality is on the 240-hour transit eligible list.
2. Ensure your passport is valid and has blank pages.
3. Have confirmed onward/return tickets.
4. Check that your entry/exit airports are among the approved ports.
5. Check recent updates from your local China embassy / consulate — policies can shift.

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✨ With the 240-hour transit exemption and expanded visa-free program, many more travelers can enjoy China at their own pace—whether it’s 3 days or 10—without visa formalities.

Get started planning at TravelChina.co — where we map out your optimal entry points, transit-friendly itineraries, and ensure your experience is seamless from arrival to departure.