Visa Information
All you need to know about entering, leaving and staying in China.
Which China entry route fits your trip?
Start with your passport, route and intended travel area. The border authority makes the final decision, so open the full guide and recheck its official source before departure.
| Your situation | Likely route | Key constraint | Maximum stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your passport is on China's ordinary visa-free list | 30-day visa-free entry | Eligible passport and a permitted short-stay purpose | 30 days |
| You travel country or region A → mainland China → B | 240-hour visa-free transit | Eligible passport, designated ports and permitted areas | 240 hours |
| Your international connection leaves within 24 hours | 24-hour direct transit | Temporary entry permission is needed to leave the port area | 24 hours |
| You enter mainland China directly through Hainan | Hainan regional visa-free entry | Eligible passport; remain inside Hainan Province | 30 days |
| A Chinese agency receives your group from a cruise | Cruise-group visa-free entry | Two or more travelers; same cruise ship and group itinerary | 15 days |
| A registered Hong Kong or Macau agency organizes the group | Greater Bay Area group entry | Enter and leave together through approved ports and cities | 144 hours |
| No exemption matches your passport, purpose or route | Tourist (L) visa | Apply before travel and follow the visa's entries and validity | As granted |
Travel Essentials
Keep moving through the setup
These guides follow the order in which a first-time visitor normally needs them. Use the First Trip hub when you need the complete sequence and fallbacks.