- China has expanded its visa-free transit policy to allow citizens of 54 countries, including the United States, to stay for up to 10 days without a visa.
- Travelers must travel from China to a third country (region) to be eligible.
- Those staying more than 10 days or visiting China as their only destination will still need a visa.
It has become easier to visit China.
The Chinese National Immigration Administration announced on Tuesday the extension of its visa-free transit policy.
Starting today, citizens of 54 countries, including the United States, can visit China for up to 10 days without a visa. Previously, visa-free transit was limited to 72 or 144 hours depending on the destination.
China also added 21 additional visa-free entry and exit ports and five additional destinations for visa-free travel.
“This initiative is beneficial to accelerating cross-border people flows, promoting international communication and cooperation, and injecting new impetus into the high-quality development of the economy and society,” the official said. Chinese Visa Application Service Center website. “NIA welcomes more foreign friends to come to China and experience for themselves the beauty of the country in this new era.”
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But there are certain restrictions. Here's what travelers looking to visit China should know.
Do US citizens need a visa to enter China?
Yes and no.
Under the new, expanded visa-free transit policy, U.S. citizens can enter many parts of China for 10 days without a visa, but must then continue to another country. They can't just come and go from the United States to China without a visa.
“Individuals of 54 eligible countries… traveling from China to a third country (region), can enter without a visa through any of the 60 ports opened in 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) and stay in the areas permitted for travelers in transit without a visa for up to 240 hours . hours,” according to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center.
US citizens who only visit China or stay there for more than 10 days will still be need a visa. Different types of visas are required for tourists and people doing business in China.
Which countries are visa-free to visit China?
The following 54 countries are eligible for visa-free transit for up to 10 days.
Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland , Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia. , Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates Emirates, United Kingdom and United States.
Can I transit China without a visa?
Yes.
According to the China Visa Application Service Center, “foreign nationals entering China under the visa-free transit policy can make interprovincial travel within the areas permitted for visa-free transit travelers in these 24 provinces (regions). autonomous and municipalities)”.
◾Anhui
◾Beijing Municipality
◾Chongqing Municipality
◾Fujian Province
◾Jiangsu Province
◾Guangdong Province
◾ Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
◾Guizhou Province
◾Hainan Province
◾Hebei Province
◾Heilongjiang Province
◾Henan Province
◾Hubei Province
◾Hunan Province
◾ Jiangxi Province (Jingdezhen and Nanchang only)
◾Liaoning Province
◾Shaanxi Province
◾Shandong Province
◾Shanghai Municipality
◾ Shanxi Province (only Datong and Taiyuan)
◾Sichuan Province
◾Tianjin Municipality
◾Yunnan Province
◾Zhejiang Province
Note: The entire provinces of Fujian Province, Hubei Province, and Shaanxi Province are now included. Within the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the visa-free transit zone has been expanded to include the administrative regions of Beihai, Fangchenggang, Hechi, Hezhou, Guigang, Guilin, Laibin, Liuzhou, Nanning, Qinzhou, Wuzhou and Yulin.
Which ports allow visa-free entry and exit?
◾ Hefei Xinqiao International Airport and Huangshan Tunxi International Airport in Anhui Province
◾ Beijing International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport in Beijing Municipality
◾ Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport in Chongqing Municipality
◾ Fuzhou Changle International Airport, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport, Wuyishan Airport and Xiamen Port in Fujian Province
◾ Nanning Wuxu International Airport, Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, Beihai Fucheng Airport and Beihai Port in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
◾ Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport, Nansha Port and Shekou Port in Guangdong Province
◾ Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport in Guizhou Province
◾ Haikou Meilan International Airport and Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Hainan Province
◾ Harbin Taiping International Airport in Harbin City
◾ Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport and Qinhuangdao Port in Hebei Province
◾ Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport in Henan Province
◾ Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in Hubei Province
◾ Changsha Huanghua International Airport and Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport in Hunan Province
◾ Nanjing Lukou International Airport, Su'nan Shuofang International Airport, Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport and Lianyungang Port in Jiangsu Province
◾ Nanchang Changbei International Airport in Jiangxi Province
◾ Shenyang Taoxian International Airport, Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport and Dalian Port in Liaoning Province
◾ Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport, Yantai Penglai International Airport, Weihai Dahuipo International Airport and Qingdao Port in Shandong Province
◾ Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Port in Shanghai Municipality
◾ Xi'an Xianyang International Airport in Shaanxi Province
◾ Taiyuan Wusu International Airport in Shanxi Province
◾ Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Sichuan Province
◾ Tianjin Binhai International Airport and Tianjin Port in Tianjin Municipality
◾ Kunming Changshui International Airport, Lijiang Sanyi International Airport and Mohan Railway Port in Yunnan Province
◾ Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Ningbo Lishe International Airport, Wenzhou Longwan International Airport, Yiwu Airport, Wenzhou Port and Zhoushan Port in Zhejiang Province
Is it safe to go to China right now?
The U.S. State Department says that “for most visitors, the PRC remains a very safe country,” but that travelers should exercise increased caution “due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including in regarding exit bans.
In a Level 2 travel advisoryThe State Department also notes that “the tourism industry is unevenly regulated and safety inspections of equipment and facilities are not common.” Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified by appropriate signage, and personnel may not be trained or certified by either the PRC government or recognized authorities in the field.
As with other international destinations, travelers are encouraged to enroll in the State Department's free program. Smart Traveler Registration Program to receive alerts in the event of an emergency.
