WHAT ARE CHINA’S REGIONAL VISA-FREE POLICIES?
Regional visa-free policies apply only to specific destinations, routes or tour arrangements. They are different from nationwide visa-free entry and from the 240-hour transit policy.
All stay periods listed below are calculated from 00:00 on the day after entry, unless another applicable visa-free policy provides different rules.
REGIONAL VISA-FREE POLICIES AT A GLANCE
Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free Entry
Citizens of 59 countries holding ordinary passports may enter Hainan without a visa for short-term purposes such as tourism, business, visits, family visits, medical treatment, conferences, exhibitions and sports competitions. Work and study are excluded.Travelers may enter and exit through all Hainan ports open to foreign nationals. The permitted travel area is Hainan Province, and the stay may not exceed 30 days.
TOURISM
TOURISM
TOURISM
TOURISM
TOURISM
Foreign Cruise Tour Groups
Foreign tourist groups of two or more people traveling by cruise ship and organized by a Chinese travel agency may enter China visa-free through designated cruise ports.
- Entry ports include cruise ports in Tianjin, Dalian, Shanghai, Lianyungang, Wenzhou, Zhoushan, Xiamen, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beihai, Haikou and Sanya.
- The group must continue with the same cruise to the next port until the cruise exits China.
- The permitted stay is up to 15 days.
- The permitted travel area includes 11 coastal provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, plus Beijing.
ASEAN Tour Groups to Xishuangbanna
Tour groups of two or more citizens from ASEAN countries may enter Xishuangbanna visa-free when organized and received by a Chinese travel agency and traveling as a group.
- Eligible ASEAN countries include Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.
- Approved ports include Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport, Mohan Railway Port and Mohan Highway Port.
- The permitted travel area is Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, and the stay may not exceed 6 days.
ASEAN Tour Groups to Guilin
Tour groups of two or more citizens from ASEAN countries may enter Guilin visa-free through Guilin Airport when organized and received by a Chinese travel agency.
- The permitted travel area is Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
- The stay may not exceed 6 days.
Foreign Tour Groups
from Hong Kong or Macau to Guangdong
Citizens of countries that have diplomatic relations with China may visit Hong Kong or Macau first, then enter designated Mainland cities visa-free as part of a tour group organized by a travel agency registered in Hong Kong or Macau.
- The tour group must have at least two travelers and use group entry and group exit.
- The permitted travel area includes Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhaoqing, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Huizhou, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Shantou.
- The stay may not exceed 6 days.
Foreign Tour Groups
from Hong Kong or Macau to Hainan
Citizens of countries that have diplomatic relations with China may enter Hainan visa-free from Hong Kong or Macau when traveling in a tour group organized by a Hong Kong or Macau registered travel agency.
- The permitted travel area is Hainan Province.
- Entry and exit may use Hainan ports open to foreign nationals.
- The stay may not exceed 6 days.
ORDINARY PASSPORT
ELIGIBLE NATIONALITY
APPROVED ENTRY PORT
PERMITTED REGION
CORRECT TOUR ARRANGEMENT
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I travel outside the permitted region?
No. Regional visa-free policies limit travel to the approved province, city or route. Travelers who want to visit other parts of Mainland China may need a visa or another applicable visa-free policy.
Do all regional policies allow independent travel?
Can I work or study under a regional visa-free policy?
No. Work and study generally require the appropriate Chinese visa.
Can another visa-free policy apply instead?
Yes. If a traveler also qualifies under a mutual visa exemption agreement or another China visa-free policy, the applicable policy may be used according to its own rules.