Visas, visa-free entry and 240-hour transit

List your passport country, purpose, dates, arrival port and onward destination before booking. If a visa is required, follow the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate's instructions. Even when visa-free conditions are met, entry is not automatic and remains subject to border inspection.

• Check whether your ordinary passport is currently covered
• Confirm that your purpose and length of stay qualify
• Carry accommodation and onward-travel evidence
• Use embassy or consular instructions when a visa is required

At this review, the NIA policy covers 57 countries and 65 entry ports. Travellers generally need a valid international travel document and a connecting ticket to a third country or region with its date and seat confirmed; they must remain within the permitted area and period.

• Your origin and onward country or region must differ
• Travel documents generally need at least three months of validity
• Use an eligible entry and exit port
• Work, study and journalism normally require prior visas

Country lists and policy expiry dates change. Recheck the official pages before ticketing, one week before departure and again the day before departure; save offline copies of the official pages, hotel booking and onward ticket.

• Use the MFA consular FAQ
• Check the NIA port and permitted-area list
• Call 12367 for immigration-policy questions
• Do not rely on an undated social-media screenshot