Q&A on 30-day Visa-free Policy Between China And European Countries

From November 30, 2024 to December 31, 2025, ordinary passport holders from the 38 countries(Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Holland, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan) can enter China without a need to apply for a visa for the purposes of business, tourism, family visits, exchanges and visits and transit, with stays of no more than 30 days.

 

Q: Do European citizens eligible for 30-day visa-free entry to China need to notice the Chinese embassies or consulates in advance?
 

A: European citizens eligible for the visa-free entry to China do not need to pre-notice the Chinese embassies or consulates.

 

Q: Will Chinese immigration inspection authorities check the purpose of visit before allowing European citizens to enter China? Are there additional documents other than passport required upon entry to China?
 

A: European citizens entering China for business, tourism, family visit or transit purposes, will be allowed to enter China after being checked by the Chinese immigration inspection authorities.
 

Except for the passport, it is recommended for the European citizens to take necessary supportive documents with you while entering China, such as the invitation letter, flight tickets and hotel reservation order, which will help to verify your purpose of visit.
 

Kindly reminder, your purposes of entering China should be applicable to the purposes listed on the 30-day visa-free policy. If a European citizen come to China for work, study, or journalism purposes, he/she does not apply to 30-day visa-free entry policy, which refers to that he/she should apply for the Chinese visa to enter China.

 

Q: Are there any special requirements for minors who are eligible for the 30-day visa-free entry?

A: No special requirements, same as adults.

 

Q: Are there certain requirements for the type and validity period for border-entry certificates?

A: European citizens holding ordinary passports should ensure their passport validity covering their stay in China. Holders of travel documents, temporary or emergency certificate do not apply to the visa-free entry policy. To be eligible for the 30-day visa-free policy, you should hold ordinary passport.

 

How to understand the 30-day stay period?

A: Foreign nationals eligible for a visa waiver may stay in China continuously without a visa from the date of entry to the 30th calendar day until 24:00.
 

Q: Can European citizens applying to 30-day visa-free entry policy, depart from other countries(not their own nationality)?

A: European citizens eligible for visa-free entry to China can depart from any countries (regions) outside China.

 

Q: Does this 30-day visa-free entry policy apply to travel methods other than flights?

A: The 15-day visa-free entry policy applies to all open sea, land, and air ports to foreign citizens(except where laws, regulations, or bilateral arrangements specify otherwise). If arriving in China by private transportation, relevant procedures for entry and exit of the vehicle should be processed in accordance with certain Chinese laws and regulations.

 

Q: Are tourist groups eligible for this 30-day visa-free entry policy?

A: European citizens eligible for the visa-free entry policy, whether in group or as individuals, apply to the visa-free entry policy.

 

Q: If the stay in China exceeds 30 days, can extension be made?

A: If a European citizen intends to stay in China for more than 30 days, he/she should apply for a Chinese visa in advance at the Chinese embassies or consulates. If there are legitimate reasons for longer stay than the 30 days after entering China using the visa-free entry policy, application for temporary stay permit should be submitted to the Chinese exit&entry administration of the public security departments before the 30-day stay permit expires.

 

Q: Are multiple entries allowed？Are there requirements for duration of entry intervals? Are there limits on the number of visa-free entries or total days of stay limit?

A: Foreign citizens eligible for 30-day visa-free entry to China can enter multiple times. Currently, there are no restrictions on the number of visa-free entries or total days of stay limit. Please keep in mind that you should not to be engaged in activities inconsistent with your purpose of entry.

How to Arrange a Trip in China Less Than 30 Days?

To arrange a trip in China for less than 30 days, you should carefully plan the itinerary in China. It is not recommended that you stay in China for 15 days because these 15 days include the first day you arrive in China and the last day you leave China. Arriving in China, you need time to get out off the airport and get to your hotel from the airport. Leaving China, you need time to go to the airport from the hotel and wait for your flight.
 

A 13-day or 14-day tour is recommended to visit China if you want to fully use the visa free policy. You can visit 3 to 4 cities in China in 13 days or 14 days.

 

If I want to stay in China for more than 30 days, what should I do?

Citizens from Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg who want to stay in China more than 30 days, or your purpose to enter China are not applicable to the reasons of 30-day visa free policy, should apply for Chinese visa in advance.

 

Where Can I Get the Information of Chinese Visa Application?

For the European citizens who first go to China, you can look through the official website of Chinese Embassy of your country to know about the information of Chinese Visa Application. There are latest policies and information on the official websites of the Chinese embassies or consulates. And there are detailed explanation of how to apply the Chinese visa at the official website of Chinese Embassy. Also, there are Chinese Visa Application Service Center in some countries like Austria and Belgium. If there is Chinese Visa Application Service Center in your country, you can submit your Chinese visa application to the Visa Center because the Chinese Embassy does not directly handle with your visa application.