China Visa-Free Countries: Current Regulations for Visa-Free Entry to China

Understanding if your passport is on China’s visa-free countries list might seem like a small ‘to-do’ on a list of other things to tackle before travelling to China, especially for work, but it’s vitally important for many.

For entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals, China’s economic influence is undeniable, drawing business leaders eager to tap into its vast market.

However, it’s not always easy to get a visa to enter the country. 

While China is adding more and more countries to its list each year (with several more joining the list in late 2024), you don’t have to rely solely on the hope that they might include your country soon.

If your current passport doesn’t afford you this advantage, do what many others do and get a second passport that is on China’s visa-free countries’ list. 

While applying for and obtaining a China visa is relatively easy, it still pays to have a passport that you can use to travel to China visa-free.

Here at Nomad Capitalist, we always encourage you to stay ahead of the game by ensuring your travel documents align with your business ambitions, leveraging the full potential of visa-free access to China.

So, do you have a passport on China’s visa-free countries list?

Recent Changes to China Visa-Free Countries

In a significant update to its visa policies, China has extended its short-stay visa-free regime for nationals from a select group of countries until December 31, 2025. 

These updates occurred first on September 30, 2024, when several more nations were added to the growing list of countries with visa-free access to China.

In Europe, Denmark, Georgia, Poland and Slovenia joined the list, while in Asia, Brunei, Singapore and Thailand are now included. From Australia and Oceania, Australia and New Zealand were also granted visa-free access to China.

These changes allow nationals from the listed countries to enter China through any open border crossings, whether by air, land or sea.

Then, as of October 9, 2024, the list of countries benefiting from visa-free access expanded even more, now including Portugal, Greece and Cyprus. 

Nationals from these countries, along with previously eligible countries such as Austria, Belgium, France and Italy, can enjoy simple, visa-free entry into China for stays of up to 15 days.

The latest update was at the end of November 2024, when the list was expanded even further to include Bulgaria, Estonia, Japan, Croatia, Latvia, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Romania.

What Countries Can Enter China Visa-Free?

Interested in visa-free travel to China? We don’t blame you. 

While just a few years ago, the list of passports that could access China visa-free was only more than a handful, the Asian superpower has now added more and more countries to the list.

Now, countries like Australia, Singapore and Italy are included, at least to some extent, allowing citizens to visit China without the hassle of applying or paying for a visa.

Countries with Mutual Visa Exemption Agreements with China

China has established mutual visa exemption agreements with over 150 countries, allowing some citizens to visit without a visa. 

For most, this applies to diplomatic or official passports, but certain countries permit visa-free travel for ordinary passport holders for up to 30 days for tourism, business or visiting family. 

Here’s a list of some of those countries with the effective dates of their visa exemption agreements with China:

• United Arab Emirates- January 16, 2018
• Antigua and Barbuda- May 11, 2024
• Barbados- May 11, 2024
• Bahamas- February 12, 2014
• Belarus- August 10, 2018
• Bosnia and Herzegovina- May 29, 2018
• Dominica- September 19, 2022
• Ecuador- August 18, 2016
• Fiji- March 14, 2015
• Grenada- June 10, 2015
• Georgia- May 28, 2024
• Qatar- December 21, 2018
• Maldives- May 20, 2022
• Mauritius- October 31, 2013
• Serbia- January 15, 2017
• Seychelles- June 26, 2013
• San Marino- July 22, 1985
• Solomon Islands- Recently announced
• Suriname- May 1, 2021
• Thailand- March 1, 2024
• Tonga- August 19, 2016
• Singapore- February 9, 2024
• Armenia- January 19, 2020

Visas, even for citizens of these countries, are necessary for work, study, long-term stays or settlement in China.

Countries with 15-Day Visa-Free Entry to China

As mentioned, China has recently updated its visa-free entry policy, allowing nationals from specific countries to enter for up to 15 days. 

This policy is valid until December 31, 2025, for most countries, with no time limit for some. Here are the key points and eligible countries:

• Australia

• Andorra
• Austria
• Belgium
• Brunei (no time limit)
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Georgia (stay up to 30 days; no more than 90 days in 180 days)
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Iceland
• Italy
• Japan
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Luxembourg
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Republic of Korea
• Romania
• Singapore (stay up to 30 days, no time limit)
• Slovenia
• Slovakia
• Spain
• Switzerland
• Thailand (stay up to 30 days; no more than 90 days in 180 days).

Note that there are some key conditions you must meet to be eligible for this kind of entry:

• Passport validity must cover the stay period (but we ultimately recommend travelling with a passport that is valid for at least six months after your trip)
• You must register with the Chinese police within 24 hours of arrival (usually done by hotels)
• No prior registration with a Chinese consulate is needed
• The stay ends at midnight on the 15th day post-entry, and extensions require valid reasons
• Multiple entries per year are possible, but cumulative stays over 90 days may prompt inquiries from immigration authorities.

It is also suggested that you travel with documents proving the validity of and reason for your stay.

China-Wide Entry for 90 Days (With Travel Permit)

Since July 10, 2024, non-Chinese permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau have been allowed to apply for a Mainland China travel permit via China Travel Service (Holding) Ltd. 

This travel permit allows for short-term visits, such as for investment, family visits, tourism, business trips, seminars and exchange programs. 

Valid for five years, the permit enables multiple entries into Mainland China, with each visit limited to 90 days. However, it does not permit working, studying or journalism within Mainland China.

Visa-Free Entry to Hainan Province

Passport holders from 59 countries are eligible to visit Hainan Province visa-free for up to 30 days. 

This allowance covers purposes such as tourism, business trips, family visits, medical services, attending conferences and exhibitions and participating in sports events. However, it does not extend to those intending to work or study. 

The countries on this list are currently:

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, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States.

Do You Need a Visa to Transit Through China?

Not usually, but like anything in travel, it depends on the power of your passport. China offers visa-free transit options for travellers through various border checkpoints. 

Citizens from 54 countries can enjoy 72 or 144-hour visa-free transit at 38 checkpoints across 18 provinces. 

Eligible travellers must have valid travel documents and onward tickets to a third country, as returning to the country of origin is not permitted. 

Additionally, China provides a 24-hour visa-free transit for all nationalities at all border checkpoints, provided travellers stay within designated transit areas and hold confirmed onward tickets. 

Those wishing to leave transit zones must obtain a temporary entry permit from border authorities.

Best Passports for Visa-Free Entry to China

Have you gone through the current list of visa-free countries for travel to China and can’t find your country?

Remember – if your country isn’t on this list, there’s another way around these kinds of travel hassles.

At Nomad Capitalist, our five magic words are ‘go where you’re treated best’. We believe that obtaining one of China’s visa-free countries’ passports is doable with the right immigration plan and strategy.

Here are some great passports on the list to consider if you’re looking for expanded, easier entry to China. We’ve chosen these as they are convenient options for those interested in getting second citizenship somewhere that enhances their passport power.

Antigua and Barbuda 

An Antigua and Barbuda passport offers a strategic advantage for global travellers, granting visa-free access to China as of 2024. 

Luckily, a passport for this Caribbean nation is quite easy to get, too. 

The country’s citizenship-by-investment program is renowned for its straightforward application process, allowing individuals to acquire citizenship through real estate investment, contributions to the National Development Fund, contributions to the University of the West Indies Fund or business ventures. 

Invest a minimum of US$230,000 to get a passport that not only opens visa-free doors to China but also enhances overall travel freedom to other strategic business sectors like the UK and the entire Schengen Area.

Grenada 

Another one of the easiest passports that you can obtain on this list is Grenada’s passport.

Grenada has 30-day visa-free access to China, and if you want a passport that opens those kinds of travel doors, you’ll be pleased to hear that you can get a Grenadian passport in just six months via its citizenship-by-investment program.

While investment minimums have recently changed, increasing to US$235,000 in June 2024, it’s still one of the most straightforward immigration programs in the region.

If you’re an entrepreneur or an investor who’s looking into getting a passport that has a great relationship with China, then Grenada is a solid option.

San Marino 

One of the first countries to introduce a reciprocal visa-free policy with China in the 1980s was San Marino, a  small country that shares its border with Italy.

The country’s passport holders are permitted to travel to China visa-free for no more than 30 days, which is the longest stay that you can get in China unless you are a non-Chinese permanent resident of Hong Kong or Macau. 

Throughout the years, San Marino has had some of the cheapest real estate investment options around Europe. Not only that, but it’s also a country with a territorial tax system.

These are likely some of the reasons why many Chinese entrepreneurs and investors flock to San Marino.

Georgia 

The Georgia passport currently ranks at 70 on the Nomad Passport Index, mostly for its increasing global reach, now including visa-free access to China as of May 2024. 

This addition enhances the passport’s appeal for anybody seeking broader travel capabilities. 

Plus, Georgia offers several pathways to citizenship, which could start with residency through investment in real estate or business. This makes the process accessible for those interested in expanding their international access. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina 

Through the years, we’ve seen a lot of emerging businesses from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Not only that, but its passport is also one of the fastest-improving passports in the world.

Namely, if you have a passport from Bosnia and Herzegovina, then you have 90-day visa-free access to China.

While this is a relatively smaller country, there are various ways to get citizenship in Bosnia and Herzegovina. You can either go through their citizenship-by-descent program, or you can apply for a second residency.

Mauritius 

Mauritius is one of China’s visa-free countries that has up to 30 days of visa-free access, which has been available since 2013.

Mauritius citizens are also given visa-free access to most parts of Europe and the United Kingdom. So, this country has a great passport, to begin with.

Obtaining a passport from Mauritius is not easy, though, and no policy for naturalisation is in effect anymore. 

The Bahamas 

The Bahamas is not only one of the top tax-free countries in the world, but it’s also one of China’s visa-free countries.

It’s actually one of the first countries to have agreed on a mutual visa-free policy with China. Perhaps it’s something to do with their instant permanent residence program or offshore company incorporation rules.

Either way, there are various programs for obtaining a second residency in the Bahamas. 

However, it will take 10 years of being a resident in the Bahamas before you can naturalise and gain citizenship. But, if you’re okay with that, it’s also considered one of the most livable countries in the world without an income tax.

Serbia 

Another country in Eastern Europe that has a great relationship with China is Serbia.

Now, obtaining a second passport from Serbia is fairly easy. All you have to do is apply for a second residence permit and live in the country on a permanent basis for three years. This can lead to a second passport. 

You can gain your initial Serbian residency through a real estate investment, by establishing a company or through self-employment.

The United Arab Emirates 

Another country on China’s visa-free countries list is none other than the United Arab Emirates.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to obtain a passport from the United Arab Emirates. However, there are options that can grant you a second residency in the region.

This includes the residence-by-investment program. It won’t lead to citizenship, but it’s a good option if you want a connection to the UAE.

Those who hold a passport from the United Arab Emirates are given 30-day access to China – a great visa opportunity since these two regions are some of the best emerging markets today.

Plus, basing yourself in the UAE while doing business in China doesn’t seem like a bad business move.

Lower Level of Visa-Free Access to China

While we’ve covered some passports with a high level of visa-free access to China, some of China’s visa-free countries are only allowed to stay in China for 15 days. 

This is still a pretty good deal compared to having to go through the visa process. Here’s a look at two of those countries, with more recently added as of late 2024 to include Portugal, Spain, Italy and France.

Singapore 

While only granting 15-day visa-free access to China, the Singapore passport is otherwise quite strong. It’s ranked 24 on the 2024 Nomad Passport Index, ahead of countries like South Korea, Canada and Australia. 

While getting a second residence permit in Singapore is possible, it’s still very hard to gain naturalised citizenship. Plus, Singapore is undoubtedly one of the most expensive countries in the world to date.

Sure, Singapore is a fantastic country, but it’s not a very realistic option if you’re after a second passport. 

Japan 

Japan certainly has a strong passport, which includes visa-free access to China. 

However, it’s also relatively difficult to obtain either a second residence permit or a second passport in Japan. So, it’s not a country that we’d recommend when it comes to diversifying your second passport portfolio.

However, it doesn’t lessen the fact that Japan has one of the strongest economies in the world. Plus, they have 15-day visa-free access to China.

China Visa-Free Countries: FAQs

Want a Passport with Visa-Free Entry to China?

One of the first steps that you can take to start your Nomad Capitalist journey is to invest in a second passport. 

There is no best or worst passport, even if visa-free travel to China is your ultimate goal, rather a passport that matches your needs.

So, if having lenient travel perks to China is one of your passport goals, then one of China’s visa-free countries on this list will help you do that.

Ready to get your second passport?

The Nomad Capitalist team of professionals are ready to help you through a plan customised to your needs. Reach out to us to get started.