Question 1

Do I need a visa to visit China?

Accepted Answer

Not for a stay of up to 30 days if you hold an ordinary passport from one of the 50 countries in China's unilateral visa-free scheme, which includes most of the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea. United States citizens still need a visa unless they qualify for 240-hour visa-free transit. Work, study and journalism always require a visa.

Question 2

How long is the visa-free scheme valid?

Accepted Answer

The scheme is a trial that Beijing has extended each year. It is currently confirmed until 31 December 2026 for most countries and until 31 December 2027 for Russia. A further extension is possible but not guaranteed, so travellers with trips after the validity date should check the status before booking.

Question 3

Can United States citizens enter China without a visa?

Accepted Answer

Only under the 240-hour visa-free transit scheme: a stay of up to 10 days in designated regions when travelling on to a third country or region with a confirmed onward ticket. For any other visit, US citizens apply for a visa; a 10-year multiple-entry tourist or business visa is available for a flat fee of 140 US dollars.

Question 4

What is the 240-hour visa-free transit?

Accepted Answer

Travellers from 55 countries who transit China on the way to a third country or region may stay up to 240 hours without a visa. They enter through one of 65 designated ports, receive a temporary entry permit, and may move within 24 provinces and municipalities. Returning to the country they came from does not count as transit; Hong Kong and Macao do count as separate regions.

Question 5

What is the China Digital Arrival Card and who must complete it?

Accepted Answer

Since 20 November 2025 every foreign visitor entering mainland China, including visa-free and transit travellers, completes the China Digital Arrival Card online within 72 hours before arrival. It is free on the National Immigration Administration website and the NIA 12367 app; only passengers who stay airside in international transit are exempt.

Question 6

Is the Digital Arrival Card free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The official form on the NIA website and in the NIA 12367 app is free. Websites that charge a processing fee for it are not the official channel.

Question 7

How long does a Chinese visa take?

Accepted Answer

Regular processing at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center takes about four working days from submission; express and rush services take two to three days or one day where offered, at a surcharge. Allow extra time for the appointment and for gathering documents.

Question 8

Where do I apply for a Chinese visa?

Accepted Answer

At the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) or the Chinese embassy or consulate responsible for where you legally reside. The form is completed online first at cova.mfa.gov.cn and an appointment is booked at avas.mfa.gov.cn or on the centre's own site.

Question 9

Do I have to give fingerprints?

Accepted Answer

Applicants aged 14 to 70 provide fingerprints when submitting the application, which is why most applications are made in person. Some centres allow mail-in applications for people who have given fingerprints for a Chinese visa in the last five years.

Question 10

Can I extend a visa-free stay in China?

Accepted Answer

Visa-free entry cannot be extended into a longer stay as a matter of routine. Travellers who need more than 30 days apply for a visa before departure. In exceptional circumstances the local Exit-Entry Administration can grant a stay permit.

Question 11

Do Hong Kong and Macao need a separate visa?

Accepted Answer

Hong Kong and Macao have their own immigration rules and most Western nationals enter both without a visa for 90 or 180 days. A mainland visa is not valid for them, and a trip from the mainland to Hong Kong counts as leaving China, which matters for single-entry visas and for the transit scheme.

Question 12

Can I work on a business visa?

Accepted Answer

No. The M visa covers commercial visits such as meetings, fairs and negotiations, not employment. Anyone employed by an entity in China needs a Z visa and a work-type residence permit, regardless of whether their nationality is visa-free.

Question 13

What happens if I overstay?

Accepted Answer

Overstaying is an offence with fines of 500 yuan per day up to 10,000 yuan, possible detention for serious cases, and an entry ban. Register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival (hotels do this automatically) and leave before the permitted stay ends.

Question 14

Should I use a visa service or apply myself?

Accepted Answer

Applying yourself through COVA and a CVASC is straightforward for standard cases. A visa service such as partner iVisa can be useful when time is short, when documents are complicated, or when a traveller prefers a checked application; the consular fee is the same either way and the service charges its own fee.

China Visa FAQ

All questions

Sources

30-day visa-free entry →

240-hour visa-free transit →

Digital Arrival Card →

Visa types →

How to apply →

Documents checklist →