Visa
China Visa-Free Policy
To further promote people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries, China has decided to expand the visa-exemption policy for the following countries:
| Nationality | Duration of Stay |
|---|---|
| Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, State of Samoa, Tanga | 30 days |
| Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lativa, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland | 30 days |
| Brunei, Georgia, Japan, Maldives, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, UAE | 30 days |
| Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, Surinam | 30 days |
| Mauritius, Seychelles | 30 days |
| Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay | 30 days |
| Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain | 30 days |
| Azerbaijan | 30 days for tour groups |
| Belarus | 30 days for each entry; 90 days each calendar year |
| Kazakhstan, Thailand | 30 days for each entry; 90 days every 180 days |
| San Marino | 90 days |
| Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina | 90 days every 180 days |
*Starting from Nov. 30, 2024, ordinary passport holders from the 47 countries within its visa-free arrangement, including the aforementioned newly added nine countries, 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 day
Tips for Using China Visa-free Policy
- 1. Citizens from the above countries hold ordinary passports traveling to China for business, tourism, family visit, exchanges or transit purposes. Those coming here to study, work, reside, or do media report and interview should apply for a visa in advance.
- 2. If your planned duration of stay is longer than allowed, you also need to apply for a visa in advance.
- 3. The validity of the passport should be long enough to cover one’s stay in China. In some cases, it requires that the passport should be valid for at least 3 months or even longer. Other travel certificates or ID certificates are not recognized.
- 4. There is no “overstayed” or “refused” stamps on your passport.
* Individuals who do not meet the visa-free conditions mentioned above still need to apply for a visa before entering China.
→ China Visa-free Policy: Who are Eligible, Duration of Stay (travelchinaguide.com)
240-hour (10 days) Visa-free Transit Policy
Citizens of 54 countries who hold an ordinary passport with at least 3 months of validity and an onward flight, train, or cruise ticket to a third country (or region) within 240 hours can transit in designated areas of 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China’s Mainland for up to 240 hours without a visa.
There are now 60 open ports of entry for the 240-hour visa-free policy across 24 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, including major cities like Xiamen, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xi’an. You can enter China via any of these ports without a visa, as long as you meet the requirements.
Citizens from the following 55 countries can apply for 240-hour visa-exemption transit including:
| Continent | Number | Transit Visa Free Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | 40 |
Countries under Schengen Visa Agreement (25): Austria, Belgium, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. Other Countries (15): Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco and Belarus. |
| America | 6 | United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, the Republic of Chile. |
| Oceania | 2 | Australia, New Zealand. |
| Asia | 7 | South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia. |
Visa Application Information
Please check with the Chinese Embassy, Consulate General, or Chinese Visa Application Centre (CVASC) serving your place of residence for specific details regarding your visa application at your earliest convenience. This information will be required for the preparation of your visa invitation letter.
For countries with multiple Chinese Embassies or Consulates General, please confirm carefully which office is responsible for your region. For example, residents of Texas, USA, should apply for a Chinese visa at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., while residents of New York, USA, should apply at the Chinese Consulate General in New York City. A comprehensive list of Chinese Embassies and Consulates General is available via the link under the section of “Useful Links”.
Passport Requirement:
Your passport must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond your intended date of entry. Early application is strongly recommended.
Visa Type
In most cases, a Tourist Visa (L Visa) is sufficient for participation. An invitation letter may not be required for this type of visa. However, if your local Chinese authority requests it—or if a Business Visa (F Visa) is required—you will need an Invitation Letter from the Forum. In these cases, we can issue an officially signed and stamped Invitation Letter for visa purposes.
To obtain the invitation letter, please register for the forum, then send the screenshot of your personal information page to us. If you encounter any difficulties in obtaining your visa and require a Formal Invitation Letter from of Duly Authorized Unit, please contact us at bfif2025@chinastargroup.com and submit the following documents:
- - A scanned copy of your passport’s photo page;
- - Your BFIF 2025 registration confirmation letter (automatically sent upon account registration);
- - A scanned copy of your Work ID or Student ID card.
Important Notes:
- - You are responsible for securing an appropriate visa in a timely manner. Please allow at least 1.5 months for the entire visa application process.
- - Do not submit multiple applications. One qualified application is sufficient.
- - Participants must provide true and accurate information during registration, particularly when requesting an invitation letter for visa purposes.
- - Invitation letters will be processed after the registration.
- - The Forum Invitation Letter can only indicate support for your participation in BFIF 2025 in Xiamen, China.
- - In accordance with relevant regulations, local organizers cannot issue invitation letters for accompanying persons. It is recommended that accompanying persons apply for a Tourist Visa (L Visa), which is generally easier to obtain and requires less paperwork.
To avoid any travel delays and disruptions, we recommend that all travelers read and follow the instructions in the guidance issued by the official websites of Chinese embassies in your countries carefully.
Useful Links
-
- List of Chinese Embassies or Consulates:
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/zwjg/ -
- For visa types and apply procedure:
http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/wgrlh/lhqz/lhqzjjs/201311/t20131101_961583.shtml - - For specific visa application and inquiry, please contact the Chinese Embassies / Consulates, or Chinese Visa Application Service Center (https://www.visaforchina.cn/globle/) in your area directly.
