What it means in practice
The officer at the border decides how long you may stay in China; the date in your passport stamp is the one that counts. Ask for the days you need and carry proof of onward travel.
How China counts your stay: Visa-free stays: up to 30 days, counted from 00:00 on the day after entry. Mutual-exemption countries have extra caps (Kazakhstan: 90 days in any 180; Belarus: 90 days per year). 240-hour transit: counted from 00:00 the day after arrival.
Before you go
Official details are shown in English.
- China Arrival Card (online) (optional) — Before arrival, or on arrival at the port; Free. Since 20 Nov 2025 foreigners can submit the arrival card online via the NIA website, the 'NIA 12367' app, or WeChat/Alipay mini-programs; otherwise fill it in on arrival (QR code, kiosk or paper). Exempt: Chinese permanent residence card holders, foreign holders of Mainland Travel Permits for HK/Macao residents, group-visa or group visa-free travellers, 24-hour direct transit passengers staying airside, cruise passengers on the same ship, e-channel users, and crew. Filing is free — beware of fake paid sites. Official site
At the border
Official details are shown in English.
- Ordinary passport valid for at least the intended stay (visa-free entry does not apply to travel documents other than ordinary passports)
- Border officers check the purpose of travel; invitation letters, air tickets and accommodation bookings are recommended as proof
- 240-hour transit: confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region with a fixed date and seat
How to avoid overstaying
- Go by your stamp or visa. The date the officer gives you is the one that counts, even if it is shorter than the maximum.
- Extend before you run out. The visa-free period itself cannot be extended in advance — get a visa for longer stays. If already in China and you have a valid reason to stay longer, apply for a stay permit at the local public security exit-entry administration.
- Penalties. Our data does not list the overstay penalty for China. Ask the immigration authority before you risk it: fines, deportation and entry bans are common elsewhere.
Staying longer
Visa-free days are for visits. For months or years in China, these are the long-stay routes in Bordr's guide (checked against official sources):
Official details are shown in English.
- X1 student visa and study residence permit — Matches the study term
- Z work visa and work residence permit — Up to 1 year as a rule, up to 2 years for employers with a good record, up to 5 years for high-level talent and investors
Costs, income thresholds and how to apply are in the Bordr guide.
Questions
Do Hong Kong SAR passport holders need a visa for China?
Hong Kong SAR passport holders can enter China without a visa. Our data sets no fixed number of days for this passport.
Can I extend my stay in China?
The visa-free period itself cannot be extended in advance — get a visa for longer stays. If already in China and you have a valid reason to stay longer, apply for a stay permit at the local public security exit-entry administration.
What do I need at the border in China?
Ordinary passport valid for at least the intended stay (visa-free entry does not apply to travel documents other than ordinary passports); Border officers check the purpose of travel; invitation letters, air tickets and accommodation bookings are recommended as proof; 240-hour transit: confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region with a fixed date and seat.
When was this checked?
Bordr last checked the entry rules for China against official sources on 30 October 2026. Rules change: confirm with the official source before you travel.
Sources and last check
Entry rules for this destination were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026. Visa-free days come from the passport matrix in the Bordr app, corrected where the official rules differ.
- NIA — List of countries covered by unilateral visa exemption (17 Feb 2026)
- Chinese Embassy in Sweden — FAQs on visa-free entry (updated 25 May 2026)
- NIA — Details of mutual visa exemption agreements
- NIA — Kyrgyzstan and Viet Nam added to 240-hour visa-free transit (20 Aug 2026)
- Shanghai Municipal Government — 240-hour visa-free transit policy (NIA list, updated 20 Aug 2026)
- Chinese Consulate General in Chicago — online arrival card
- Chinese Embassy in Canada — visa-free policy for Canada and the UK
- Shanghai Municipal Government — China extends visa-free policy for Russia to 31 Dec 2027
This page is general information, not legal advice. Entry rules change and border officers have the final say. Check the official government source for your destination before you travel.
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