China's entry rules trip up more travellers than the language barrier. The big surprises: Hong Kong and Macau are not part of the mainland for immigration, and China runs rolling visa-free pilots that change every few months. This page is a plain-language map — not legal advice. Verify the current list with the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate.
Around 50 countries are currently under China's unilateral visa-free arrangement (extended through 2026-12-31). If your passport qualifies, you can enter for short stays without a visa. Confirm your country is still on the list.
Hong Kong and Macau are outside mainland China immigration. A dual-entry visa is used up after: mainland -> Macau -> back to mainland. Plan extra entries if your route bounces in and out.
Many nationalities get 240-hour visa-free transit if arriving from and departing to a third country/region via a Chinese hub. Rules on eligible ports and routes apply — check before booking.
If none of the above fits, apply at a Chinese embassy/consulate. Tourist (L) visas need an itinerary; allow 1–2 weeks. A China-based helper can call the consulate or hotel for you if something stalls.
It depends on your passport. Around 50 countries are under China's unilateral visa-free program (currently extended through 2026-12-31), and many others qualify for 240-hour transit visa-free. Others still need a tourist visa. Check the current list with official sources.
Yes. Hong Kong and Macau are separate immigration zones from mainland China. Leaving the mainland for HK or Macau and returning counts as another entry. A dual-entry visa is spent after one such round trip.
Eligible travellers can stay in China up to 240 hours without a visa when transiting through a Chinese city to a third country or region. Specific ports and routes apply — confirm before you book flights.
A China-based helper can call your hotel, airline or consulate, translate correspondence, and sort booking issues on the ground. China On-Call does this on WeChat 13368344745. Visa approval itself is decided by the embassy, not by any helper.
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