Visa & Entry Requirements
STEP 1: Check Your Visa Eligibility
Comprehensive Bilateral Visa-Free and Unilateral Visa-Free Entry Policies (76 Countries)
As of September, 2025,travelers from a total of 29 countriesare eligible for bilateral visa-free entry, with travelers from atotal of 47 countries eligible for unilateral visa-free entry.Travelers holding ordinary passports from these 76 countriesare eligible to enter China visa-free through all open ports of entry.
Comprehensive Bilateral Visa-Free Entry Policy(29
Countries)
Eligible countries:Albania,the United Arab EmiratesAzerbaijan,Antigua and Barbuda,Barbados,BahamasBelarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada,Georgia,Kazakhstan,Qatar, Malaysia,Maldives, Mauritius, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, San Marino, SurinameSolomon lslands, Thailand, Tonga, Singapore, Armenia, andUzbekistan.
Ports of Entry: All open ports of entry in China.
Reasons for Visa-Free Entry: Bilateral visa-free agreement.
Length of Stay in China: Determined by the specific bilateralvisa-free agreement.
Unilateral Visa-Free Entry Policy(47 Countries)
Eligible countries: Andorra,Argentina, Oman,，AustraliaAustria, Brazil, Bahrain, Belgium, Peru, Brunei, BulgariaRussia, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, lceland, Liechtenstein, lrelandltaly, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, MaltaMonaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, NorthMacedonia, Norway,Poland,Portugal,Romania,SaudArabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay, andChile.
Ports of Entry: All open ports of entry in China.
Reasons for Visa-Free Entry:Business, sightseeing, visitingrelatives or friends, exchanges, or transit.
Length of Stay in China: No more than 30 days
240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
Travelers from 55 countries holding valid international traveldocuments and connecting tickets with confirmed dates andseats who are transiting through China to a third country(region) are eligible to enter China visa-free through any of 60open ports in24provinces(autonomous regionsandmunicipalities)including Hainan (Haikou Meilan International Airport and Sanya Phoenix International Airport).
Eligible countries: Albania,Argentina,the United ArabEmirates, lreland, Estonia, Austria, Australia, Brazil, Belarus.Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Belgium, lceland, Bosnia andHerzegovina, Poland, Denmark,Germany, Russia, FranceFinland, South Korea, the Netherlands, Montenegro, Canadathe, Czech Republic,Qatar,Croatia,Latvia,LithuaniaLuxembourg,Romania, Malta, the United States, Monaco,Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Japan,Sweden,SwitzerlandSerbia, Cyprus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Brunei, Ukraine, SpainGreece, Singapore, New Zealand, Hungary, ltaly, the UnitedKingdom, Indonesia, and Chile.
Reasons for Visa-Free Entry: Tourism, business, visits, andfamily visits. Travel for work, study, media interviews, andother activities requiring prior approval still requires a visa.
Length of Stay in China: Not to exceed 240 hours in thedesignated area(those eligible for visa-free entry throughbilateral or unilateral visa-free entry agreements are subject tothe provisions of the relevant agreements).
Hainan’s 59 Country Visa-Free Entry Policy
Thanks to State Council approval, travelers from 59 countriesare eligible to enter Hainan visa-free and stay for no more than30 days for the purposes of tourism, business, visits, familyvisits, medical treatment, exhibitions, and sports competitions(not including travel for work or study).
Eligible countries: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria.Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei,Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech RepublicDenmark, Estonia, Finland,France,Germany,GreeceHungary, lceland, Indonesia, lreland, ltaly, Japan, KazakhstanSouth Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, MaltaMexico, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New ZealandNorth Macedonia, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, PortugalQatar, Romania, Russia,Serbia,Singapore, SlovakiaSlovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, the UnitedArab Emirates, the United States, the United Kingdom, andUkraine.
Ports of Entry:All open ports of entry in Hainan Province(Haikou Meilan Airport, Sanya Phoenix Airport, Qionghai BoaoAirport, etc.).
Reasons for Visa-Free Entry: Tourism, business, visits, visitingrelatives or friends,medical treatment,meetings andexhibitions, and sports competitions.
Scope of travel: Administrative regions of Hainan Province.
Length of stay in Hainan: No more than 30 days.
Hainan’s 144-Hour Visa-Free Entry Policy for International Tour Groups from Hong Kong and Macao
After arriving in Hong Kong or Macao, travelers holdingordinary passports from countries that have establisheddiplomatic ties with China are eligible to enter Hainan visa-freefor the purpose of tourism in groups (of two or more people)organized by travel agencies legally registered in Hong Kongor Macao,and may stay in Hainan for no more than 144hours.
Ports of Entry: All open ports of entry in Hainan Province(Haikou Meilan Airport, Sanya Phoenix Airport, Qionghai BoaoAirport, etc.).
Visa-free methods and reasons for entry: After arriving in HongKong or Macao,travelers may visit Hainan in a grouporganized by travel agencies legally registered in Hong Kongand Macao.
Scope of travel: Administrative regions of Hainan Province
Length of stay in Hainan: No more than 144 hours.
15-Day Cruise Ship Visa Free Entry Policy
Groups of(2 or more)international travelers organized bydomestic travel agencies and arriving via cruise ship areeligible to enter China visa-free through cruise ports in thirteercities, including Haikou and Sanya in Hainan Province, andmay remain in China for no more than 15 days
Ports of Entry:The thirteen designated cruise ports arelocated in Haikou,Sanya,Tianjin, Dalian,Shanghai,Lianyungang,Wenzhou,Zhoushan,Qingdao,Xiamen,Guangzhou,Shenzhen, and Beihai.
Reasons for visa-free entry: International tour groups arrivingon cruise ships.
Scope of travel:Coastal provinces, regions,and municipalities, as well as Beijing.
Length of stay in Hainan: No more than 15 days.
Tips:
1.For travelers entering Hainan visa-free who are eligible folentry under the national visa-free entry policy, the 240-houivisa-free entry policy,and the Hainan 59 country visa-freeentry policy, it’s recommended to enter under the national visa.一free entry policy first.
2.Travelers from ten countries(Russia, Ukraine, the UnitedStates, the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, Lithuania,Mexico, the Czech Republic, and Indonesia)who are noteligible for visa-free entry under the national visa-free-entrypolicy but are eligible for visa-free entry under the 240-hourvisa-free transit policy as well as Hainan’s 59-country visa-freeentry policy may choose the policy most suited to theirpurpose of entry, scope of travel, and length of stay.
3.Travelers who need to apply for a visa for legitimate andreasonable purposes during their visa-free stay in Hainanmust apply to the Exit and Entry Administration Department ofthe Hainan Province Public Security Bureau before the end ofthe visa-free stay period.
Note: Source from WeChat Mini Program ：Very Cool Hainan
STEP 2: Complete the Electronic Arrival Card
To make your arrival smoother and faster, from November 20, 2025, all international travelers entering Hainan—including those eligible for visa-free entry—must complete the Foreigner Arrival Card. You are encouraged to complete it online before arrival, saving time at immigration.
How to complete the form
You may submit the form in advance through any of the following official channels:
Official website: National Immigration Administration of China
Mobile app: Immigration Administration 12367
Mini programs: Search “Immigration Administration 12367” on WeChat or Alipay
QR code: Scan the official QR code shown on your flight confirmation or at the airport
Who does NOT need to complete the Arrival Card?
You are exempt if you meet any of the following conditions:
✅ Hold a Permanent Residence ID Card of the People’s Republic of China
✅ Hold a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents (non-Chinese nationality)
✅ Enter China with a group visa or under a group visa-free arrangement
✅ Transit within 24 hours without leaving the designated port area
✅ Enter and exit by cruise ship and return on the same vessel
✅ Use fast-track immigration channels
✅ Are a foreign crew member of international transportation vehicles
⚠️ Important note
If you enter Hainan under the 59-country individual visa-free policy, you still need to complete the electronic Arrival Card.
Can someone complete the form on my behalf?
Yes. For elderly travelers, minors, or those without smartphones, a companion may complete the form on their behalf using their own device.
After submission, simply present the QR code at immigration.
STEP 3: Arrival & Immigration Clearance
Upon arrival at Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK) or Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX), follow on-site instructions for a smooth entry process:
What to present
Your passport&Your electronic Arrival Card confirmation (QR code)
On-site assistance
If you haven’t completed the form in advance, don’t worry. Immigration halls are equipped with:
Free Wi-Fi & QR code guidance
Connect to airport Wi-Fi and scan the official QR code to access the form—no need to queue for paper cards.
Self-service kiosks
Touchscreen terminals with multilingual support to help you complete the form quickly and accurately.
Staff assistance
Trained personnel are available for guidance, and paper Arrival Cards are also provided if needed.
FAQ
Q: I’m traveling with family. Can I complete the form for them?
A: Yes. Companions may complete the form online for elderly travelers or minors.
Q: Is there a fee for completing the electronic Arrival Card?
A: No. The service is completely free. Please use official channels only.
Q: What if I encounter issues during immigration?
A: Immigration officers are available on site for assistance, or you may call the 24-hour Immigration Service Hotline: (+86) 12367.