Visa & Entry Requirements

STEP 1: Check Your Visa Eligibility

Comprehensive Bilateral Visa-Free and Unilateral Visa-Free Entry Policies (79 Countries)
As of August, 2026, travelers from a total of 29 countriesare eligible for bilateral visa-free entry, with travelers from a total of 50 countries eligible for unilateral visa-free entry. Travelers holding ordinary passports from these 79 countries are 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 Emirates, Azerbaijan, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, San Marino, Suriname, Solomon lslands, Thailand, Tonga, Singapore, Armenia, and Uzbekistan.
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 bilateral visa-free agreement.

Unilateral Visa-Free Entry Policy (50 Countries)
Eligible countries: Andorra, Argentina, Oman, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Bahrain, Belgium, Peru, Brunei, Bulgaria, Russia, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Sweden, Hungary, Iceland, Liechtenstein, lreland, ltaly, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saud Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay, United Kingdom, Canada and Chile.
Ports of Entry: All open ports of entry in China.
Reasons for Visa-Free Entry: Business, sightseeing, visiting relatives or friends, exchanges, or transit.
Length of Stay in China: No more than 30 days

240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy
Travelers from 57 countries holding valid international travel documents and connecting tickets with confirmed dates and seats who are transiting through China to a third country (region) are eligible to enter China visa-free through any of 65 open ports in 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) including Hainan (Haikou Meilan International Airport and Sanya Phoenix International Airport).

Eligible countries: Albania, Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, Ireland, Estonia, Austria, Australia, Brazil, Belarus, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Belgium, Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland, Denmark, Germany, Russia, France, Finland, South Korea, the Netherlands, Montenegro, Canadathe, Czech Republic, Qatar, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Romania, Malta, the United States, Monaco, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, Cyprus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Brunei, Ukraine, Spain, Greece, Singapore, New Zealand, Hungary, ltaly, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan and Chile.
Reasons for Visa-Free Entry: Tourism, business, visits, and family visits. Travel for work, study, media interviews, and other activities requiring prior approval still requires a visa.
Length of Stay in China: Not to exceed 240 hours in the designated area (those eligible for visa-free entry through bilateral or unilateral visa-free entry agreements are subject to the provisions of the relevant agreements).

Hainan's 61 Country Visa-Free Entry Policy
Thanks to State Council approval, travelers from 61 countries are eligible to enter Hainan visa-free and stay for no more than 30 days for the purposes of tourism, business, visits, family visits, 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 Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, ltaly, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, MaltaMexico, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine.
Ports of Entry: All open ports of entry in Hainan Province (Haikou Meilan Airport, Sanya Phoenix Airport, Qionghai Boao Airport, etc.).
Reasons for Visa-Free Entry: Tourism, business, visits, visiting relatives or friends, medical treatment, meetings and exhibitions, 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 holding ordinary passports from countries that have establish eddiplomatic ties with China are eligible to enter Hainan visa-free for the purpose of tourism in groups (of two or more people) organized by travel agencies legally registered in Hong Kong or Macao, and may stay in Hainan for no more than 144 hours.
Ports of Entry: All open ports of entry in Hainan Province (Haikou Meilan Airport, Sanya Phoenix Airport, Qionghai Boao Airport, etc.).
Visa-free methods and reasons for entry: After arriving in Hong Kong or Macao, travelers may visit Hainan in a group organized by travel agencies legally registered in Hong Kong and 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 are eligible to enter China visa-free through cruise ports in thirteen cities, including Haikou and Sanya in Hainan Province, and may remain in China for no more than 15 days.
Ports of Entry: The thirteen designated cruise ports are located in Haikou, Sanya, Tianjin, Dalian, Shanghai, Lianyungang, Wenzhou, Zhoushan, Qingdao, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Beihai.
Reasons for visa-free entry: International tour groups arriving on 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 for entry under the national visa-free entry policy, the 240-hour-visa-free entry policy,and the Hainan 61 country visa-free entry policy, it's recommended to enter under the national visa.一free entry policy first.

2.Travelers from ten countries (Russia, Ukraine, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, Lithuania, Mexico, the Czech Republic, and Indonesia) who are noteligible for visa-free entry under the national visa-free-entry policy but are eligible for visa-free entry under the 240-hour-visa-free transit policy as well as Hainan's 59-country visa-free entry policy may choose the policy most suited to their purpose of entry, scope of travel, and length of stay.

3.Travelers who need to apply for a visa for legitimate and reasonable purposes during their visa-free stay in Hainan must apply to the Exit and Entry Administration Department of the Hainan Province Public Security Bureau before the end of the 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 61-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.