How do I check whether I need a visa?
Look up your passport nationality and passport type in the relevant official entry guidance. Then check the permitted purpose, length of stay and any conditions attached to that arrangement. The National Immigration Administration publishes China's unilateral visa-exemption list; mutual agreements and other arrangements can differ. Do this before making non-refundable bookings, and check again before departure.
National Immigration Administration: unilateral visa exemption list
Is visa-free transit the same as visa-free entry?
No. The 240-hour transit arrangement requires an eligible passport, a qualifying port, travel within the permitted areas and a confirmed onward journey to a third country or region. A simple return trip from one country to mainland China and back to the same country does not meet that third-destination condition. Check the complete route, including connecting stops, against the current NIA policy.
National Immigration Administration: visa-free transit policies
Can I leave the airport during a short transit?
Do not assume an airside transit exemption lets you enter the city. NIA's 24-hour transit guidance distinguishes remaining in the restricted port area from leaving it; a temporary entry permit is required to leave that area. Whether your particular journey qualifies is for the immigration authority to determine. Allow for border procedures and the return trip to the airport before planning a city visit.
National Immigration Administration: visa-free transit policies
Does mainland entry permission cover Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan?
Check each destination separately. Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan operate their own entry arrangements; permission for mainland China is not a substitute. A trip that leaves and later returns to the mainland also needs a valid basis for that next entry. Review the immigration requirements for every stop before buying a cross-border flight, train or ferry ticket.
Hong Kong Immigration Department: visit and transit
Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs: visa-exempt entry
National Immigration Administration: unilateral visa exemption list
Where do I complete the arrival card?
If you need to complete a foreigner arrival card, use the National Immigration Administration's official service. Online completion is free. You can also use the official NIA 12367 channels; port devices and paper cards remain available if you cannot complete the form online before arrival. The card records arrival information and does not grant a visa or guarantee admission.
National Immigration Administration: official arrival-card service
National Immigration Administration: November 2025 immigration service measures
Complete the official arrival card (free)What should I keep ready for border checks?
Keep your passport, your first accommodation address and confirmed onward bookings accessible. If using visa-free transit, check the permitted area before setting your route. Read the permission and dates issued at entry rather than relying on an old travel article.
National Immigration Administration: visa-free transit policies
National Immigration Administration: unilateral visa exemption list
Arrival guide →Where do I complete the arrival card? · Policy scope verified: 2026-09-06