Q: Who does the visa waiver apply to?

A: Nationals  of 38 countries including Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain,  Holland, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium,  Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus,  Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco,  Liechtenstein, Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North  Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan holding valid ordinary  passports can be exempted from visa requirement if entering into China  for the purpose of business, tourism, family or friends visits,  exchange and transit. They can stay in China for no more than 30 days  without visa.

Q: Do foreign nationals eligible for a visa waiver need to make declarations to Chinese embassies and consulates in advance?

A:  Foreign nationals eligible for a visa waiver do not need to declare in  advance to Chinese embassies and consulates before entering China  without a visa.

Q:  Will the purpose of intended stay in China be examined by Chinese  border inspection authorities when entering China? How will it be  done? Are other documents needed for entering China in addition to a  passport?

A:  Foreign nationals traveling for purposes of business, tourism, family  or friends visits，exchange and transit that meet the visa waiver  requirements can be allowed to enter China without a visa upon  examination and approval in accordance with law by border inspection  authorities. Entry into China shall be denied by border inspection  authorities in accordance with law to foreign nationals who travel for  purposes that do not meet the visa waiver requirements or who are not  allowed to enter China in accordance with laws and regulations. It is  recommended to take documents such as invitation letters, air  tickets and reservations of accommodation as a proof corresponding to  the purposes of entry into China. Visa waiver does not apply to those  who come to China for work, study, journalistic or alike purposes.

Q: Is there any additional requirement for minors eligible for a visa waiver?

A: Visa waiver requirements for minors are the same as for adults.

Q: Are there any requirements on the type and validity of entry documents?

A:  For foreign nationals, an ordinary passport valid for at least the  duration of intended stay in China is needed. Holders of travel  documents or temporary or emergency documents other than ordinary  passports are not allowed to enter into China without a visa.

Q: How to calculate the duration of stay of 30 days?

A:  Foreign nationals eligible for a visa waiver may stay in China  continuously without a visa from the date of entry to the 30th calendar  day until 24:00.

Q: Does the visa waiver apply to foreign nationals who travel from a third country?

A: Eligible foreign nationals can depart for China from any country or region.

Q: Does the visa waiver apply to foreign nationals who travel by forms of transport other than aviation?

A:  The visa waiver applies to all travelers coming to China through any  sea, road and air port open to foreign nationals (except where laws,  regulations and bilateral arrangements specify  otherwise). For arrivals in China by private transport, certain  procedures for entry and exit of means of transport shall be processed  in accordance with relevant laws and regulations of China.

Q: Does the visa waiver apply to tour groups?

A: The visa waiver applies to eligible foreign nationals either in tour groups or as individuals.

Q: If the length of intended stay exceeds 30 days, can the visa waiver be extended?

A:  Foreign nationals planning to stay in China for over 30 days  shall apply for visas corresponding to their purposes of stay in advance  at Chinese embassies or consulates. If they have to stay longer than 30  days for appropriate and sufficient reasons after entering China  without a visa, they shall apply for stay permits to the exit and entry  administrations of public security authorities of China.

Q:  Does the visa waiver allow multiple entries? Is there any requirement  on the length of intervals between each entry, or any restriction on  the number of entries without a visa or total days of stay?

A:  Foreign nationals eligible for the visa waiver can enter China without a  visa for multiple times. Currently there is no restriction on the  number of entries or total days of stay, but those who enjoy visa-free  travel to China shall not engage in activities inconsistent with their  purposes of entry.