China has made a policy for visa-free travel, facilitating international access and enabling more foreigners to come to the country. In line with this policy, it has also been developing visa-free access to a number of countries, coupled with an expansion in transit options. This is also in line with the effort of China to advance better connectivity with the rest of the world and build closer relations at the international level. It will then make China more accessible to tourists, businesspersons, and cultural exchange projects, eventually helping the country achieve higher global engagement and economic growth.

Visa-free entry into China: 15 Day Visa-free Entry

Just brought up is a 15-day visa-free entrance system that China has introduced for passport holders from some countries. This allows the travellers the freedom to enjoy the country without going through the tedious department for a visa. As long as you come from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, it means that you will have nothing to do with obtaining a visa when visiting China within 15 days. To concretize the above, this has been legally advised on and implemented as of December 31, 2025, to give you ample time to make all arrangements before your visit to China. It is even more generous for visitors from Singapore because it lasts up to 30 days, allowing them a more extended period to explore the vast landscapes and cultural sites that China has in store.

Use the Port Visa Service as an Alternative:

Those whose nationalities are not on the list of countries eligible for the visa-free arrangement or who wish to stay longer than two weeks should use the Port Visa Service as an alternative. With this service, you're provided a visa upon entry at the chosen ports, thus presenting you from the inconveniences related to embassy visits or at times even visa interviews. When your tour booking is confirmed with a local travel service, it turns out to be a convenient and cost-effective way to ensure that more and more travellers can discover the offering of China without following a traditional visa process.

Transit Policies

China's transit policies allow travellers from eligible countries to explore select cities without a visa for short stays of up to 144 hours. These policies make it easier for international visitors to experience China's key destinations during layovers.

144-Hour Visa-Free Transit

The 144-hour visa-free transit policy in China allows eligible travellers from 54 countries to stay in China for up to six days without a visa for transit purposes. This applies to passengers transiting through Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Chengdu, Xiamen, and Wuhan. Travellers can leave the capital city and explore other cities within the policy's scope. However, the 72-hour limit applies only when transiting through two Chinese cities, not for direct travel between cities.

72-Hour and 24-Hour Transit Policies

China also offers 72-hour and 24-hour visa-free transit for passengers with stopovers of less than three days and one day, respectively. These policies make it easier to explore Chinese cities during short layovers. Hong Kong and Macau have their own visa-free entry policies, providing additional travel options for visitors to China.

Explore China Hassle-Free

China's more open visa-free policy aims to make the country more accessible to visitors, facilitating exploration of its ancient wonders, modern innovations, and rich cultural heritage. This policy change makes it easier for travellers from neighbouring countries and those in transit to visit China for business or tourism purposes. With streamlined entry options, China welcomes visitors to discover its vast landscapes, historical sites, and vibrant cities.

Visa-Free Transit for Tour Groups

China has also announced the extension of its visa-free transit policy to certain tour groups. For example, visitors arriving in groups through travel agencies in Hong Kong or Macao can stay for 144 hours without a visa in the Pearl River Delta region, though cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai are included. Moreover, the visa-free policy for 144 hours for foreign tourist groups to Hainan coming from Hong Kong or Macao was approved, effective July 30, 2024.

Visa-free Travel for Cruise Ship Tourist

From May 15, 2024, foreign tourist groups entering China via a cruise can avail of the visa-free policy. As the press service announced, the policy is for not less than 2 people in an organised cruise, which local tourists can visit 13 coastal cities of the country, such as Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc., with a visa-free stay for not more than 15 days.

Special Cards and Residence Permits

Special cards and residence permits in China provide streamlined entry and exit options for eligible foreign nationals, offering long-term flexibility for business, work, and travel. These permits and cards simplify the process for those who meet specific criteria, enhancing accessibility to China's vast opportunities.

1. APEC Business Travel Card Holders

The APEC Business Travel Card provides holders with simplified entry procedures into China, including exemptions from certain visa requirements. This card is beneficial for frequent business travellers to China and other APEC economies, offering flexibility and ease. Holders can enjoy multiple entries within six months, visa-free travel for one year, and a stay of up to 60 days in China. The card is valid for five years.

2. Aliens' Residence Permits

China offers visa-free entry for certain individuals with residence permits. Long-term residents with Chinese residence permits can travel in and out of China without a visa for various purposes, including work, business, family visits, and travel. Permanent residence card holders benefit from unlimited visa-free travel. Foreigners with valid residence permits issued by Chinese authorities can also enter and exit visa-free, provided their activities align with the permit's purpose.

Conclusion 

China's new visa-free travel policy and streamlined international entry procedures can be seen as nothing but a big stride in opening up the country to the world. By paving the way for easier access to this country from different travellers and providing them with better transit facilities, China is not only aspiring to display its colourful cultural heritage and vibrant cities to the world but also to strengthen global links. It will promote tourism, international business contacts, and cultural exchanges, and thus help to develop China into one of the world's great centres. As the world becomes more integrated, this far-sighted Chinese approach towards international travel will undoubtedly assume a vital role in determining its future on the world scene.