China visa free countries 2026

PART A: Basic Eligibility Screening

Instructions: Answer each question honestly. Any “NO” or “UNSURE” response does not automatically disqualify you, but requires professional review before travel.

A1. Nationality Check

Question: Is your passport issued by one of the following 50 countries?

Albania, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada (added Feb 2026), Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, United Kingdom (added Feb 2026), Ukraine

• YES — My passport is issued by one of the countries listed above.
• NO — My passport is issued by a country NOT on this list.
• UNSURE — I hold dual/multiple citizenship.

If NO: You are NOT eligible for the 30-day visa-free policy. You must apply for a standard visa (L/M/F) through the COVA system or consult us for alternative entry routes.

If UNSURE: The passport you present at the Chinese border determines your eligibility. Presenting a non-eligible passport will result in denial of entry even if you hold eligible citizenship.

A2. Passport Validity

Question: Is your passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from China?

• YES — Expires on or after [DATE: ______]
• NO — Expires before [DATE: ______]
• UNSURE — My passport is currently being renewed / I have applied for a new one.

If NO: Renew your passport before travel. China will deny entry if your passport expires within 6 months of your planned exit date.

If UNSURE: Do not book flights until your new passport is in hand. Airlines will deny boarding without a valid passport meeting the 6-month rule.

A3. Passport Type

Question: What type of passport do you hold?

• Ordinary / Regular passport (standard tourist/business passport)
• Diplomatic passport
• Official / Service passport
• Emergency / Temporary travel document
• Other

Critical Note: ONLY ordinary (regular) passports qualify for the 30-day visa-free policy. Diplomatic, official, service, and emergency passports are NOT eligible regardless of nationality.

If non-ordinary: You must apply for the appropriate visa type through official channels. Contact your embassy or consult us for guidance.

A4. Purpose of Visit

Question: What is the PRIMARY purpose of your visit to China?

• Tourism / Sightseeing
• Business meetings / Conferences / Trade fairs
• Visiting family or friends
• Transit to a third country
• Cultural / Educational exchange (short-term)
• Work (paid employment, contract signing, service provision)
• Study (degree program, language course, research)
• Journalism / Media reporting
• Long-term residence (over 30 days)
• Other

Eligible purposes: Tourism, business (non-paid), family visits, transit, short-term exchange.

Prohibited purposes under visa-free entry: Work, study, journalism, long-term residence, diplomatic activities.

If prohibited purpose selected: You MUST apply for the correct visa type (Z-work, X-study, J-journalist, or residence permit). Using visa-free entry for a prohibited purpose is grounds for immediate deportation and future entry bans.

PART B: Travel Plan Verification

B1. Intended Duration of Stay

Question: How many days do you plan to stay in China?

• 1–14 days
• 15–21 days
• 22–30 days
• 31 days or more
• UNSURE — My plans are flexible.

Maximum allowed: 30 calendar days from the date of entry. The count includes your entry day and runs until 23:59 on the 30th day.

If 31+ days: You must apply for a standard visa (L-visa allows up to 90 days) or plan a visa run/exit and re-entry strategy. Consult us for multi-entry options.

If UNSURE: Book your return/onward ticket for Day 30 or earlier. You can always leave early; overstaying is not an option.

B2. Entry & Exit Plan

Question: Do you have a confirmed onward or return ticket with a fixed date?

• YES — Return ticket to [COUNTRY: ___________] on [DATE: ______]
• YES — Onward ticket to [COUNTRY: ___________] on [DATE: ______]
• NO — I plan to book my return/onward ticket after arrival.
• NO — I have an open-ended ticket / flexible booking.

Requirement: You must present a confirmed ticket with a fixed date at check-in and immigration. Open-ended tickets, reservations without confirmed seats, or “book later” plans will likely result in denied boarding.

If NO: Purchase a confirmed ticket before departure. Airlines are required to verify your onward travel and will refuse boarding without it.

B3. Port of Entry

Question: Which city/airport/port will you use to enter China?

Planned entry point: _______________________________

Note: The 30-day visa-free policy applies at ALL ports of entry (air, land, sea) for eligible nationalities. However, some smaller ports may have less English-speaking staff or longer processing times.

Recommended major ports with full English support: – Beijing (Capital / Daxing) – Shanghai (Pudong / Hongqiao) – Guangzhou (Baiyun) – Shenzhen (Bao’an) – Chengdu (Tianfu / Shuangliu) – Hangzhou (Xiaoshan) – Xiamen (Gaoqi)

B4. Accommodation Plan

Question: Where will you stay during your visit?

• Licensed hotel (3-star or above recommended)
• Budget hotel / hostel
• Airbnb / short-term rental
• Friend’s / family member’s home
• Multiple locations (mixed)
• UNSURE — Haven’t booked yet.

Important: – Hotels: Automatic registration with police. No action required from you. – Non-hotel stays (Airbnb, private homes): You MUST register at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival. Failure to register can result in fines of ¥2,000+ and deportation.

If non-hotel: We strongly recommend consulting us for the registration process, required documents, and nearest police station location.

PART C: Compliance & Risk History

C1. Previous China Entry History

Question: Have you previously entered China?

• NO — This is my first visit.
• YES — I have visited before without issues.
• YES — I have had issues (see below).

If YES with issues, check all that apply: 

[ ] Overstayed my visa or visa-free period

[ ] Worked without proper work authorization

[ ] Failed to register accommodation within 24 hours

[ ] Was denied entry at the border

[ ] Was deported or removed from China

[ ] Received a fine or penalty from Chinese authorities

[ ] Other

Critical: Any of the above within the past 5 years may result in automatic denial of visa-free entry. You should apply for a standard visa and disclose the history, or consult us for a risk assessment.

C2. Legal & Security Status

Question: Are you currently subject to any of the following?

• Listed on any sanctions list (UN, EU, US, or Chinese)
• Subject to an Interpol Red Notice
• Subject to a travel ban or entry prohibition from China
• Previously deported from China with a re-entry ban
• None of the above

If any checked: You are likely ineligible for visa-free entry and may be ineligible for any form of Chinese visa. Consult us for a confidential assessment.

C3. Health & Special Considerations

Question: Do any of the following apply to you?

• I have a serious medical condition requiring ongoing treatment in China
• I am traveling with prescription medications that may be restricted in China
• I have severe food allergies or dietary restrictions
• I am traveling with minors without both parents present
• I require wheelchair accessibility or mobility assistance
• None of the above

Note: While none of these disqualify you from visa-free entry, they may require additional preparation (medical certificates, allergy translation cards, parental consent letters, accessibility confirmations).

PART D: Special Destination Requirements

D1. Tibet Travel

Question: Do you plan to visit Tibet (Tibet Autonomous Region)?

• NO
• YES — I understand I need a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP).
• MAYBE — I’m considering it.

If YES or MAYBE: – The TTP is MANDATORY for all foreign nationals, including those eligible for 30-day visa-free entry. – Independent travel is PROHIBITED. You must travel with a licensed Tibetan tour agency. – Processing time: 10–15 business days. – Additional permits may be required for Everest Base Camp, Ali Loop, or border areas.

We strongly recommend consulting us for TTP application and compliant itinerary design.

D2. Other Restricted Areas

Question: Do you plan to visit any of the following?

• Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
• Military zones or border areas
• Areas requiring special permits (non-open areas)
• None of the above / Only major cities

If any checked: Additional permits or security clearances may be required. Some areas have heightened police presence and travel restrictions for foreign nationals.

PART E: Digital Requirements

E1. Digital Arrival Card

Question: Are you aware of the mandatory Digital Arrival Card requirement?

• YES — I know I must complete it within 24 hours before arrival.
• NO — I have not heard of this requirement.
• UNSURE — I don’t know how to complete it.

Mandatory for ALL foreign nationals since 2025: – Must be completed within 24 hours before arrival – Available via: official portal, 12367 app, WeChat mini-program, Alipay mini-program – Generates a QR code that border officers scan – The interface is primarily in Mandarin

If NO or UNSURE: We offer a Digital Arrival Card setup service ($19) where we walk you through the process, pre-fill your data, and ensure your QR code is valid.

E2. Payment & Connectivity Preparation

Question: Have you prepared the following for your trip?

• Downloaded a working VPN for China
• Set up or planned to set up Alipay / WeChat Pay
• Arranged a Chinese SIM card or eSIM
• Downloaded offline maps (Baidu Maps / Amap)
• None of the above / I need help with all of these

Note: These are not entry requirements, but lack of preparation will severely impact your experience in China (Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and most Western apps do not work without a VPN).

PART F: Self-Assessment Summary

Scoring Guide

Count your responses:

Category	Your Count	Risk Level
✅ YES (Pass)	___ / 10	—
⚠️ UNSURE (Review Needed)	___ / 10	Elevated
❌ NO (Potential Blocker)	___ / 10	High Risk

Overall Assessment

• GREEN — LOW RISK: All Part A questions answered YES. You likely qualify for 30-day visa-free entry. Proceed with standard preparation.
• YELLOW — MEDIUM RISK: 1–2 UNSURE responses, or minor compliance history. Recommend a $30 consultation to review before booking.
• RED — HIGH RISK: Any NO response in Part A, or significant compliance history. Do not book flights until consulting with us. A $99 full assessment is strongly recommended.

PART G: Next Steps

If GREEN (Low Risk):

1. Complete your Digital Arrival Card 24 hours before departure
2. Ensure your return/onward ticket is confirmed
3. Download our free China Entry Checklist
4. Consider our $19 Single-Topic Consultation for any specific concerns

If YELLOW (Medium Risk):

1. Book a $30 Eligibility Review 
2. We will provide a written assessment and action plan
3. Do not book non-refundable flights until cleared

If RED (High Risk):

1. Book a $99 Full Risk Assessment — Comprehensive review of your case
2. We will identify alternative entry routes or visa strategies
3. We may recommend engaging a visa attorney for complex cases

Disclaimer

This self-assessment is based on policies issued by the National Immigration Administration of China (NIA) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs as of July 2026. Policies change frequently and without advance notice. This form does not constitute legal advice. Final entry decisions are made by Chinese immigration officers at the port of entry, who retain full discretion. We strongly recommend verifying all information 72 hours before departure.

Completed by: ___________________
Date: ______
Email: ___________________
Planned travel dates: ______ to ______

Submit this form to: 13546401717@139.com