1. Three ways in
ℹ Official sources firstAlways check the latest rules on the official China visa website visaforchina.cn ↗. At present, most European citizens can enter China visa-free for tourism stays of under 30 days; if you do need a visa and are already abroad, you can usually apply through one of the Chinese Visa Application Service Centres available in many countries.
| Route | Who | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Mutual visa-free | Passports of countries with mutual agreements (Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Georgia, Kazakhstan…) | Short stays (usually ≤30 days) with no visa |
| Unilateral visa-free | China's unilateral trial list (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Portugal, Greece, Hungary, Switzerland, Ireland, Poland, Australia, NZ, Japan, S. Korea… — list changes) | Ordinary-passport short trips visa-free; cumulative stays usually ≤30 days |
| Transit visa-free | Transiting China to a third country | Enter at designated ports, exit within the allowed window (24/72/144 h; some ports longer) |
| Regular visa | Everyone else | Apply for an L (tourist) visa via embassy/consulate or a visa centre |
⚠ The list movesCovered countries, stay lengths and ports shift often, with explicit start/end windows. Any blog (this one included) can lag — the only reliable source is the Chinese embassy/consulate or the National Immigration Authority.
2. Getting an L tourist visa
- Find your jurisdiction: file at the embassy/consulate or China Visa Application Service Centre for your residence (e.g. CSC centres in the US, CVASC in the UK);
- Documents: passport (6+ months validity, 2+ blank pages) + application form (filled online, printed) + white-background photo + trip materials (return flight booking, hotel bookings or itinerary); some jurisdictions add employment proof or bank statements for first-timers;
- Submit & biometrics: most jurisdictions require in-person fingerprints;
- Wait: typically 4–5 working days; expedited 1–3 days for a fee;
- Check the visa: name spelling, validity, entries (single/double/multiple) and stay per entry.
Fees vary by nationality and entry count (e.g. a flat rate for US passports; elsewhere roughly US$30–140 single-entry). The centre's live pricing prevails.
3. At the border
- Arrival card: some ports have restored paper/electronic cards — fill truthfully;
- Questions: purpose, length of stay, accommodation — keep your hotel's Chinese address and booking on your phone;
- Fingerprints: foreign nationals are fingerprinted at entry (some exemptions);
- Customs: declare cash over ¥20,000 RMB or US$5,000 equivalent; animal/plant products and above-personal medicine may need declaration or return.
4. FAQ
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Can visa-free stays be extended? | Generally no. If truly necessary, apply at the local exit-entry administration before expiry — approval is theirs to give. |
| Do HK/Macao/Taiwan follow mainland rules? | No — separate systems. Mainland visas don't cover HK/Macao and vice versa. |
| Do I need extra permits for Tibet? | Foreign nationals need the Tibet Travel Permit via a licensed agency; HK/Macao/Taiwan rules differ — confirm. |
| How is a "30-day stay" counted? | From the day after entry — day 30 by midnight; leave buffer. |
5. Verify before you fly (important)
- Official China visa site — visaforchina.cn ↗
- Announcements from the Chinese embassy in your country
- National Immigration Administration (NIA) publications
- The visa centre's official customer service
- Your airline (carriers check visa compliance at boarding)
ℹ A safe habitScreenshot the official policy page (with date). If check-in or border officers ask, you can show it live. The Chinese original is authoritative; English pages may lag.