Please note:
To further facilitate cross-border travel , China has extended its unilateral visa-free policy for 45 countries including New Zealand until 24:00 on 31 December 2026. Holders of ordinary passports from the above-mentioned countries may enter China without a visa for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit, for a stay of no more than 30 days. Those who do not meet the visa-free requirements must still obtain a Chinese visa prior to entry. For frequently asked questions and answers, please refer to the “FAQs on China’s Trial Visa-Free Policy for New Zealand and Other Countries.”
Foreign nationals may enter China without a visa under the following circumstances:
(1) Bilateral Agreement
According to the bilateral treaties or agreements signed or reached between China and some foreign countries, citizens of these countries who meet certain requirements may enter China without visas. For specific information, please refer to the Details of Mutual Visa Exemption Agreements;
(2) Unilateral Visa Exemption Policies
Citizens holding ordinary passports from certain countries may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit, for a stay of no more than 30 days.
(3) Direct Transit
Foreigners who hold connected passengers tickets and are in transit to a third country or region by an international aircraft, ship or train via China do not need a Chinese visa, if they stay for no more than 24 hours in China without leaving the port of entry. For information on China’s 72-hour and 144-hour visa-free transit policy, please refer to Visa-Free Transit Policies for Foreign Nationals
(4) Holders of Valid Foreigner Residence Permits Issued by Chinese Public Security Authorities
Foreign nationals traveling to China for study, employment, work assignment, family reunion, long-term family visits, or as resident foreign journalists must, after entry, apply to the public security authorities for residence permit. During the validity period of the residence permit, the holders may reside in China and enter or exit China multiple times without the need to apply separately for a visa.
(5) Holders of a Valid Foreigner’s Permanent Residence ID Card of the People’s Republic of China
(6) Holders of a Valid APEC Business Travel Card (including virtual cards)
(7) Regional Visa-Free Entry Policies for Foreign Nationals
The above mentioned policies and arrangements may be adjusted from time to time. It is recommended that travelers consult the relevant Chinese embassies or consulates, or the National Immigration Administration of China, before departure.
