Entry permit is a legal prerequisite for foreign travelers to enter China. China’s entry permit system is centered on visa policies, supplemented by diverse permit types to meet different entry purposes and stay needs. To help foreign travelers clearly understand relevant rules, this article systematically breaks down visa policy classifications, entry permit types and application scopes based on the latest 2026 policies, providing comprehensive guidance for compliant entry.
China’s visa policy covers four core types: visa-free, visa-on-arrival, e-visa, and transit visa, each with clear eligibility criteria and scopes. The visa-free policy is divided into unilateral visa-free and bilateral visa-free. Currently, China implements unilateral visa-free access for 65 countries, covering major source countries in Europe, America, Asia, and Oceania. Among them, the visa-free policy for Russian citizens is valid until September 14, 2026, for 46 countries until December 31, 2026, and for Bruneian citizens with no time limit. Eligible travelers holding valid ordinary passports can enter through 65 designated ports and stay for a maximum of 30 consecutive days, limited to non-work activities such as tourism, business investigation, and family visits, and are not allowed to engage in profitable work or long-term residence. Bilateral visa-free is based on inter-state agreements, with the scope of application and stay duration subject to bilateral agreements, commonly used in diplomatic and official travel scenarios.
The visa-on-arrival policy applies to travelers from some countries, who can apply for a visa on-site at the entry port without applying in advance at Chinese embassies or consulates abroad. Currently, China offers visa-on-arrival to 39 countries and regions, including the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Malaysia, etc. Travelers must hold a passport valid for more than 6 months, a return ticket, a hotel reservation, and proof of sufficient funds; travelers from some countries also need to provide an invitation letter. The stay duration for visa-on-arrival is usually 30 to 90 days, subject to port approval, and only applies to purposes such as tourism and short-term business. Overstaying will result in fines or entry restrictions. It should be noted that visa-on-arrival is only available at designated entry ports and cannot be applied at ports not open to visa-on-arrival.
As a convenient visa form, e-visa has currently opened online application channels for multiple countries, covering tourist visas, business visas, and other types. Travelers can submit applications through official websites or platforms designated by Chinese embassies and consulates abroad, upload materials such as passports, photos, and itinerary proofs, and obtain electronic visa documents after approval, which can be used with passports for entry. The processing cycle of e-visa is usually 3-7 working days, and the stay duration is the same as that of paper visas. Travelers must enter China within the validity period of the visa, with no special restrictions on entry ports. The advantage of e-visa is that no offline submission of materials is required, and the process is simplified, making it suitable for travelers with tight schedules. However, its applicable country scope is limited, and it is necessary to confirm in advance whether the country of origin is included.
The transit visa policy is designed specifically for travelers transiting through China to a third country (region), divided into three categories: 24-hour transit visa-free, 72-hour transit visa-free, and 144-hour transit visa-free. The 24-hour transit visa-free applies to travelers from all countries, who can stay for no more than 24 hours when transiting through Chinese ports with a connecting ticket, without applying for a visa; the 72-hour and 144-hour transit visa-free apply to travelers from designated countries, who can stay in the transit city for 72 hours and 144 hours respectively, covering multiple hub cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and their surrounding areas. Transit visas are only for transit purposes, and travelers are not allowed to leave the designated stay area. They must hold valid tickets and documents to the third country (region), and overstaying or violating the stay rules will affect subsequent entry qualifications.
In addition to the above visa policies, China’s entry permit types can be divided into tourist permits, business permits, work permits, study permits, family visit permits, etc., according to the purpose of entry, each with a clear scope of application. Tourist permits are mainly obtained through visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and tourist visas, applicable to non-profit activities such as sightseeing and vacation, with a usual stay duration of no more than 90 days; business permits require applying for a business visa (M visa), applicable to activities such as business investigation, negotiations, and exhibitions, requiring materials such as a Chinese invitation letter and enterprise certificate, with the stay duration determined according to the itinerary.
Work permits require applying for a work visa (Z visa), applicable to foreign nationals coming to China for employment or positions, requiring materials such as approval documents from human resources departments and employment contracts. After entry, it is necessary to apply for a work permit and residence certificate; study permits correspond to study visas (X1/X2 visas). The X1 visa is applicable for long-term study (more than 180 days), requiring materials such as a school admission notice and JW202 form; the X2 visa is applicable for short-term study (no more than 180 days), which can be applied for with the admission notice. Family visit permits can be handled through tourist visas or family visit visas, requiring materials such as proof of kinship and invitation letters, with the stay duration determined according to the kinship and itinerary.
It is particularly reminded that all types of entry permits have clear application boundaries, and no activities beyond the scope of the permit are allowed. For example, working with a tourist visa or staying long-term with a business visa are illegal acts, which will result in permit cancellation, ordered departure and other penalties. In addition, entry permit policies may be adjusted dynamically. Before traveling, travelers should log on to the official website of China’s National Immigration Administration to confirm the applicable policies and latest requirements for their country, ensuring a compliant and smooth entry process.
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