China Visa Guidance 2025

What Travelers & Business Visitors Need to Know

(last update: August 1st, 2025)

Planning a trip to China for travel or business in 2025? Here’s the latest visa guidance to help you prepare, avoid confusion, and make the most of your visit.

How This Applies to You

No visa required if you’re from an eligible country and staying ≤30 days (see “Visa-Free Entry” section below)
Transit visa-free for up to 10 days if you’re traveling through China to a third country
Otherwise, apply for a business visa (M) following standard procedures

Visa-Free Entry (Up to 30 Days)

Citizens of 47 countries can now enter China without a visa for up to 30 days, whether you’re visiting for business, tourism, or to see family and friends.

Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain

240-Hour Visa-Free Transit (Up to 10 Days)

Travelers from 55 countries can enter China visa-free for up to 240 hours (10 days) if you’re transiting through China to a third country (not returning home).

Applies at 60 ports across 24 provinces, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu
Ideal for short business stops or brief sightseeing

When You Need a Visa

You will need to apply for a visa (usually a business M visa or tourist L visa) if:

You’re not from a visa-free country
Your trip exceeds the 30-day limit

Required documents include:

Completed visa application form (downloadable from your local Chinese embassy or consulate website)
Valid passport (with at least 6 months validity and blank visa pages)
Recent passport-sized photo (according to embassy specifications)
Company introduction letter or invitation letter from a Chinese partner (for M visa)
Itinerary or travel plan (for L visa)
Proof of return flight and accommodation booking (sometimes required for L visa)
Additional documents may be requested depending on your nationality or visa type

How to Apply:

Determine the correct visa type (M for business, L for tourism)
Gather all required documents
Submit your application at your local Chinese embassy or consulate, or via authorized visa service centers (e.g., Visa for China)
Pay the visa fee (varies by country and visa type)
Processing time is typically 4-7 business days, with expedited options available in some regions