China

China allows nationals of 57 countries to stay visa-free for up to 10 days while transiting to a third destination. Eligible nationalities, requirements, 65 authorized ports of entry, permitted travel areas and how the stay is calculated: VisasNews explains how China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy works.

Starting September 15, 2026, Chinese authorities will be able to ban foreign nationals from entering the country for one to five years if they submit false documents or make false statements when applying for a visa or seeking entry at the border.

For a long time lagging behind in the digitalization of visas, China is now entering a new phase. In a set of measures released on March 20, Beijing for the first time refers to the introduction of an electronic visa, while continuing to expand its visa-free policies and streamline entry procedures.

According to the National Immigration Administration, more than 30 million foreign nationals entered China without a visa in 2025, amid a strong recovery in cross-border travel and the modernization of entry procedures, notably marked by the gradual rollout of a digital arrival card.

Visa fees for travel to China will continue to benefit from a reduced rate until December 31, 2026, in accordance with a decision recently confirmed by the Chinese authorities.

Chinese authorities have announced the extension, through December 31, 2026, of the fingerprint collection waiver for short-term visa applications. This measure, echoed by numerous Chinese embassies and visa centers abroad, is part of the ongoing easing of entry requirements introduced since the reopening of the country’s borders.