China Ordinary Passport Mutual Visa Exemption Guide: Countries & Rules
If you hold an ordinary passport and want to visit China, do not rely on the words "mutual visa exemption" alone. China has many bilateral exemption agreements, but many of them apply only to diplomatic, service, official, or special passports. Ordinary travelers should first check nationality, passport type, stay limit, and trip purpose.
China's Consular Service publishes the official List of Mutual Visa Exemption Agreements Between China and Foreign Countries. Before travel, check that list together with the latest advice from a Chinese embassy or consulate and your airline.
Last policy verification: July 30, 2026. The official agreement table used here was updated on May 29, 2026. It includes many passport categories; the table on this page filters for agreements relevant to ordinary passports.
Check Eligibility First
For ordinary travelers, use this quick check:
| Check | What You Need |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Your passport country appears in the ordinary-passport mutual exemption list. |
| Passport type | The agreement covers ordinary passports, not only diplomatic, service, official, or special passports. |
| Stay length | Your single stay and cumulative stay fit the agreement, commonly up to 30 days per stay and up to 90 days within 180 days. |
| Trip purpose | Tourism, business, family visits, short exchanges, or transit are commonly covered; work, study, residence, journalism, and similar activities usually require a visa. |
Countries With Ordinary-Passport Mutual Visa Exemption
The list below filters China's official mutual visa exemption table for ordinary-passport relevance. Agreements may still include stay-limit, cumulative-day, purpose, or passport-category restrictions. Check the official agreement table before travel.
Asia11 countries
Europe5 countries
Americas7 countries
Oceania4 countries
Africa2 countries
Note: this list excludes agreements that apply only to diplomatic, service, official, special, or similar passport categories. Countries marked with * have an official note or special wording.
How Long Can You Stay?
Mutual visa exemption is not one single stay-limit policy. Each agreement has its own wording. Common rules include:
- A single stay of up to 30 days.
- A cumulative stay of up to 90 days within 180 days.
- A few country-specific rules or special passport/document categories.
If you plan to exceed the allowed stay or need to work, study, reside long term, or conduct regulated activities, apply for the appropriate visa before travel.
What to Prepare Before Boarding
Visa-free entry does not mean document-free travel. Prepare:
- A valid ordinary passport.
- Return or onward tickets.
- Hotel bookings, itinerary details, or host/invitation information.
- Documents that support your trip purpose, such as a tourism plan, business invitation, or family visit details.
- If you plan multiple entries, a record of cumulative days already spent in China.
Airlines may check your eligibility before boarding, so keep the official agreement page or embassy guidance handy.
Entry Ports
Ordinary-passport mutual exemption normally applies at Chinese ports open to international travelers, subject to the wording of the specific agreement and normal border inspection. Unlike the 240-hour transit policy, it does not generally depend on using one of a special list of 65 transit ports or continuing to a third country.
Always verify that the chosen airport, land crossing, railway port or seaport is open to foreign passengers and that your passport category is covered.
How Mutual Visa Exemption Differs From Other Visa-Free Policies
Use this page when your ordinary passport country has a mutual visa exemption agreement with China. If you are still comparing policies, start with the China visa-free entry overview.
- If your ordinary passport is covered by a mutual exemption agreement, check the agreement's stay limit, cumulative limit, and allowed travel purposes first.
- If there is no ordinary-passport mutual exemption but your country is on China's unilateral list, read the 30-day visa-free entry guide.
- If China is a stopover on your way to a third country or region, read the 240-hour transit guide.
When Not to Rely on Mutual Visa Exemption
- Your agreement does not cover your passport type.
- You plan to work, study, report as a journalist, perform, reside long term, or conduct activities requiring prior approval.
- Your single stay or cumulative stay may exceed the agreement limit.
- Your airline or border officer cannot verify your itinerary, accommodation, or return/onward travel.
