China Entry and Exit Requirements and Procedures 2026

Written by Sally Guo Updated Nov. 27, 2025

Citizens from over 70 countries can enter China without a visa for stays ranging from 10 to 30 days.

If you are from the US, the UK, Canada, or 52 other countries, you may qualify for a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit in China.

If you are from Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, or 41 other countries, you can enjoy a 30-day visa-free stay. This policy is extended through the end of 2026!

If your country isn't on this list, we offer a Port Visa Service for just USD 100 per person when you book a tour with us. No embassy visits or visa interviews are required, saving you a lot of hassle.

China opened its borders to tourists on March 15, 2023. If you are planning to visit China, it's important to understand the entry and exit requirements and procedures that apply to international travelers.

Now, inbound and outbound travelers no longer need to complete the China Health Declaration Form or provide a negative COVID-19 test result.

China Entry Requirements

To enter China, you must have a valid passport and a Chinese visa unless you are eligible for a visa-free entry or a visa-on-arrival.

Note: Though you are not required to complete the China Health Declaration Card and provide the COVID-19 test result before entering the Mainland, you still need to inform the customs and cooperate for health checks if you have symptoms like fever, cough, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash, or if you've been diagnosed with a contagious disease.

China Arrival Card 2026

Most international travelers, including those with visa exemptions or regular visas, need to fill out a China Arrival Card before entering the country. This can be done online or on paper upon arrival.

You are now able to submit your entry details online before arrival through the NIA's official website and WeChat (Alipay) mini program or by scanning a QR code.

Filling China Arrival Card — China Arrival Card Website - from NIA Government Service Platform

Who doesn't need to fill out the China Arrival Card?

The following persons are exempt from filling in:

1. Foreigners with a valid Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card of China.

2. Foreigners with a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents.

3. Foreigners transiting directly within 24 hours without leaving the restricted area of the port.

4. Members of foreign tourist groups who are visa-free or holding a group visa.

5. Foreign crew members, drivers, and other employees of transport vehicles.

6. Foreigners who enter by cruise ship and return on the original cruise.

7. Individuals are eligible for the courteous treatment of centralized submission of entry and exit documents.

8. Foreigners who enter through the E-channel.

Customs Procedures

China's customs channels are divided into two types: the red channel (also called the tax channel) and the green channel (also called a free channel).

Red Channel

Foreign travelers usually enter China through the red channel. They must declare first to customs after filling in the passenger baggage declaration form, and can enter after registration at customs.

The completed customs declaration form must be presented again when leaving China. The form must be filled in truthfully and accurately, and those who provide false information or fail to declare items will be subject to legal action by customs once identified.

The items exceeding the maximum limit listed in the document table should be processed according to other relevant provisions.

Green Channel

Foreign personnel who have been granted a diplomatic visa-passport or courtesy visa-passport by the Chinese authorities or granted a free-of-examination courtesy can choose the green channel. But they have to show their credentials to the customs and the declaration document table filled out according to the requirements.

Hygiene Quarantine Requirements for Entering China

Foreigners entering China must truthfully fill in health declaration forms as requested by border quarantine departments. Failure to report infectious diseases may result in punishment for evading quarantine and prevention from entering China upon identification. Those who have entered China without reporting an infectious disease may be ordered to leave in advance.

Infectious patients from affected areas must present a valid certificate of immunization against diseases (commonly known as the "yellow book"). If they do not have a valid certificate, the Frontier Health and Quarantine infected organs will run a test for six days from the day they leave the infected environment.

Commodities from areas that may have been contaminated by infectious diseases or become media articles of epidemic diseases are subject to health and sanitation inspection and quarantine treatment.

People Forbidden from Entering China

The following individuals are not allowed to enter China:

A. Those who have been deported from China are under the regulated age.

B. Those who are considered possible terrorists or may undertake violence and subversive activities after entering.

C. Those who are suspected of possible smuggling, drug trafficking, and prostitution activities.

D. Those who have mental illnesses or have leprosy, AIDS, venereal diseases, open tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases.

E. Those who cannot afford what is needed in China.

F. Those who are considered to possibly engage in activities that endanger the security and interests of China after entering.

The frontier checkpoint has the right to prevent the following individuals from entering:

A. Those who have no valid passports, certificates, or visas.

B. Those who have forged, defaced, or altered other people's passports or certificates.

C. Those who refuse to be inspected.

D. Those who are forbidden to enter by the Ministry of Public Security and the National Security Ministry.

Exiting China

Foreign tourists must leave China within the allowed time limit of their visa from the allocated port. They must present effective passports or other effective certificates to the port border checkpoint.

People Forbidden to Leave China

A. Defendants in a criminal case or criminal suspects identified by the people's procuratorates, public security organs, or the court.

B. Individuals are not allowed to leave the country due to unsettled civil cases, according to the People's Court notice.

C. Others whose behaviors have violated China's laws and have been identified by competent authorities as needing pursuit.

The border authorities have the right to prevent the following individuals from leaving China:

A. Those who hold invalid certificates.