As of February 2025, China's visa-free policy continues to be optimized and its coverage expanded, aiming to promote international travel and tourism. The following are the main policy points:

I. Unilateral visa waiver policy

1. 38 generic passports are visa free.

Since November 30, 2024, China will trial unilateral visa waiver for ordinary passport holders from 38 countries, with the addition of nine countries including Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia and Japan. The period of visa-free stay was extended from 15 to 30 days for travel, business, family visits, exchange visits and transit.  

Countries previously covered include France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

2. 12 countries extend visa waiver policy.

China will be France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Twelve countries, including Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg, extend their short-term visa-free policies until December 31, 2025, allowing a 15-day visa-free stay for business, travel, family visits and transit.

II. Visa Waiver and Regional Visa Waiver.

1. 144 hours of transit visa free.

Foreign nationals transiting through 20 urban ports, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, can enjoy 144 hours (6 days) visa-free stay, allowing cross-provincial and city activities, and further expanding the national scope.

2. Regional pilot visa-free.

 Hainan 59 visa-free : applicable to tourism, business activities, stay no more than 30 days.  

ASEAN tourist groups are visa-free: From February 10, 2025, tourist groups from ASEAN countries can enter the country without a visa through Xishuangbanna Port in Yunnan Province and stay for 15 days.

3. Additional convenience measures.

Payment and transportation optimization: Promote the use of mobile payments and offshore bank cards by expatriates, simplify the process of appointments at scenic spots and accommodation registration, and pilot the "buy and return" exit tax refund model. In October 2024, the size of mobile payment transactions for immigrants had already tripled in February.  

- ** International flight recovery * *: International flights resumed in the first half of 2024 to 81.7 percent of the same period in 2019, reducing the cost of travel to China.

4. Policy effectiveness and future direction

Continued opening plan: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it will further expand the scope of visa-free countries , optimize visa procedures, and promote the inclusion of more cities in transit-free zones.

5 .Applying country inquiries.

A complete list of visa-free countries can be found on the official website of China's National Immigration Administration. Some examples of new countries: Japan, Bulgaria, Romania, etc.; Previously covered include France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Thailand and others.  

For dynamic updates or specific implementation of the rules, it is recommended to refer to the official announcements of the National Migration Administration or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.