China Visa Requirements 2026
Visa requirements for China: evisa (apply online) for up to 30-60 days (visa); 240h transit visa-free at major cities, $140 USD (US tourist visa) / varies. Updated 30 May 2026. Plus passport rules, customs, and prohibited items.
China visa at a glance
- Policy
- eVisa (apply online)
- Length of stay
- 30-60 days (visa); 240h transit visa-free at major cities
- Cost
- $140 USD (US tourist visa) / varies
- Passport
- Valid 6+ months.
- Official source
- bio.visaforchina.org
30-day visa-free for ~24 countries (most EU, AU, NZ; not US/UK) since 2024. 240-hour transit visa-free at major cities. Otherwise full visa required (US tourist visa $140, EU varies).
Visa required for most. Transit visa-free 72-144h at major airports. Visa policies change frequently – check latest.
Customs allowances
400 cigarettes, 1.5L alcohol. ¥5,000 max goods value.
Prohibited items
VPN apps. Political/religious material. Strict drug laws. Don't photograph military. GPS devices may be confiscated at borders.
Frequently asked questions about China visas
Do I need a visa to visit China?
eVisa (apply online) applies for China: 30-day visa-free for ~24 countries (most EU, AU, NZ; not US/UK) since 2024. 240-hour transit visa-free at major cities. Otherwise full visa required (US tourist visa $140, EU varies).
How much does a China visa cost?
The China visa costs $140 USD (US tourist visa) / varies. This is the published fee on the official application channel (bio.visaforchina.org/). Third-party visa agents charge extra; apply directly via the official site to avoid markup.
How long can I stay in China?
The standard evisa (apply online) allows 30-60 days (visa); 240h transit visa-free at major cities per entry. Most policies are extendable in-country at an immigration office for an additional fee — check the official source for current extension rules. Visa runs (leaving and re-entering to reset the clock) are increasingly scrutinised; do not rely on them.
What passport validity does China require?
Valid 6+ months.
Where do I apply for a China visa?
Apply directly at the official government source: https://bio.visaforchina.org/. Many third-party sites charge inflated fees for the same form. Always check the URL ends in a government domain (.gov, .gov.<country>, or the country's official immigration domain) before paying.