Which Countries Are Visa-Free for China? Updated List
China, with its rich culture and diverse landscapes from the Great Wall to modern cities like Shanghai, is a dream destination for many international travelers. To promote tourism and economic exchange, China has implemented a visa exemption policy for citizens of certain countries. So which countries are exempt from China's visa??
This article will provide an updated list for 2025, the conditions for visa exemption, and necessary information for Vietnamese travelers. Let's explore with NVK Travel to prepare for your trip!
What is China's visa exemption policy?
List of cases eligible for visa exemption in China
China's visa exemption policy allows citizens of certain countries to enter without applying for a visa in advance, for purposes such as tourism, business, visiting relatives, or transit for a specified period. This policy is implemented to:
Promote the tourism industry after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Enhance economic, cultural, and diplomatic exchanges.
Attract entrepreneurs and international tourists to major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
However, Vietnam is not on the list of countries eligible for regular tourist visa exemption. Vietnamese citizens need to apply for a visa (type L for tourism) to enter China, except for certain special cases (see section 3).
List of countries exempt from visa to China in 2025
According to the latest information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and reputable sources, China exempts visas for citizens of 29 countries with a maximum stay of 15-30 days, depending on the country and purpose of entry (tourism, business, visiting relatives, or transit). This policy is extended until 31/12/2025. Below is the list:
Asia
Brunei: Visa exemption for 30 days.
Malaysia: Visa exemption for 15 days (from 01/12/2023).
Maldives: Visa exemption for 30 days.
Qatar: Visa exemption for 30 days.
Singapore: Visa exemption for 30 days.
UAE: Visa exemption for 30 days.
Europe
Austria: Visa exemption for 15 days.
Belgium: Visa exemption for 15 days.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Visa exemption for 30 days.
France: Visa exemption for 15 days.
Germany: Visa exemption for 15 days.
Hungary: Visa exemption for 15 days.
Ireland: Visa exemption for 15 days.
Italy: Visa exemption for 15 days.
Luxembourg: Visa exemption for 15 days.
Netherlands: Visa exemption for 15 days.
Russia: Visa exemption for 30 days.
Serbia: Visa exemption for 30 days.
Spain: Visa exemption for 15 days.
Switzerland: Visa exemption for 15 days.
America
Meet the specified conditions to be exempt from a visa to China
China applies a 72-144 hour transit visa exemption policy for citizens of 54 countries in some major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Shenyang, Dalian, and Xi'an. These countries include:
Other countries: USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, etc.
Conditions:
Have a connecting flight ticket to a third country.
Do not leave the designated transit area.
Transit time from 72-144 hours, depending on the city.
Note: Vietnam is not on the transit visa exemption list. Vietnamese citizens need to apply for a transit visa (visa G) if staying at a Chinese airport for more than 24 hours.
Are Vietnamese citizens exempt from a visa to China?
Currently, Vietnamese citizens holding regular passports are not exempt from regular tourist or business visas. However, there are some special cases that are exempt from visas:
Diplomatic/service passports: Visa exemption for a maximum stay of 30 days for official purposes or family visits (spouse, children under 18 traveling together).
APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC): Visa exemption for a maximum stay of 60 days for business purposes, which can be combined with tourism.
Traveling in border areas: Vietnamese citizens in border provinces (such as Lang Son, Cao Bang) can enter Chinese border areas (within 150km) with a travel permit, no visa required, for a short stay (usually 1-2 days).
Permanent residency/residence permit: Individuals with residence or permanent residence permits in China are exempt from visas.
Group tours: Some tours organized by designated travel companies in Hainan or Guangdong (Shenzhen, Zhuhai) may be exempt from visas for 5-15 days.
If not falling under the above cases, Vietnamese citizens need to apply for a tourist visa (visa L) with a validity of 3 months, allowing a maximum stay of 15-30 days per entry.
Documents required for a tourist visa to China for Vietnamese citizens
If you need to apply for a tourist visa to China, please prepare the following documents:
Passport: Valid for at least 6 months, with at least 2 blank pages.
Visa application form: Fill out online at bio.visaforchina.cn or obtain a form at CVASC.
Passport photo: 4x6 cm, white background, taken within the last 6 months.
Identity verification: Notarized copy of ID card, household registration (or CT07/CT08).
Financial proof:
Savings account: Minimum 50,000,000 VND.
Bank statement: Transactions for 3-6 months, salary from 10,000,000 VND/month is an advantage.
Employment verification:
Employee: Employment contract, leave application.
Business owner: Business license, tax report.
Student: Student ID, confirmation from the school.
Travel itinerary: Detailed dates of departure, return, and sightseeing locations.
Flight and hotel booking confirmation (recommended).
Note: Documents need to be notarized on A4 paper and truthful to avoid rejection.
Cost of applying for a tourist visa to China in 2025
According to the policy of reducing 25% of visa fees until 31/12/2025, the costs include:
Consular fee (paid when visa is approved, in USD):
3-month single entry visa: 45 USD (~1,080,000 VND).
Prepare documents: Gather all necessary paperwork according to the list.
Make an appointment (mandatory in Hanoi/Da Nang, not required in Ho Chi Minh City from 23/10/2023): Through the website bio.visaforchina.cn.
Submit documents:
Hanoi: CVASC, No. 5 Trung Kinh, Cau Giay.
Ho Chi Minh City: Consulate General, 175 Hai Ba Trung, District 3.
Da Nang: Visa office, 12 Tran Phu, Hai Chau.
Fingerprinting (if required): Exempt for children under 14, seniors over 70, or those who have fingerprinted in the past 5 years.
Pay CVASC fee: 690,000 VND (regular) or 1,380,000 VND (VIP).
Wait for approval: 5-7 days (regular) or 2-3 days (VIP).
Pay consular fee: Pay in USD at the designated bank when the visa is approved.
Receive results: In person or via courier.
Tips to increase the chances of getting a China tourist visa
Apply early: Submit documents 20-30 days before the trip to avoid peak season.
Strong financial documents: Savings account opened 3 months prior, regular bank statements.
Detailed itinerary: Clearly list attractions, along with flight and hotel confirmations.
Avoid errors: Carefully check documents to ensure consistent information.
Use professional services: Contact NVK Travel for advice and document support to increase visa approval chances.
Reasons for visa denial:
Incomplete or dishonest documents.
Unclear entry history.
Unconvincing travel purpose.
Suggested itinerary for traveling in China
6-day itinerary exploring China:
Day 1: Arrive in Beijing, visit Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City.
Day 2: Explore the Great Wall, Summer Palace.
Day 3: High-speed train to Shanghai, stroll along the Bund.
Day 4: Visit Shanghai Tower, Nanjing Old Town.
Day 5: Go to Zhangjiajie, explore Tianmen Mountain.
Day 6: Shopping, return to Vietnam.
Money-saving tips:
Use high-speed trains (prices from 300 CNY ~ 1,000,000 VND).
Stay in 3-star hotels or hostels (prices from 700,000 VND/night).
Eat at local restaurants (prices 70,000-170,000 VND/meal).
NVK Travel – Accompanying you to China
NVK Travel, part of Eagle Asia Co., Ltd., with over 10 years of experience in international travel, is committed to providing professional visa and tour services for China. Benefits of choosing us:
Optimal visa support: Detailed consultation, document review, visa approval rate up to 98%.
Package tours: 5-7 day itineraries, prices from 25,900,000 VND, including flights, hotels, and visa.
Diverse services: Flight booking, hotel reservations, car rentals, travel insurance.
24/7 support: Our consultants are always ready to assist.
China currently exempts visas for citizens of 29 countries, with a stay duration of 15-30 days, but Vietnam is not on this list. Vietnamese citizens need to apply for a tourist visa (visa L) with costs ranging from 1,300,000 - 5,000,000 VND. Preparing documents thoroughly and applying early will help you obtain a visa quickly to explore the land of a billion people.
Let NVK Travel assist you from visa application to organizing a complete trip to China! Visit now https://nvktravel.com/ for free consultation, tour booking, or quick visa support. With dedicated service, we are committed to providing the best travel experience!
