Entry Requirements for China
Information on visa-free entry, visa requirements, and transit policies for the China.
Guide Content
Because our tours to the DPRK (North Korea) typically begin and end in China, it is important to understand the Chinese visa requirements associated with your passport in order to ensure a smooth journey. If you are unsure about your eligibility or visa requirements, our team will be happy to advise you when booking a tour.
The DPRK visa is included as part of our tour package, and we handle the entire process for you. There is no need to visit a DPRK embassy or send your passport by mail to obtain it. However, the Chinese visa is not included in the price of our tours.
Entry requirements for China depend on your passport and the purpose of your visit. Some travelers may enter visa-free for short stays, while others must obtain a tourist visa prior to arrival. If you are not eligible for visa-free entry to China, obtaining the appropriate Chinese visa is your responsibility.
All travelers must meet basic entry requirements, including valid travel documents and compliance with permitted stay conditions.
Visa-Free Entry
Citizens of several countries can currently enter China visa-free for short stays, including travelers from the United Kingdom, Canada, and many European countries. Visa-free policies are periodically expanded or adjusted, so travelers should confirm their eligibility prior to departure.
Visa-free entry is generally permitted for purposes such as tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchange, and transit. Travelers may stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa but must still meet standard entry requirements, including passport validity and proof of onward or return travel.
Travelers Who Require a Visa
Travelers who are not eligible for visa-free entry must obtain a tourist visa prior to arrival. For trips to the DPRK, a double-entry or multiple-entry visa is required, as our tours begin and end in China unless otherwise specified. Travelers holding a single-entry visa will not be permitted to depart China for the DPRK, as that visa would be used upon entering China and would no longer be valid for the return journey from Korea.
Applications begin by completing the official online form: China Online Visa Application (COVA) system
After completing the form, applicants typically schedule an appointment and submit required documents through a Chinese Visa Application Service Center in their country.
240-Hour Transit Visa-Free Policy
China also offers a 240-hour visa-free transit policy for eligible travelers transiting through designated cities. This allows stays of up to 10 days within specific regions of the country without obtaining a visa, provided that confirmed onward travel outside mainland China is arranged. Although Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are legally part of China, they exist outside the Chinese mainland, and therefore travel to these destinations qualifies as onward travel for the purposes of this policy.
However, this policy applies only within approved geographic areas, and travelers must both enter and exit the Chinese mainland through designated ports of entry. For those flying to Pyongyang from Beijing, Shanghai, or Shenyang, and returning from the DPRK through one of these cities before departing mainland China via an approved airport or seaport, the 240-hour visa-free transit policy may be used.
Travelers who plan to enter or exit the DPRK by rail or other land crossings are not eligible, as the ports of entry along the Sino-Korean border are not included under this visa-free transit policy.
If you are considering joining one of our tours under the 240-hour visa-free transit arrangement, we strongly recommend consulting with our team in advance. Eligibility will be reviewed and confirmed on a case-by-case basis for each tour.
Arrival Card E-Filing
Foreign visitors to China may complete their arrival card online prior to arrival via the website of the National Immigration Administration of China: Online Arrival Card Form
Completing the form in advance can save time on arrival, but it is not required. Travelers who prefer may instead fill out a paper Arrival Card upon arrival.
Passport Requirements
All travelers entering China and the DPRK must:
- Hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry;
- Have available blank visa pages where required; and
- Comply with the permitted duration and purpose of stay.
Travelers should review their documentation carefully prior to departure to avoid entry issues.
Travelers from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan
Guests traveling on Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan travel documents must hold a valid Mainland Travel Permit before entering the Chinese mainland. These permits are commonly known as the Home Return Permit (回鄉證) for Hong Kong and Macau residents and the Taiwan Compatriot Pass (台胞證) for travelers from Taiwan.
Travelers should ensure their permit is valid for the duration of their trip before departure.
While entry into the mainland is processed using the Mainland Travel Permit rather than a passport, travelers should still ensure that their Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan passport remains valid for the duration of the trip to ensure smooth departure from and return to their home region.