Pre-Arrival Master Checklist
Everything you need to prepare before your China trip. Check off items as you complete them.
Visa-Free Entry Policies
State your actual purpose of travel and provide information consistent with your plans. Keep your accommodation and itinerary details available, and cooperate if immigration officers ask for supporting information. This is preparation advice, not a new universal document checklist or a guarantee of entry.
Regulation effective September 15, 2026 · Reviewed September 14, 2026. Official regulation, Article 3 (Chinese).
Citizens of 50 countries (including UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and most EU nations — not the United States) can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchange visits, or transit. No third-country ticket required. Always confirm using the official NIA / MFA source before departure.
Citizens of 57 countries may use the 240-hour transit visa-free policy only when transiting through China to a third country or region, entering through eligible ports, and staying within the permitted areas.
Bilateral visa exemptions also exist. They have country-specific passport, purpose and stay conditions and are separate from unilateral and transit policies. The checker below includes verified Singapore and Thailand agreements, but is not a complete list of bilateral agreements. A country match is not individual entry approval.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| 240h eligible countries | 57 transit-eligible countries including the US, UK, many EU countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, UAE, Qatar, and — added August 20, 2026 — Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam. Check the official NIA list before departure. |
| Time calculation | Starts from 00:00 the day AFTER arrival (not landing time) |
| Third country ticket | Must have confirmed flight to a DIFFERENT country than departure (e.g. US→China→Japan works, US→China→US does NOT) |
| Travel zones | Stay within the permitted areas for your entry port. Some regions allow cross-provincial travel, but it is not nationwide. |
Transit expansion: NIA August 20, 2026 announcement (57 countries). The earlier notice above remains a reference for transit conditions. Russia: 30-day unilateral exemption extended through December 31, 2027. These two updates reviewed September 14, 2026; other country policies must still be checked before travel.
Passport Preparation
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date (strongly recommended). Save digital copies:
- Photo of passport info page saved to phone
- Email a copy to yourself as backup
- Save to cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud)
- Always carry the physical passport — needed at hotels, train stations, attractions
eSIM Setup
Already in China? You have not missed your only option. Check your device, current plan and connection first. If you already have a travel eSIM, use its provider's setup and support instructions; if you cannot open them, contact your current mobile provider using a connection you can access. Availability depends on your device and plan. Installing an app alone does not guarantee a working connection.
A compatible travel eSIM can provide data on arrival once it is installed and activated according to your provider’s instructions. Many travel eSIMs route data internationally and may keep Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and other international apps working in China, but access can vary by provider and plan. Confirm China coverage and app access with your eSIM provider before purchase, and keep offline backups.
Navigation Apps
| App | English? | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Maps (iPhone, uses Amap data in China) | Full English | Best for iPhone |
| Amap (高德地图) | English available | Best for Android |
| Baidu Maps | Chinese only | Skip |
| Google Maps | Full English | Not available in China |
Pro tip: Download offline maps for your destination cities. Apple Maps → long-press city → Download Map.
Choose the help you need
Plan your route, prepare for China, or contact a real person. Start with the product that fits your trip.
- Build a day-by-day China itinerary
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