Visa Free Entry to China for Citizens of Several European Countries, Thailand, and Malaysia
China is now opening visa-free entry to citizens from 5 European countries and Malaysia. Starting from December 1, 2023 citizens can travel up to 15 days visa-free in China. Originally, these rules were set until November 30, 2024, and are currently set to be active until 2025.
Starting from March 1, citizens of Thailand can visit China visa-free.
From March 14, additionally, citizens of several more European countries are granted visa-free entry to China for up to 15 days.
COUNTRIES THAT CAN NOW TRAVEL VISA-FREE TO CHINA:
What travel purposes are now visa-exempt:
Visiting Tibet without a Chinese visa
Traveling to Tibet will be very easy as we will take care of all the necessary documents to visit Tibet. Citizens of all visa-exempt countries will only need to send us a copy of their passports and we will apply for all necessary permits to Travel in Tibet. Depending on your travel plans, it can take up to 15 days to receive your permits. Please, plan your visit in advance!
Traveling to Tibet through Nepal
The visa-free rules apply only if you travel to Tibet through China. If you are planning to travel to Tibet through Nepal, you will still need to apply for a Chinese group visa at the Embassy in Kathmandu. Starting from 2023, the group visa is issued only for groups of at least 4 people.
What other countries can travel without a visa to China
The current rules for all other countries remain the same. Citizens of certain countries can still travel to China and Tibet without a visa:
Citizens of countries that can travel to Tibet visa-free:
Americas (30 days): Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay
Europe (30 days unless noted): Albania (90 days), Andorra, Armenia (90 days), Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina (90 days), Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino (90 days), Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan
Asia-Pacific & Pacific Islands: Australia, Brunei, Fiji, Japan, Malaysia (90 days), Maldives, Mauritius (60 days), Mongolia, New Zealand, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Thailand, Tonga
Middle East: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
Citizens of all other countries must apply for a visa before traveling to China.
While citizens of the United States have to apply for Chinese visas, they can enjoy more relaxed requirements. For US citizens only, it is not necessary to submit airline tickets or proof of itinerary, making planning your trip more flexible and the application process easier.
Citizens of the USA and many other countries can now submit their application online for review before visiting the Embassy. Once this review process is complete, you will only need to submit your passport to the Chinese Embassy, making the entire process more streamlined.
Before entering China, all foreigners, with or without a visa, can now submit their entry registration (arrival card) information online. If you won’t complete it online before arrival, you will still be able to use the paper version handed out on your flight to China. Fill it out:
- Online on your laptop
- On your smartphone
- On the NIA 12367 mobile app
- Through mini-programs on WeChat and Alipay
The online arrival card service is free of charge. You should only use official NIA channels and avoid fake websites charging fees.
MORE INFORMATION TO PREPARE FOR TIBET VISIT
TOURS IN TIBET WITHIN 15 DAYS VISA-FREE TRAVEL
8 DAYS LHASA TO EVEREST TOUR
A beautiful and exciting journey, starting in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, and going to the Everest Base Camp. The tour visits Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera, Drepung, and Tashilhunpo monasteries, Kumbum Stupa, Yamdrok Lake, and Karola glaciers.
Both group and private tours are available.
15 DAYS MOUNT KAILASH PILGRIMAGE TOUR
One of our most popular group tours starts in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, and goes to Mount Kailash for three days trekking around this sacred mountain. During this tour, we visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse monastery and Kumbum stupa, Mount Everest, Lake Manasarovar, Mount Kailash, and much more.
7 DAYS LHASA TO KATHMANDU TOUR
This tour starts in Lhasa. We will stay there for 2 days to explore the capital and acclimatize. After that, we will head to the center of attraction in the Himalayas – Mount Everest. We will spend a night by the highest mountain on the planet and continue driving through majestic mountain ranges, alongside rivers and waterfalls to the border between Tibet and Nepal.
why choose us?
“It was really an amazing experience to travel with Wonders of Tibet. Their team is very professional, helpful and considerate! The itinerary is very well designed, communication is very smooth the whole time, I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to visit Tibet!“
Becky, review from TripAdvisor
