2. Regional visa exemptions

(1) 240-hour visa-free transit
Foreign nationals from 55 countries holding valid international travel documents and connecting tickets with confirmed dates and seats can transit through China to a third country (region). They can enter China visa-free through any of the 60 open ports in 24 provinces (regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government) and stay in designated areas for no more than 240 hours. In Hainan, the applicable ports are Haikou Meilan International Airport and Sanya Phoenix International Airport.
Applicable countries: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Entry purposes: tourism, business, visits, family visits, etc. Activities that require prior approval, such as work, study, and news reporting, still require a visa before entering China.
Duration of stay in China: up to 240 hours within the designated areas (passport holders of countries that have signed mutual visa exemption policy agreements with China or who enjoy unilateral visa exemptions may request to enter China under these policies).

(2) Hainan Visa-Free Entry for Nationals of 59 Countries
With the approval of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, ordinary passport holders from 59 designated countries may enter Hainan Province for tourism, commercial activities, trade, visits and exchanges, family reunions, receiving medical treatment, attending exhibitions, taking part in sporting events, and other purposes (excluding employment and long-term study) for up to 30 days without a visa.
Applicable Countries: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Entry ports: All open ports in Hainan Province (Haikou Meilan International Airport, Sanya Phoenix International Airport, Qionghai Boao International Airport, etc.)
Entry purposes: tourism, commercial activities, visits and exchanges, family reunions, medical treatment, exhibitions, and sports competitions.
Scope of activities: the administrative area of Hainan Province.
Duration of stay in Hainan: up to 30 days.

Group Visa-free Entry Policies

1. 144-hour visa-free entry for foreign tour groups from the Hong Kong and Macau SARs
Citizens of countries with diplomatic relations with China holding ordinary passports can join tour groups (2 or more people) organized by legally registered travel agencies in the Hong Kong and Macao SARs and enter Hainan visa-free for tourism for up to 144 hours.
Entry ports: All open ports in Hainan Province (Haikou
Meilan International Airport, Sanya Phoenix International Airport, Qionghai Boao International Airport, etc.)
Visa-free entry method and purpose: Enter Hainan via Hong
Kong or Macao in tour groups organized by legally registered travel agencies in those two regions for the purpose of tourism.
Scope of activities: the administrative area of Hainan Province.
Duration of stay in Hainan: up to 144 hours.

2. 15-day visa-free entry for foreign tour groups arriving by cruise ship
Foreign tour groups (2 or more people) who travel by cruise ship and are organized and received by domestic travel agencies can enter visa-free in groups through cruise ports in 13 cities, including Haikou and Sanya in Hainan, for up to 15 days.
Entry ports: 13 designated city cruise ports, Haikou, Sanya,
Tianjin, Dalian, Shanghai, Lianyungang, Wenzhou, Zhoushan, Xiamen, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beihai.
Entry purpose: Tourism for foreign tour groups arriving by
cruise ship.
Scope of activities: coastal provinces, municipalities and Beijing.
Duration of stay in Hainan: up to 15 days.


II. Points to note
1. When entering Hainan visa-free, it is recommended that foreign nationals who are eligible to use nationally applicable visa-free entry policies, 240-hour visa-free transit, and Hainan's 59-country visa-free entry prioritize the use of nationally applicable visa-free policies.
2. Individual travelers from 6 countries (Czech Republic, Indonesia, Lithuania, Mexico, Ukraine, and the US) who are ineligible for nationwide visa-free policies but are eligible for 240-hour visa-free transit and Hainan's 59-country visa-free entry can choose which policy to apply based on their intended entry purpose, the geographical scope of their activities, and the length of stay.
3. Those seeking to extend their stay in China for legitimate reasons should apply for a visa at the exit-entry administrations of public security organs in Hainan before their visa-free stay periods expire.
4.Foreign nationals using Hainan’s 59-country visa-free entry policy are only allowed to stay within the aministrative region of Hainan Province.If they need to leave Hainan for other parts of the Chinese mainland for legitimate reasons,they shall apply for a visa at the exit-entry administrations of public security organs in Hainan.
5. Those staying in accommodations other than hotels should register their accommodation with the local public security organs within 24 hours of arriving, either in person at their local police station or online via the "Haiyiban" app. Hosts may register on their behalf.