Visa Application

China grants unilateral visa-free entry for up to 30 days to ordinary-passport holders of 48 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. This policy is currently effective until December 31, 2026 (subject to extension).

Since December 17, 2024, China has unified and extended its previous 72-hour and 144-hour transit visa-free policies to 240 hours (10 days). Eligible citizens of 55 countries transiting through designated ports — including Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport — to a third country/region may enter and stay within the 24 designated provinces/municipalities (Guangdong Province included) for up to 240 hours without a visa. Travellers must hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third destination within the 240-hour window.

China maintains mutual visa-free agreements with around 30 countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Serbia, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan and others. Ordinary-passport holders of these countries may enter China visa-free for stays generally up to 30 days per entry.

Foreigners transiting through any of China's open ports to a third country within 24 hours enjoy visa-free transit without leaving the airport port area. No prior application is required.