Visa free entry requirements

Question

Hi,

I am travelling to China in February and already checked what documents are required for getting the visa when China added more countries to the visa free list and I no longer need one.

For the visa it was a requirement to provide the whole itinerary with hotel bookings. A friend who went through the visa process was also asked to provide the same reservations when entering the country.

I haven't found any mention of hotel reservations being required if you qualify for visa free.

Do you need to provide when entering the country more than plane tickets showing the departure date from the country?

Answer

China’s visa-free entry and transit policies have become much more flexible in 2024–2025, but travelers should still be prepared to show supporting documents upon arrival. Even if you are exempt from obtaining a visa in advance, border control officers will still check that you meet the entry requirements for short-term stays. This helps confirm your purpose of visit and ensure you can legally enter under the visa-free category.

For most travelers entering under the unilateral visa-free entry scheme (not the 144-hour transit exemption), the requirements are simpler than for a regular visa, but you should still be able to present a few key documents if requested. The immigration inspection focuses on verifying your eligibility, length of stay, and accommodation arrangements while in China.

At the port of entry, you should expect to provide or show the following items:

Valid passport: Must have at least 6 months of remaining validity and blank visa pages. The visa-free policy applies only to nationals of specific countries designated by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Confirmed return or onward ticket: This is mandatory for both the 144-hour transit and the regular visa-free entry programs. It demonstrates your intention to leave China within the permitted period (usually 15 or 30 days, depending on your nationality).
Proof of accommodation: While not always requested, it is highly advisable to have at least one hotel booking confirmation or an invitation letter if staying with friends or family. Border officers may ask for an address or contact number for where you will be staying during your trip.

Although official government statements about visa-free entry do not explicitly list hotel reservations as a required document, in practice immigration officers can and often do ask for proof of accommodation, particularly for first-time visitors or when your stay is more than a few days. This is a standard entry control measure similar to many countries worldwide.

For travelers under the 144-hour or 72-hour visa-free transit policy, the documentation requirements are slightly more specific:

Valid onward flight ticket to a third country or region: The key condition for transit without a visa. The ticket must show confirmed departure within the allowed time frame.
Entry visa (if applicable) for your next destination: If your next stop requires a visa, you should already have it before arrival in China.
Accommodation details for the transit period: Immigration officers frequently ask for hotel bookings or proof of where you’ll stay during the 144-hour stay, even though it’s technically a short transit.

In summary, while a printed itinerary or hotel confirmation is not an official visa-free requirement, bringing them is strongly recommended. You should have:

Your passport and return or onward flight ticket
At least one confirmed hotel booking or an address where you’ll stay
Proof of sufficient funds (rarely checked, but advisable to have a credit card or recent bank statement)

In practice, many travelers enter China visa-free with only their passport and return ticket, but officers retain the right to ask for accommodation proof, especially in major entry points like Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou. Having these details printed or easily accessible on your phone ensures a smooth and efficient arrival process.

To conclude: no, hotel reservations are not strictly required for visa-free entry, but they are recommended. Immigration officials may ask where you plan to stay, and showing a reservation — even just for the first few nights — helps demonstrate that your visit is legitimate and well-organized.

Visa free entry requirements

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