China visa-free policy Q&A

Since March 2024 citizens from several European countries don’t need a visa for short-term visits to China. Ordinary passport holders can enter China without a visa if they come to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 30 days. This policy was initially supposed to end by December 2024, but early May 2024 China decided to extend this visa exemption policy for citizens from 12 countries, including Belgium, until the end of 2025.

On top of this good news, both Hainan Airlines and Juneyao Air started regular flights between Shanghai and Brussels Airport in the summer of 2024. These new connections come on top of regular direct flights from Brussels Airport to 3 major Chinese cities (Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen), strengthening the economic ties between Belgium and China, specifically facilitating tourism and business relations.

With respect to this visa policy, there are regularly questions from our customers, planning a China trip. Therefore, the Chinese Embassy in Belgium has published a Q&A on their website, which we gladly publish here as well.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Trial Visa-Free Policy for Belgium

Question 1: Do foreigners who apply for visa-free policy need to apply in advance through Chinese embassies and consulates abroad?

Answer: Qualified foreigners who apply for visa-free policy to come to China do not need to apply to Chinese embassies and consulates abroad in advance.

Question 2: Do Chinese border inspection authorities verify the reason for coming to China and how? Do you need to bring other documents besides your passport when entering the country?

Answer: Foreigners who come to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends or transit in accordance with the provisions of the visa-free policy will enter the country after inspection and approval by Chinese border inspection authorities in accordance with the law; for foreigners whose reasons for coming to China do not meet the reasons stipulated in the visa-free policy or who have other legal circumstances that prohibit entry, the border inspection authorities will make a decision not to allow entry in accordance with the law. It is recommended to bring invitation letters, air ticket and hotel orders and other supporting documents that are consistent with the reason for coming to China. People who come to China for work, study, interview and report are not included in the scope of visa-free policy.

Question 3: Are there any special requirements for minors to come to China under the visa-free policy?

Answer: The visa-free policy applies to minors and adults in China.

Question 4: Are there any requirements for the type and validity period of entry documents?

Answer: Foreigners must hold a valid ordinary passport to come to China, and the validity period must meet the needs of traveling in China. Foreigners holding documents other than ordinary passports such as travel documents, temporary or emergency documents are not eligible for the visa-free policy to come to China.

Question 5: How is the 15-day stay period calculated?

Answer: Foreigners who meet the visa-free conditions for coming to China can stay continuously until 24:00 on the 15th natural day from the date of entry.

Question 6: Can they depart from a country other than their nationality?

Answer: Foreigners who meet the visa-free conditions for coming to China can depart from any country (region) outside China.

Question 7: Does it apply to other entry methods besides aviation?

Answer: Unilateral visa-free policy applies to all sea, land and air ports open to foreigners (except as otherwise provided by laws, regulations or bilateral arrangements). If you come to China by self-provided means of transportation, you should also go through the entry and exit procedures for your own means of transportation in accordance with relevant Chinese laws and regulations.

Question 8: Can tourist groups apply for visa-free entry?

Answer: Foreigners who meet the visa-free entry requirements can enter China under the visa-free policy, whether they are traveling in a tour group or as an individual.

Question 9: If the stay in China exceeds 15 days, can it be extended?

Answer: Foreigners who intend to stay in China for more than 15 days should apply for a visa that matches the purpose of their visit to China at the Chinese embassy or consulate abroad in advance. If they need to continue to stay in China for legitimate reasons after entering China under the visa-free policy, they should apply to the entry and exit management agency of the public security agency for a residence permit.

Question 10: Can they enter China multiple times? Are there any requirements for the time interval between entries? Are there any restrictions on the number of visa-free entries and the total number of days they stay?

Answer: Foreigners who meet the visa-free entry requirements can come to China multiple times under the visa-free policy. There is currently no restriction on the number of visa-free entries and the total number of days they stay, but they should be careful not to engage in activities that are inconsistent with the reason for entry.

More information can be found at the website of the Chinese Embassy in Belgium: in English: http://be.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/; in French: http://be.china-embassy.gov.cn/fra/; in Chinese: http://be.china-embassy.gov.cn/chn/.