The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the Abolition of Visas for Holders of Ordinary Passports was signed on November 5, 2016. A visa is not required for stays of up to 30 days from the date of entry into China.
As of May 29, 2018, holders of valid ordinary passports of the PRC and holders of valid ordinary passports of Bosnia and Herzegovina are exempt from the obligation to obtain a visa for entry, exit, stay, or transit through the territory of the other contracting party. Both parties may enter and stay without a visa in the territory of the other country for up to 90 days, within any 180-day period.
This has been known for some time.
What is new is that from November 30, 2024, to December 31, 2025, Croatian citizens, Montenegrin citizens, and North Macedonian citizens holding ordinary passports can enter the People's Republic of China visa-free for tourism, business/private visits, student exchanges, conferences, and transit for a limited period of up to 30 days.
As a result, all countries in the region can enter the People's Republic of China visa-free.
This expansion is not limited to these countries but is considerably more extensive.
On November 22, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China announced that the country's unilateral visa-free policy would be extended to nine more countries, including Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan. Starting November 30, 2024, citizens holding ordinary passports from these nine countries will qualify for China's unilateral visa-free entry program.
To boost consumption and facilitate foreign tourism following the reopening of its borders in the post-COVID-19 era, China has begun expanding its unilateral visa-free entry policy to attract foreign nationals. As a result:
- On November 24, 2023, China decided to begin a 15-day unilateral visa-free entry policy for the first group of 6 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia, which is effective from December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024.
- On March 7, 2024, China decided to expand its 15-day unilateral visa-free entry policy to the second group of 6 countries: Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg, effective from March 14, 2024, to November 30, 2024. On May 8, 2024, China decided to extend the validity of the 15-day unilateral visa-free entry policy for the first and second groups of 12 countries until December 31, 2025.
- On June 25, 2024, China decided to expand its 15-day unilateral visa-free entry policy to the third group of 3 countries: New Zealand, Australia, and Poland, effective from July 31, 2024, to December 31, 2025.
- On September 30, 2024, China decided to expand its 15-day unilateral visa-free entry policy to cover the fourth group of 4 countries, including Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, and Slovenia, effective from October 15, 2024, to December 31, 2025.
- On November 1, 2024, China decided to expand its 15-day unilateral visa-free entry policy to cover the fifth group of 9 countries, including Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and South Korea, effective from November 8, 2024, to December 31, 2025.
- On November 22, 2024, China decided to expand its unilateral visa-free entry policy to the sixth group of 9 countries, including Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, and Japan, effective from November 30, 2024, to December 31, 2025. Meanwhile, the 15-day stay under the Chinese unilateral visa-free entry policy will be extended to 30 days. The allowed purposes of entry will be expanded to include business, tourism, visits to family and friends, exchange visits, and transit.
Basic Visa Terms
A visa is a permit issued by an authorized government agency of a country in accordance with the laws and regulations of that country, allowing foreigners who apply to enter, exit, or transit through the country.According to international law and practice, every sovereign state has the right to independently decide whether to allow foreigners to enter and exit its country (borders) and to issue, refuse, or revoke visas in accordance with its laws.
Chinese authorities responsible for visa issuance decide on the type, number, validity period, and duration of stay of the visa to be issued in accordance with the laws and relevant regulations, and have the right to refuse a visa application or revoke an already issued visa.
Who Issues Visas
The issuance of entry visas to foreigners abroad is the responsibility of the embassies, consulates, or other overseas institutions authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China.Foreigners who meet the relevant provisions of Article 20 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China may apply for a port visa from the port authorities designated by the Ministry of Public Security in a port approved by the State Council for handling port visa matters.
Types of Visas
Chinese visas are divided into diplomatic visas, courtesy visas, official visas and ordinary visas. Among them, ordinary visas are divided into the following categories:| Visa Types | Applicable to |
|---|---|
| C | Crew members of international trains, crew members of international airplanes, crew members of international ships, and their families, as well as drivers engaged in international road transport of passengers, airplanes, and ships |
| D | Persons entering for permanent residence |
| F | Persons entering for exchange, visits, inspections, etc. |
| G | Persons in transit through China |
| J1 | Foreign journalists permanently employed in Chinese media organizations (stay longer than 180 days) |
| J2 | Foreign journalists entering the country for short-term reporting (stay not exceeding 180 days) |
| L | Tourists entering the country |
| M | Persons entering for business and trade activities |
| Q1 | Family members of Chinese citizens applying for residence in China for family reunification, family members of foreigners with permanent residence in China, as well as persons applying for reasons such as guardianship |
| Q2 | Relatives of Chinese citizens and relatives of foreigners with permanent residence in China visiting China for a short period (not exceeding 180 days) |
| R | Highly skilled and specialized foreign personnel urgently needed by the country |
| S1 | Spouses, parents, children under 18, parents of foreign spouses entering China for long-term visits (more than 180 days) for work, study, etc., as well as individuals who must stay in China for private reasons |
| S2 | Relatives of foreigners staying in China for a short period (less than 180 days) |
| X1 | Foreign students coming to China for long-term study (more than 180 days) |
| X2 | Foreign students coming to China for short-term study (less than 180 days) |
| Z | Persons working in China |
Visa for Hong Kong and Macau
1. Special Administrative Visa for Hong Kong
1. The Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong grants visa-free treatment to people from certain countries and regions (for details, visit the link http://www.immd.gov.hk/sc/services/hk-visas/visit-transit/visit-visa -entri-permit.html#part2).
2. Foreigners who do not enjoy visa-free treatment must apply for a Hong Kong visa when traveling to Hong Kong.
2. Special Administrative Visa for Macau
1. The SAR of Macau grants a visa-free regime to citizens from certain countries and regions (for details, visit the link https://www.gov.mo/zh-hans/services/ps-1474/ps-1474b/#6).2. Except for people from a few specific countries, foreigners who do not enjoy visa-free treatment can generally apply for a visa upon arrival at the Macau port.
Foreigners applying to travel to Mainland China, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the Macau Special Administrative Region at the same time must specifically apply for a visa for the mainland and a visa for Hong Kong or Macau.
Validity Period
The validity period of a visa refers to the valid time span for the visa holder to enter the country with the visa unless otherwise confirmed by the issuing authority. The visa will take effect from the date of issuance and expire at 24:00 Beijing time on the expiration date. If there are still unused entries, the holder may enter the country before the expiration date (including the expiration date).Number of Entries
The number of entries on a visa refers to how many times the holder can enter China during the visa validity period. A visa that has used up its entries or has expired without using its entries is considered invalid. If you wish to travel to China, you must apply for a new visa. If the holder enters China with an invalid visa, entry will be denied.Duration of Stay
The duration of each stay on a visa refers to the length of time the visa holder can stay each time they enter the country, starting from the day after entry.Stay Procedures
After entering the country with a D, J1, Q1, S1, or X1 visa, foreigners must apply for a residence permit from the exit-entry administration agency of the public security authority at or above the county level where they intend to stay within 30 days of entry.Foreigners entering the country with diplomatic, courtesy, official, or ordinary visas of the V series must apply for a residence permit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or local foreign affairs departments authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 30 days of entry.
List of 38 Countries with Unilateral Visa-Free Entry Policy to China
As of today, here is a list of countries with a unilateral visa-free entry regime to China.
The list is organized by the decision date and its expiration date, which may (but not necessarily) be extended at some point.
| No. | Country | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brunei | July 26, 2023 | Not specified |
| 2 | France | December 1, 2023 | December 31, 2025 |
| 3 | Germany | December 1, 2023 | December 31, 2025 |
| 4 | Italy | December 1, 2023 | December 31, 2025 |
| 5 | Netherlands | December 1, 2023 | December 31, 2025 |
| 6 | Spain | December 1, 2023 | December 31, 2025 |
| 7 | Malaysia | December 1, 2023 | December 31, 2025 |
| 8 | Switzerland | March 14, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 9 | Ireland | March 14, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 10 | Hungary | March 14, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 11 | Austria | March 14, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 12 | Belgium | March 14, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 13 | Luxembourg | March 14, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 14 | New Zealand | July 1, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 15 | Australia | July 1, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 16 | Poland | July 1, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 17 | Portugal | October 15, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 18 | Greece | October 15, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 19 | Cyprus | October 15, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 20 | Slovenia | October 15, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 21 | Norway | November 8, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 22 | Slovakia | November 8, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 23 | Finland | November 8, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 24 | Denmark | November 8, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 25 | Iceland | November 8, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 26 | Andorra | November 8, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 27 | Monaco | November 8, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 28 | Liechtenstein | November 8, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 29 | South Korea | November 8, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 30 | Bulgaria | November 30, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 31 | Romania | November 30, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 32 | Croatia | November 30, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 33 | Montenegro | November 30, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 34 | North Macedonia | November 30, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 35 | Malta | November 30, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 36 | Estonia | November 30, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 37 | Latvia | November 30, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
| 38 | Japan | November 30, 2024 | December 31, 2025 |
For more information, please visit the official website of the relevant ministry of your country.
Source:
http://cs.mfa.gov.cn/wgrlh/lhqz/lhqzjj_660596/
https://www.china-briefing.com/news/china-unilateral-visa-free-entry-38-countries/
https://www.mfa.gov.rs/gradjani/putovanje-u-inostranstvo/vize-i-informacije-o-drzavama/kina
https://mvep.gov.hr/informacije-za-gradjane-244593/konzularne-informacije-22730/vize-22733/pregled-viznog-sustava/22853?country=66
http://ba.china-embassy.gov.cn/ba/lsfw_7/201805/t20180530_2317037.htm
