Visa Requirements of Chinese Citizens (November 2026)

Chinese outbound travel has bounced back strongly, and the Chinese passport has steadily become more useful. Through a wave of mutual visa exemption deals and e-visa programmes, Chinese citizens can now visit around 85 countries and territories without a visa or with simple online or on-arrival options. For Europe, North America and Japan, though, a traditional visa is still the norm.

Mutual visa exemptions

China has signed mutual visa exemption agreements with a growing list of countries. These allow Chinese ordinary passport holders to visit for short stays without a visa. Notable examples include:

• Southeast Asia: Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia have mutual visa-free arrangements with China.
• Central Asia and the Caucasus: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Georgia.
• Middle East: the UAE and Qatar.
• Others: Serbia, the Maldives, Mauritius and several Caribbean and Pacific nations.

Stay limits differ by agreement, usually 30 days per visit with a cap within 180 days.

E-visas and visa on arrival

Many countries offer Chinese citizens e-visas or visa on arrival, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Turkey, Kenya and Saudi Arabia. These options make holidays across Asia, Africa and the Middle East simple.

Hong Kong and Macau

Mainland Chinese residents need an Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau, with the appropriate endorsement, rather than a passport. Individual Visit Scheme endorsements are available to residents of designated cities.

Schengen Area

Chinese citizens need a Schengen visa for Europe. Applications are made at visa centres across China. The EU has made it easier for Chinese applicants with a good travel history to receive multiple-entry visas with longer validity. Strong applications include bank statements, employment letters, flight and hotel bookings, and travel insurance.

United States

Chinese citizens need a US visa. Holders of ten-year B1/B2 visas must update their profile through the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) before travelling, typically every two years or when they get a new passport.

Japan and South Korea

Japan requires visas from Chinese citizens but has introduced simplified procedures and multiple-entry options for some applicants. South Korea requires visas, though Jeju Island offers visa-free entry for Chinese tourists arriving directly. Korea has also run visa-free schemes for Chinese tour groups.

United Kingdom, Canada and Australia

All three require visas, applied for online with biometrics. The UK offers two-year visit visas to Chinese nationals on the same fee as standard six-month visas in some cases. Australia offers longer-validity visitor visas for frequent travellers.

Travel tips

• Check passport validity. Six months is the safe standard.
• Keep EVUS updated if travelling to the US.
• Carry an international card such as Visa or Mastercard, as domestic payment apps are not accepted everywhere.
• Read travel reminders from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before departure.

Mistakes that cause problems at the border

Most travel problems linked to Chinese Citizens come from small oversights rather than refusals. Airlines deny boarding more often than immigration officers do, usually because a passport is too close to expiry, an online authorisation was never approved, or the traveller cannot show an onward ticket. Another common issue is mixing up stay limits, especially when a trip covers several countries with different rules. Before you leave, write down your permitted length of stay, the date you must exit, and the documents each border may ask to see. Keep digital and printed copies, since phones die and airport Wi-Fi fails at the worst moments.

Final word

Chinese citizens can now explore more of the world with less paperwork than ever before. For the rest, apply early and keep documents complete. Always check the latest rules on official websites before travelling.