Visiting China has become simpler.

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) of China has updated its visa-free transit policy.

Now, citizens from 54 countries, including the United States, can stay in China for up to 10 days without needing a visa. Previously, this visa-free period was restricted to either 72 or 144 hours based on specific locations.

Additionally, 21 new entry and exit ports have been added, along with five new visa-free travel destinations.

According to the official website of the Chinese Visa Application Service Center, “This initiative aids in enhancing international movement, fostering global communication and partnerships, and driving high-quality economic and societal development.” The NIA encourages more international guests to visit China and witness the country’s charm in this modern era.

However, there are certain limitations. Here’s what potential travelers should keep in mind.

Do U.S. citizens need a visa to enter China?

It depends.

With the newly broadened visa-free transit policy, U.S. citizens can access various regions in China for a maximum of 10 days without a visa, but they must depart to another country afterward. They cannot travel to China and back to the U.S. without a visa.

“Individuals from 54 eligible countries… traveling from China to a third country (region) can enter without a visa through any of the 60 designated ports in 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities), and remain in the permitted areas for visa-free transit travelers for a maximum of 240 hours,” per the Chinese Visa Application Service Center.

U.S. citizens wishing to stay in China beyond 10 days or only visiting will still be required to obtain a visa. Different visa types are necessary for tourists and business travelers.

Which countries can visit China without a visa?

The following 54 nations qualify for visa-free transit for a duration of up to 10 days:

Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, South Korea, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States.

Is visa-free transit possible in China?

Absolutely.

The Chinese Visa Application Service Center states, “Foreigners entering China through the visa-free policy can travel across provinces within the designated visa-free transit zones in 24 different provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities).”

◾ Anhui Province

◾ Beijing Municipality

◾ Chongqing Municipality

◾ Fujian Province

◾ Jiangsu Province

◾ Guangdong Province

◾ Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

◾ Guizhou Province

◾ Hainan Province

◾ Hebei Province

◾ Heilongjiang Province

◾ Henan Province

◾ Hubei Province

◾ Hunan Province

◾ Jiangxi Province (only Jingdezhen and Nanchang)

◾ Liaoning Province

◾ Shaanxi Province

◾ Shandong Province

◾ Shanghai Municipality

◾ Shanxi Province (only Datong and Taiyuan)

◾ Sichuan Province

◾ Tianjin Municipality

◾ Yunnan Province

◾ Zhejiang Province

Note: The entirety of Fujian, Hubei, and Shaanxi provinces are now covered. Within the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, an expanded area for visa-free transit includes the cities of Beihai, Fangchenggang, Hechi, Hezhou, Guigang, Guilin, Laibin, Liuzhou, Nanning, Qinzhou, Wuzhou, and Yulin.

What ports permit visa-free entry and exit?

◾ Hefei Xinqiao International Airport and Huangshan Tunxi International Airport located in Anhui Province

◾ Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport situated in Beijing Municipality

◾ Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport found in Chongqing Municipality

◾ Fujian Province is home to Fuzhou Changle International Airport, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport, Wuyishan Airport, and Xiamen Port

◾ In the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, there are Nanning Wuxu International Airport, Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, Beihai Fucheng Airport, and Beihai Port

◾ Guangdong Province includes Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport, as well as Nansha Port and Shekou Port

◾ Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport can be found in Guizhou Province

◾ Hainan Province features Haikou Meilan International Airport and Sanya Phoenix International Airport

◾ Harbin Taiping International Airport serves Harbin City

◾ In Hebei Province, you will find Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport and Qinhuangdao Port

◾ Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport is located in Henan Province

◾ Wuhan Tianhe International Airport is situated in Hubei Province

◾ Hunan Province has Changsha Huanghua International Airport and Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport

◾ Jiangsu Province is home to Nanjing Lukou International Airport, Su’nan Shuofang International Airport, Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport, and Lianyungang Port

◾ Nanchang Changbei International Airport can be found in Jiangxi Province

◾ Liaoning Province includes Shenyang Taoxian International Airport, Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport, and Dalian Port

◾ In Shandong Province, you can visit Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport, Yantai Penglai International Airport, Weihai Dashuipo International Airport, and Qingdao Port

◾ Shanghai Municipality features Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, and Shanghai Port

◾ Xi’an Xianyang International Airport is located in Shaanxi Province

◾ Taiyuan Wusu International Airport can be found in Shanxi Province

◾ Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport are located in Sichuan Province

◾ Tianjin Municipality has Tianjin Binhai International Airport and Tianjin Port

◾ Yunnan Province includes Kunming Changshui International Airport, Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, and Mohan Railway Port

◾ Zhejiang Province features Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Ningbo Lishe International Airport, Wenzhou Longwan International Airport, Yiwu Airport, Wenzhou Port, and Zhoushan Port

Is it safe to visit China at the moment?

According to the U.S. State Department, “for the majority of visitors, the People’s Republic of China remains a very safe destination,” but travelers should be aware of “arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including exit bans.”

In its Level 2 travel advisory, the State Department highlights that “the regulation of the tourism sector is inconsistent, and safety inspections for facilities and equipment are not typically conducted. Hazardous locations or activities may not always be clearly marked, and staff may lack training or certification from either the Chinese government or recognized authorities.”

Like travelers going to other international locations, individuals are advised to enroll in the State Department’s complimentary Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for alerts in case of emergencies.