Q&A Guidelines on Visa-Exempt Entry into China for Foreigners Under Mutual Visa Exemption Agreements

#Translation of Visa Exemption-related Q&As Question 1: In accordance with the visa exemption agreements signed between China and relevant countries, foreign citizens who meet the visa exemption requirements may "stay for no more than 30 days in a single trip and accumulate a total stay of no more than 90 days within any 180-day period". How should this be understood and calculated? Official Response: The calculation rule for "accumulated stay not exceeding 90 days within any 180-day period" is as follows: The "180-day period" is calculated separately for each traveler based on their visa-free stay in China, referring to the 180-day period retroactively counted from any day during their entry and stay. The "90-day period" does not include the time spent staying or residing in China with a visa, residence permit, or other visa documents, nor with an APEC Business Travel Card. - If the accumulated visa-free stay within the 180-day period (retroactively calculated from the date of entry) has already reached 90 days, the traveler will not be allowed to enter China under the visa exemption policy. - If the accumulated stay is less than 90 days but the remaining allowable stay is less than 30 days, the traveler's visa-free stay for this trip shall not exceed the remaining allowable visa-free stay period. Question 2: After a foreign citizen from a country with which China has a visa exemption agreement enters China visa-free, if their passport (with the border inspection stamp) is lost, can they directly exit China using an emergency travel document issued by their country's embassy in China? Official Response: For foreigners who enter China visa-free but need to use a replacement passport, emergency passport, travel certificate, or other entry-exit documents to exit China due to reasons such as passport loss or damage, the border inspection authorities may handle the exit formalities for them in accordance with the law, provided that: 1. The authorities have verified the authenticity and accuracy of the foreigner's identity information, entry records, loss report certificate, and supporting documents issued by their country's embassy or consulate in China in accordance with the law; 2. The foreigner who entered China without a visa has no illegal acts such as overstaying beyond the visa-free period or engaging in activities outside the permitted stay/residence area. If a foreigner who entered China without a visa has illegal circumstances under the jurisdiction of border inspection authorities (e.g., overstaying the visa-free period, activities outside the permitted stay/residence area), the border inspection authorities will handle the case in accordance with laws and regulations. For other illegal circumstances beyond the jurisdiction of border inspection authorities, the person concerned shall first accept handling by the exit-entry administration department of the public security organ or other relevant competent departments, and then apply to the border inspection authorities for exit formalities with the relevant supporting documents. Question 3: After a foreign citizen from a country with which China has a visa exemption agreement enters China visa-free, what should they do if they need to continue staying in China after the expiration of the visa-free stay period? Official Response: Foreign citizens from countries with which China has a visa exemption agreement shall exit China before the expiration of their visa-free stay period after entering China visa-free. If they really need to continue staying in China due to emergency reasons, force majeure, or other such causes, they shall apply to the exit-entry administration department of the public security organ for stay formalities before the expiration of the visa-free stay period. Question 4: After a foreign citizen from a country with which China has a visa exemption agreement enters China visa-free, are they required to complete accommodation registration? Official Response: Article 39 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China stipulates that: - When a foreigner stays in a hotel in China, the hotel shall handle the accommodation registration for the foreigner in accordance with the relevant provisions on public security administration of the hotel industry and submit the foreigner's accommodation registration information to the public security organ at the place where the hotel is located. - When a foreigner resides or stays in a place other than a hotel, they or the person who accommodates them shall register with the public security organ at the place of residence within 24 hours after check-in. In accordance with the above provisions, foreign citizens from countries with which China has a visa exemption agreement must complete accommodation registration in accordance with the law after entering China visa-free. The "Arrival Card" filled out by foreign citizens when entering China has already informed foreigners of the requirement to complete accommodation registration in both Chinese and English in the "Important Reminders" section. Please follow the relevant reminders to complete the foreigner accommodation registration in accordance with the law.