China Visa-free entry (30 days): Requirements, Fees, Documents & Application Guide

Visa on Arrival
China

Assistance Fee

S$ 65 .00
S$100 35% OFF

+ Government fee (paid to authorities)

Free (exempt) · L Tourist Visa: S$30–100

See official fee details

China Visa-free entry (30 days) at a glance

Government visa fee
Free
HolidaySG service fee
S$65.00
Processing time
On arrival
Maximum stay
6 days
Visa required?
Passport holders of ~54 eligible countries (incl. Singapore) transiting to a third country/region via designated ports
Arrival card
Paper/electronic arrival card
Application support from a licensed Singapore travel agency (TA04014). Official government fees are paid to the authorities and are separate from our service fee.

Do you need a visa to China?

Travellers from Mutual exemption 30 days: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, UAE, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Georgia and others. Unilateral 30-day exemption to 31 Dec 2026 for ~50 countries incl. Japan, South Korea, Australia, NZ, UK, Canada, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, Brazil, Argentina, Saudi, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait etc. Also 240-hour visa-free transit at 60 ports for 55 nationalities. can generally enter China without a visa. Passport holders of ~54 eligible countries (incl. Singapore) transiting to a third country/region via designated ports

Who does NOT need a visa

Passport holders from Mutual exemption 30 days: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, UAE, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Georgia and others. Unilateral 30-day exemption to 31 Dec 2026 for ~50 countries incl. Japan, South Korea, Australia, NZ, UK, Canada, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, Brazil, Argentina, Saudi, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait etc. Also 240-hour visa-free transit at 60 ports for 55 nationalities. do not require a visa for China for eligible short visits. Always confirm your passport type and length of stay against the official source before travelling.

Reviewed against official government sources (MFA China (Office of the Commissioner, HK)) · Last verified 19 Aug 2026 · HolidaySG — licensed Singapore travel agency (TA04014).

Official China visa options

Verified from government sources · 19 Aug 2026
Visa on arrival: Yes Online application: No

Visa-free entry (30 days)

Official fee: Free
Validity
Single transit
Max stay
6 days
Time to verify
On arrival
Time to approval
On arrival
Processing time
On arrival
Where to apply
https://www.nia.gov.cn

Who needs it: Passport holders of ~54 eligible countries (incl. Singapore) transiting to a third country/region via designated ports

Visa-free: Mutual exemption 30 days: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, UAE, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Georgia and others. Unilateral 30-day exemption to 31 Dec 2026 for ~50 countries incl. Japan, South Korea, Australia, NZ, UK, Canada, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Poland, Brazil, Argentina, Saudi, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait etc. Also 240-hour visa-free transit at 60 ports for 55 nationalities.

Required documents

  • Passport valid at least 3 months
  • Confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region within the allowed window

Arrival card: Paper/electronic arrival card

Extra charges: None

Purpose limited to tourism, business, family visits, transit — not work/study.

Source: MFA China (Office of the Commissioner, HK) · verified 19 Aug 2026. Government fees & rules change — we re-confirm at the time of your application.

L Tourist Visa

Official fee: Varies by nationality & entries (e.g. Singapore residents approx. S$30–100 + service centre fee; US citizens US$185)
Validity
Typically 3 months to multi-year depending on issuance; per issued visa
Max stay
30 days
Time to approval
About 4-7 working days standard; 2-3 days express
Processing time
About 4-7 working days standard; 2-3 days express
Where to apply
https://www.visaforchina.cn

Who needs it: Indian nationals and other non-exempt nationalities travelling for tourism

Required documents

  • Passport valid at least 6 months with blank pages
  • Completed COVA online application form (printed & signed)
  • Recent colour passport photo
  • Proof of round-trip air tickets and hotel booking or invitation
  • Biometrics (10 fingerprints) taken in person at CVASC

Arrival card: Arrival card

Extra charges: CVASC service fee; optional express service

Fingerprint collection required for most applicants aged 14–70.

Source: Chinese Visa Application Service Center · verified 19 Aug 2026. Government fees & rules change — we re-confirm at the time of your application.

30-Day Mutual Visa Exemption (Singapore)

Official fee: Free (SGD 0)
Validity
Per entry
Max stay
30 days
Time to verify
On arrival
Time to approval
On arrival
Processing time
On arrival
Where to apply
https://www.ica.gov.sg/news-and-publications/newsroom/media-release/mutual-30-day-visa-exemption-arrangement-between-singapore-and-the-people-s-republic-of-china

Who needs it: Holders of ordinary Singapore passports for tourism, business, family/friend visits, exchange visits or transit

Required documents

  • Ordinary Singapore passport valid at least 6 months

Extra charges: None. Paid work/employment requires a work visa obtained in advance.

Source: Official government source · verified 19 Aug 2026. Government fees & rules change — we re-confirm at the time of your application.

HolidaySG assistance fee: S$65 S$100 per applicant — official government fees above are separate. Apply now

Who can apply

Passport holders of ~54 eligible countries (incl. Singapore) transiting to a third country/region via designated ports

China visa requirements by nationality

Top 29 passports
Passport Requirement Max stay Need help?
🇸🇬Singapore Visa required 30 days Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇲🇾Malaysia Visa-free (up to 30 days) 30 days No visa needed
🇮🇳India Visa required Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇮🇩Indonesia Visa required Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇵🇭Philippines Visa required Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇻🇳Vietnam Visa required Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇹🇭Thailand Visa-free (up to 30 days) 30 days No visa needed
🇯🇵Japan Visa-free (up to 30 days) 30 days No visa needed
🇰🇷South Korea Visa-free (up to 30 days) 30 days No visa needed
🇦🇺Australia Visa-free (up to 30 days) 30 days No visa needed
🇬🇧United Kingdom Visa required Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇺🇸United States Visa required Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇨🇦Canada Visa required Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇩🇪Germany Visa-free (up to 30 days) 30 days No visa needed
🇫🇷France Visa-free (up to 30 days) 30 days No visa needed
🇦🇪UAE Visa-free (up to 30 days) 30 days No visa needed
🇵🇰Pakistan Visa required Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇧🇩Bangladesh Visa required Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇱🇰Sri Lanka Visa required Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇭🇰Hong Kong Visa-free No visa needed
🇹🇼Taiwan Visa-free No visa needed
🇳🇿New Zealand Visa-free (up to 30 days) 30 days No visa needed
🇸🇦Saudi Arabia Visa-free (up to 30 days) 30 days No visa needed
🇧🇷Brazil Visa-free (up to 30 days) 30 days No visa needed
🇷🇺Russia Visa-free (up to 30 days) 30 days No visa needed
🇿🇦South Africa Visa required Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇳🇬Nigeria Visa required Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇪🇬Egypt Visa required Apply with HolidaySG · S$65
🇲🇲Myanmar Visa required Apply with HolidaySG · S$65

General travel information from the Passport Index dataset; rules can depend on passport type, residence and purpose. Not your nationality? Use the checker or confirm with the official source above.

China visa — frequently asked questions

Yes — Singaporeans need a visa for China, obtained before travel through the embassy/consulate or an approved channel. HolidaySG assists for a flat S$65.
Yes — Indians need a visa for China, obtained before travel through the embassy/consulate or an approved channel. HolidaySG assists for a flat S$65.
No visa is needed — Malaysians can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Yes — Filipinos need a visa for China, obtained before travel through the embassy/consulate or an approved channel. HolidaySG assists for a flat S$65.
The official government fee for the L Tourist Visa is Varies by nationality & entries (e.g. Singapore residents approx. S$30–100 + service centre fee; US citizens US$185). HolidaySG's assistance fee is a separate flat S$65 per applicant (usually S$100).
L Tourist Visa: About 4-7 working days standard; 2-3 days express. Apply well before your travel date; we track your application until the outcome.
Typically: Passport valid at least 6 months with blank pages; Completed COVA online application form (printed & signed); Recent colour passport photo; Proof of round-trip air tickets and hotel booking or invitation; Biometrics (10 fingerprints) taken in person at CVASC. Exact requirements depend on your nationality — we send a personalised checklist.
Paper/electronic arrival card
No. Since 9 February 2024 Singapore ordinary passport holders can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days per entry for tourism, business, family visits or transit.
No. Mainland China does not issue a general online tourist e-visa; applications are made in person at a CVASC, apart from the visa-free schemes.
Up to 30 days per entry. The limit resets on each new entry; it is not an annual cap.
Eligible nationalities (incl. Singapore) transiting to a third country via designated ports can stay visa-free (up to 240 hours / 10 days under the expanded scheme), requesting it at border inspection. Indian passport holders are NOT on the eligible list.
No. Paid work or employment requires a proper work (Z) visa and permit obtained before travel.
A passport valid 6+ months, a completed COVA form, a recent photo, round-trip tickets and hotel/invitation proof, plus in-person biometrics at the CVASC.
Standard processing is around 4 working days after submission at the visa centre; expedited options may be available for an extra fee.

Before you travel to China

Reviews

Why travellers choose HolidaySG

Singapore-licensed travel agency (TA04014) · Document review before submission · Application status support · Government fees shown separately.

Ask me anything!
Luna — HolidaySG

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