As of September, 2025, travelers from 86 countries around the world are eligible to enter Hainan visa-free thanks to the combined effects of China’s different national visa-free policies (both bilateral and unilateral), China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy, and Hainan’s 59 country visa-free entry policy. In addition, international tour groups are eligible to enter Hainan visa-free through the 144-hour visa-free entry policy for groups from Hong Kong and Macao, as well as the 15-day visa-free policy for cruise ship travelers.

Comprehensive Bilateral Visa-Free and Unilateral Visa-Free Entry Policies (76 Countries)

As of September, 2025, travelers from a total of 29 countries are eligible for bilateral visa-free entry, with travelers from a total of 47 countries eligible for unilateral visa-free entry. Travelers holding ordinary passports from these 76 countries are eligible to enter China visa-free through all open ports of entry.

Comprehensive Bilateral Visa-Free Entry Policy (29 Countries)

Eligible countries: Albania, the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, San Marino, Suriname, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tonga, Singapore, Armenia, and Uzbekistan.

Ports of Entry: All open ports of entry in China.

Reasons for Visa-Free Entry: Bilateral visa-free agreement.

Length of Stay in China: Determined by the specific bilateral visa-free agreement.

Unilateral Visa-Free Entry Policy (47 Countries)

Eligible countries: Andorra, Argentina, Oman, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Bahrain, Belgium, Peru, Brunei, Bulgaria, Russia, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay, and Chile.

Ports of Entry: All open ports of entry in China.

Reasons for Visa-Free Entry: Business, sightseeing, visiting relatives or friends, exchanges, or transit.

Length of Stay in China: No more than 30 days.

240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy

Travelers from 55 countries holding valid international travel documents and connecting tickets with confirmed dates and seats who are transiting through China to a third country (region) are eligible to enter China visa-free through any of 60 open ports in 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) including Hainan (Haikou Meilan International Airport and Sanya Phoenix International Airport).

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

Reasons for Visa-Free Entry: Tourism, business, visits, and family visits. Travel for work, study, media interviews, and other activities requiring prior approval still requires a visa.

Length of Stay in China: Not to exceed 240 hours in the designated area (those eligible for visa-free entry through bilateral or unilateral visa-free entry agreements are subject to the provisions of the relevant agreements).

Hainan’s 59 Country Visa-Free Entry Policy

Thanks to State Council approval, travelers from 59 countries are eligible to enter Hainan visa-free and stay for no more than 30 days for the purposes of tourism, business, visits, family visits, medical treatment, exhibitions, and sports competitions (not including travel for work or study).

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

Ports of Entry: All open ports of entry in Hainan Province (Haikou Meilan Airport, Sanya Phoenix Airport, Qionghai Boao Airport, etc.).

Reasons for Visa-Free Entry: Tourism, business, visits, visiting relatives or friends, medical treatment, meetings and exhibitions, and sports competitions.

Scope of travel: Administrative regions of Hainan Province.

Length of stay in Hainan: No more than 30 days.

Hainan’s 144-Hour Visa-Free Entry Policy for International Tour Groups from Hong Kong and Macao

After arriving in Hong Kong or Macao, travelers holding ordinary passports from countries that have established diplomatic ties with China are eligible to enter Hainan visa-free for the purpose of tourism in groups (of two or more people) organized by travel agencies legally registered in Hong Kong or Macao, and may stay in Hainan for no more than 144 hours.

Ports of Entry: All open ports of entry in Hainan Province (Haikou Meilan Airport, Sanya Phoenix Airport, Qionghai Boao Airport, etc.).

Visa-free methods and reasons for entry: After arriving in Hong Kong or Macao, travelers may visit Hainan in a group organized by travel agencies legally registered in Hong Kong and Macao.

Scope of travel: Administrative regions of Hainan Province.

Length of stay in Hainan: No more than 144 hours.

15-Day Cruise Ship Visa Free Entry Policy

Groups of (2 or more) international travelers organized by domestic travel agencies and arriving via cruise ship are eligible to enter China visa-free through cruise ports in thirteen cities, including Haikou and Sanya in Hainan Province, and may remain in China for no more than 15 days.

Ports of Entry: The thirteen designated cruise ports are located in Haikou, Sanya, Tianjin, Dalian, Shanghai, Lianyungang, Wenzhou, Zhoushan, Xiamen, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Beihai.

Reasons for visa-free entry: International tour groups arriving on cruise ships.

Scope of travel: Coastal provinces, regions, and municipalities, as well as Beijing.

Length of stay in Hainan: No more than 15 days.

Tips:

1. For travelers entering Hainan visa-free who are eligible for entry under the national visa-free entry policy, the 240-hour visa-free entry policy, and the Hainan 59 country visa-free entry policy, it’s recommended to enter under the national visa-free entry policy first.

2. Travelers from ten countries (Russia, Ukraine, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, Lithuania, Mexico, the Czech Republic, and Indonesia) who are not eligible for visa-free entry under the national visa-free-entry policy but are eligible for visa-free entry under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy as well as Hainan’s 59-country visa-free entry policy may choose the policy most suited to their purpose of entry, scope of travel, and length of stay.

3. Travelers who need to apply for a visa for legitimate and reasonable purposes during their visa-free stay in Hainan must apply to the Exit and Entry Administration Department of the Hainan Province Public Security Bureau before the end of the visa-free stay period.