# China travel rule tracker: what changed, by date

> For anyone who keeps up with China’s entry rules — travel writers, journalists, travel agencies and AI assistants: every change we track to visa-free lists, transit, the arrival card, paying and booking, newest first. Each entry cites the official page it rests on. Follow it by RSS or JSON and reuse it under CC BY 4.0.

A tool in [Tools](https://chinafootnotes.com/tools). 50 changes, last added 2026-10-13. Follow along by [RSS](https://chinafootnotes.com/tools/rule-changes.xml) or as [JSON](https://chinafootnotes.com/api/changes). Each topic's current rules are in [Before you go](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go); temporary closures and event notices are on each place page.

## 2026

### Staying outside a hotel? You can now register online anywhere in China {#2026-09-21-online-stay-registration-nationwide}

**From 21 Sep 2026** · Visitors not staying in a hotel, and their hosts

- **Before:** Online registration was a pilot in seven provinces from 20 March 2026; elsewhere you went to the police station.
- **Now:** If you stay with friends or in a rented home, you or your host can register within 24 hours online: on the NIA website, in the NIA 12367 app, or in its WeChat or Alipay mini program. Police stations still accept it in person. Hotels still register you at check-in.
- **Source:** [National Immigration Administration, 2026-09-21](https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741542/c1806111/content.html); [National Immigration Administration (Announcement 2026 No. 1), 2026-03-20](https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741542/c1771531/content.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa)

### Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam join the 240-hour transit {#2026-08-20-transit-57-countries}

**Announced 20 Aug 2026** · Kyrgyz and Vietnamese passport holders transiting to a third country

- **Before:** 55 countries could use the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit.
- **Now:** 57 countries. The NIA's page now lists 65 ports in 24 provincial-level regions.
- **Source:** [National Immigration Administration, 2026-08-20](https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147468/c217849/content.html); [Shanghai Municipal People's Government, 2026-08-20](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Latest-WhatsNew/20260820/bcaad9737db44e6ab788dfd785832b6b.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-transit-240)

### Shanghai Museum on People's Square: book ahead for the Americas exhibition {#2026-07-09-shanghai-museum-americas-booking}

**From 9 Jul 2026** · Everyone visiting the People's Square building

- **Before:** Individual visitors could walk in without a reservation.
- **Now:** Until 14 November 2027 the building shows only the Americas exhibition. Book ahead on the museum's WeChat mini program, or on trip.com from overseas; the on-site office sells only what is left.
- **Source:** [Shanghai Museum, 2026-06-30](https://www.shanghaimuseum.cn/mu/frontend/pg/en/service/visit-west)
- **On our site:** [Shanghai Museum on People’s Square](https://chinafootnotes.com/places/shanghai-museum-peoples-square)

### WeChat Pay: no card fee for 90 days after you first link a foreign card {#2026-05-27-wechat-pay-first-card-90-days}

**Announced 27 May 2026** · First-time WeChat Pay users with a foreign card

- **Before:** 60 days, under the waiver announced in May 2025.
- **Now:** From the first payment, people who link an international card to WeChat for the first time pay no card fee for 90 days in a row, on up to ¥1,000 a day, Tencent says. Payments under ¥200 stay fee-free for all foreign-card users.
- **Source:** [Tencent, 2026-05-27](https://www.tencent.com/tencent-announces-three-initiatives-to-make-inbound-payments-for-international-visitors-easier-than-ever-during-apec-2026/); [Beijing Municipal People's Government, 2026-03-26](https://english.beijing.gov.cn/travellinginbeijing/essentials/inboundtourismfacilitationmeasures/202603/t20260326_4566766.html)
- **On our site:** [Paying](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/payments#fees)

### Visa-free entry for Russians extended to the end of 2027 {#2026-05-20-visa-free-russia-2027}

**Announced 20 May 2026** · Russian ordinary passport holders

- **Before:** The trial was due to end on 14 September 2026.
- **Now:** Russian ordinary passport holders can keep staying up to 30 days without a visa until 31 December 2027.
- **Source:** [Embassy of China in the Netherlands (MFA press conference transcript), 2026-05-20](https://nl.china-embassy.gov.cn/fyrthx/202605/t20260520_11914508.htm)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30)

### Shanghai Science and Technology Museum reopens after renovation; book online {#2026-02-17-shanghai-science-museum-reopens}

**From 17 Feb 2026** · Everyone visiting the museum

- **Before:** Closed for renovation.
- **Now:** The museum reopened on trial with limited, real-name tickets booked online. From 23 February 2026: Tuesday–Sunday, 9:00–17:00, closed Mondays.
- **Source:** [Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, 2026-02-11](https://whlyj.sh.gov.cn/wbzx/20260211/96b8e43e2d7c478895adfd26fcc27fbc.html)
- **On our site:** [Shanghai Science and Technology Museum](https://chinafootnotes.com/places/shanghai-science-and-technology-museum)

### China's 30-day visa-free list names 50 countries {#2026-02-17-visa-free-list-50}

**List dated 17 Feb 2026** · Ordinary passport holders of the listed countries

- **Before:** 38 countries after the November 2024 expansion, with more added during 2025.
- **Now:** The NIA's list dated 17 February 2026 names 50 countries for up to 30 days. US passports are not on it.
- **Source:** [National Immigration Administration, 2026-02-17](https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c183390/content.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30)

### The UK and Canada join the 30-day visa-free list {#2026-02-17-visa-free-uk-canada}

**From 17 Feb 2026** · British and Canadian ordinary passport holders

- **Before:** British and Canadian visitors needed a visa, or the 240-hour transit.
- **Now:** British and Canadian ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days without a visa, until 31 December 2026.
- **Source:** [Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China (spokesperson), 2026-02-15](https://www.mfa.gov.cn/fyrbt_673021/202602/t20260215_11860462.shtml)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30)

### Lingyin Temple: on-site registration ends; waitlist online, no-shows suspended {#2026-02-01-lingyin-temple-no-on-site-registration}

**From 1 Feb 2026** · Everyone visiting Lingyin and Feilai Peak

- **Before:** Visitors without a booking could register at an on-site window.
- **Now:** The on-site registration windows closed. Instead, join the online waitlist by 20:00 the day before. A first no-show blocks booking for 30 days, a second for 60, a third for 90.
- **Source:** [Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area Administration, 2026-01-27](https://westlake.hangzhou.gov.cn/col/col1639430/art/2026/art_f91a9febdd1a4c24b40a22234dc262e9.html)
- **On our site:** [Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak](https://chinafootnotes.com/places/lingyin-temple)

### Chengdu Panda Base: book up to 14 days ahead, not 7 {#2026-01-29-chengdu-panda-base-14-days}

**List dated 29 Jan 2026** · Everyone booking the Panda Base

- **Before:** Tickets could be booked up to 7 days ahead.
- **Now:** Real-name tickets can be booked up to 14 days ahead, one ticket per ID per day, until the day's quota runs out.
- **Source:** [Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, 2026-01-29](https://www.panda.org.cn/cn/news/notice/2026-01-29/8851.html); [Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, 2024-09-24](https://www.panda.org.cn/cn/news/notice/2024-09-24/8553.html)
- **On our site:** [Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding](https://chinafootnotes.com/places/chengdu-panda-base)

## 2025

### NIA warns of copycat arrival card sites that charge money {#2025-12-02-arrival-card-copycat-warning}

**Announced 2 Dec 2025** · Notice · Everyone filling in the arrival card online

- **Now:** The official online arrival card is free. Use s.nia.gov.cn, the NIA 12367 app or the QR code at the port.
- **Source:** [National Immigration Administration, 2025-12-02](https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1755806/content.html)
- **On our site:** [China arrival card](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/arrival-card)

### Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak become free, but you must book a slot {#2025-12-01-lingyin-temple-free-book-ahead}

**From 1 Dec 2025** · Everyone visiting Lingyin and Feilai Peak

- **Before:** Entry needed a paid ticket.
- **Now:** Entry is free with a real-name booking in the 杭州灵隐飞来峰 mini program (Alipay or WeChat), up to 7 days ahead; no same-day bookings. Visitors from outside the mainland book with a passport.
- **Source:** [Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area Administration, 2026-01-29](https://westlake.hangzhou.gov.cn/col/col1639430/art/2026/art_02cd460e696847cfb8f3d9951424e77d.html)
- **On our site:** [Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak](https://chinafootnotes.com/places/lingyin-temple)

### The arrival card can be filled in online before you fly {#2025-11-20-arrival-card-online}

**From 20 Nov 2025** · Foreign visitors entering China

- **Before:** Paper cards, kiosks or a QR code at the border.
- **Now:** Fill it in before you land at s.nia.gov.cn, in the NIA 12367 app, or in the WeChat or Alipay mini program. The border still offers a QR code, kiosks and paper cards.
- **Source:** [National Immigration Administration, 2025-11-03](https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147413/c187308/content.html)
- **On our site:** [China arrival card](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/arrival-card)

### 240-hour transit adds five Guangdong ports near Hong Kong and Macao: 65 in all {#2025-11-05-transit-65-ports}

**From 5 Nov 2025** · Transit passengers of the eligible countries

- **Before:** 60 entry ports.
- **Now:** Guangzhou Pazhou port, Hengqin, the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge, Zhongshan port and Hong Kong West Kowloon station (high-speed rail) became entry ports for the 240-hour transit, making 65 ports in 24 provincial-level regions.
- **Source:** [National Immigration Administration, 2025-11-03](https://www.nia.gov.cn/n897453/c1751080/content.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-transit-240)

### 30-day visa-free entry extended to the end of 2026, and Sweden added {#2025-11-03-visa-free-extended-2026}

**Announced 3 Nov 2025** · Ordinary passport holders of the listed countries

- **Before:** The policy was due to end on 31 December 2025.
- **Now:** For most listed countries it now runs to 31 December 2026; Sweden joined the list.
- **Source:** [State Council (english.www.gov.cn), 2025-11-04](https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202511/04/content_WS690964b0c6d00ca5f9a0749d.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30)

### Three Gorges Museum: no booking, walk in with ID {#2025-10-01-three-gorges-museum-walk-in}

**From 1 Oct 2025** · Everyone visiting the main museum in Chongqing

- **Before:** Visitors had to book ahead.
- **Now:** Walk in with a valid ID. The museum may post crowd warnings on its WeChat account when it gets busy.
- **Source:** [Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum, 2025-09-30](https://www.3gmuseum.cn/web/article/1430010139317059584/web/content_1430010139317059584.html)
- **On our site:** [Three Gorges Museum](https://chinafootnotes.com/places/three-gorges-museum)

### Russia joins the 30-day visa-free list as a one-year trial {#2025-09-15-visa-free-russia-trial}

**From 15 Sep 2025** · Russian ordinary passport holders

- **Now:** Russian ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days without a visa, from 15 September 2025 to 14 September 2026.
- **Since replaced:** [Visa-free entry for Russians extended to the end of 2027](#2026-05-20-visa-free-russia-2027) (20 May 2026)
- **Source:** [Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, 2025-09-02](https://www.mfa.gov.cn/wjbzwfwpt/kzx/tzgg/202509/t20250902_11700533.html); [Chinese central government (gov.cn) / Xinhua, 2025-09-02](https://www.gov.cn/lianbo/bumen/202509/content_7038859.htm)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30)

### Shanghai Museum on People's Square: walk in without booking {#2025-09-01-shanghai-museum-walk-in}

**From 1 Sep 2025** · Individual visitors

- **Before:** Visitors needed a reservation.
- **Now:** Individual visitors could enter without a reservation; major exhibitions could still require one.
- **Since replaced:** [Shanghai Museum on People's Square: book ahead for the Americas exhibition](#2026-07-09-shanghai-museum-americas-booking) (9 Jul 2026)
- **Source:** [Shanghai Museum, 2025-08-25](https://www.shanghaimuseum.net/mu/frontend/pg/m/article/id/I00004797)
- **On our site:** [Shanghai Museum on People’s Square](https://chinafootnotes.com/places/shanghai-museum-peoples-square)

### National Museum of China: one booking a week per account, up to 7 days ahead {#2025-08-01-national-museum-booking-limits}

**From 1 Aug 2025** · Everyone booking the National Museum

- **Now:** Book up to 7 days ahead, in three entry slots; tickets are released daily at 17:00. Each account can book once a week for up to 5 people; each ID up to 4 times a month. Three no-shows block booking for 30 days. Closed Mondays except public holidays.
- **Source:** [National Museum of China, 2025-07-25](https://www.chnmuseum.cn/gbgg/202507/t20250725_272247.shtml)
- **On our site:** [National Museum of China](https://chinafootnotes.com/places/national-museum-of-china)

### Malaysia moves from the one-sided visa-free list to a mutual agreement {#2025-07-17-mutual-malaysia}

**From 17 Jul 2025** · Malaysian ordinary passport holders

- **Before:** Malaysians came in under China's one-sided visa-free policy (since 1 December 2023).
- **Now:** Malaysian ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days per stay and 90 days in any 180 days under a mutual visa exemption agreement.
- **Source:** [China Consular Service (MFA), list of mutual visa exemption agreements, 2026-07-16](https://cs.mfa.gov.cn/zggmcgx/cgqzapecswlxk/ylb/202607/t20260716_11984014.html); [National Immigration Administration (Q&A on mutual visa exemption), 2025-06-27](https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1731181/content.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-mutual)

### Azerbaijan and China drop visas for each other's citizens {#2025-07-16-mutual-azerbaijan}

**From 16 Jul 2025** · Azerbaijani ordinary passport holders

- **Now:** Ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days per stay and 90 days in any 180 days, both ways, under a mutual visa exemption agreement.
- **Source:** [China Consular Service (MFA), list of mutual visa exemption agreements, 2026-07-16](https://cs.mfa.gov.cn/zggmcgx/cgqzapecswlxk/ylb/202607/t20260716_11984014.html); [National Immigration Administration (Q&A on mutual visa exemption), 2025-06-27](https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1731181/content.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-mutual)

### Shanghai metro: tap a contactless bank card at the gate, on every line {#2025-06-28-shanghai-metro-tap-card}

**From 28 Jun 2025** · Visitors riding the Shanghai metro

- **Before:** You needed a metro code in an app, a transport card or a single-journey ticket.
- **Now:** UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and JCB contactless cards (some chip types excluded) work at the gates across the whole network, after a trial on the Maglev.
- **Source:** [Shanghai Municipal People's Government, 2025-06-27](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Latest-WhatsNew/20250627/d8f21f2e7d3b45a5b03757e35039b806.html)
- **On our site:** [Getting around](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/getting-around#metro)

### Beijing metro gates take JCB and American Express too {#2025-06-15-beijing-metro-jcb-amex}

**From 15 Jun 2025** · Visitors riding the Beijing metro

- **Before:** Visa and Mastercard only.
- **Now:** All 29 lines, including the two airport express lines, take UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, JCB and American Express contactless cards at the gate.
- **Source:** [Beijing Municipal People's Government, 2025-06-16](https://english.beijing.gov.cn/latest/news/202506/t20250616_4114250.html)
- **On our site:** [Getting around](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/getting-around#metro)

### Indonesia joins the 240-hour visa-free transit {#2025-06-12-transit-indonesia}

**From 12 Jun 2025** · Indonesian passport holders in transit to a third country

- **Before:** 54 countries were eligible.
- **Now:** Indonesian citizens can use the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit, making 55 eligible countries.
- **Source:** [National Immigration Administration, 2025-06-12](https://www.nia.gov.cn/n897453/c1722957/content.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-transit-240)

### Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain join the 30-day visa-free list {#2025-06-09-visa-free-gulf-four}

**From 9 Jun 2025** · Ordinary passport holders of the four countries

- **Now:** Ordinary passport holders from the four countries can stay up to 30 days without a visa. The trial first ran to 8 June 2026 and was later extended to 31 December 2026.
- **Source:** [Chinese central government (gov.cn) / Xinhua, 2025-05-28](https://www.gov.cn/lianbo/bumen/202505/content_7025629.htm); [Chinese Visa Application Service Center (notice on extending visa-free entry)](https://bio.visaforchina.cn/BRN4_EN/tongzhigonggao/552376639691034668.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30)

### Uzbekistan and China drop visas for each other's citizens {#2025-06-01-mutual-uzbekistan}

**From 1 Jun 2025** · Uzbek ordinary passport holders

- **Now:** Ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days per stay and 90 days in any 180 days, both ways, under a mutual visa exemption agreement.
- **Source:** [China Consular Service (MFA), list of mutual visa exemption agreements, 2026-07-16](https://cs.mfa.gov.cn/zggmcgx/cgqzapecswlxk/ylb/202607/t20260716_11984014.html); [National Immigration Administration (Q&A on mutual visa exemption), 2025-06-27](https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1731181/content.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-mutual)

### Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay join the 30-day visa-free list {#2025-06-01-visa-free-latin-america-five}

**From 1 Jun 2025** · Ordinary passport holders of the five countries

- **Now:** Ordinary passport holders from the five countries can stay up to 30 days without a visa. The trial first ran to 31 May 2026 and was later extended to 31 December 2026.
- **Source:** [Chinese central government (gov.cn) / Xinhua, 2025-05-15](https://www.gov.cn/lianbo/bumen/202505/content_7023886.htm); [Chinese Visa Application Service Center (notice on extending visa-free entry)](https://bio.visaforchina.cn/BRN4_EN/tongzhigonggao/552376639691034668.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30)

### WeChat Pay: 60 fee-free days for first-time foreign-card users {#2025-05-28-wechat-pay-new-card-60-days}

**Announced 28 May 2025** · Visitors paying with a foreign card linked to WeChat

- **Now:** Link an international card to WeChat Pay for the first time and the 3% fee is waived for 60 days from your first payment, on up to ¥1,000 a day (at most ¥30 saved per payment). Payments under ¥200 are fee-free for all foreign-card users.
- **Since replaced:** [WeChat Pay: no card fee for 90 days after you first link a foreign card](#2026-05-27-wechat-pay-first-card-90-days) (27 May 2026)
- **Source:** [Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing, 2025-05-28](https://wb.beijing.gov.cn/en/express/202505/t20250529_4101522.html); [Beijing Municipal People's Government, 2026-03-26](https://english.beijing.gov.cn/travellinginbeijing/essentials/inboundtourismfacilitationmeasures/202603/t20260326_4566766.html)
- **On our site:** [Paying](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/payments#fees)

### National Museum of China: only verified accounts can book {#2025-05-06-national-museum-verified-accounts}

**From 6 May 2025** · Everyone booking the National Museum

- **Before:** Any account could book.
- **Now:** Bookings need an account verified by the national online ID service or WeChat. The notice does not say how foreign passport holders verify.
- **Source:** [National Museum of China, 2025-04-15](https://www.chnmuseum.cn/gbgg/202504/t20250414_271459.shtml)
- **On our site:** [National Museum of China](https://chinafootnotes.com/places/national-museum-of-china)

### Shaanxi History Museum: new booking system, tickets released 5 days ahead {#2025-01-14-shaanxi-history-museum-5-day-release}

**From 14 Jan 2025** · Everyone booking the Shaanxi History Museum

- **Now:** Tickets for the main building are released 5 days ahead at 17:00 (Qin-Han hall at 17:30), on the new booking system.
- **Source:** [Shaanxi History Museum, 2025-01-13](https://www.sxhm.com/info/announcement/detail/17187.html)
- **On our site:** [Shaanxi History Museum (main building)](https://chinafootnotes.com/places/shaanxi-history-museum)

## 2024

### 72- and 144-hour transit replaced by a single 240-hour stay {#2024-12-17-transit-240-hours}

**From 17 Dec 2024** · Passport holders of the eligible countries in transit

- **Before:** Visa-free transit of 72 or 144 hours, through 39 ports in 19 provincial-level regions.
- **Now:** 240 hours (10 days) for 54 countries, through 60 ports in 24 provincial-level regions. You still need an onward ticket to a third country or region.
- **Source:** [State Council (english.www.gov.cn), 2024-12-17](https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202412/17/content_WS6760ead6c6d0868f4e8ee0c1.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-transit-240)

### Visa-free stays go from 15 days to 30, and nine more countries join {#2024-11-30-visa-free-30-days}

**From 30 Nov 2024** · Ordinary passport holders of the listed countries

- **Before:** Up to 15 days visa-free for the listed countries.
- **Now:** Up to 30 days. Nine more countries, Japan among them, joined, making 38.
- **Source:** [State Council (english.www.gov.cn), 2024-11-22](https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202411/22/content_WS67407351c6d0868f4e8ed533.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30)

### South Korea, the Nordics and four more European countries join the visa-free list {#2024-11-08-visa-free-south-korea-nordics}

**From 8 Nov 2024** · Ordinary passport holders of the nine countries

- **Now:** Ordinary passport holders from Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein and South Korea could stay up to 15 days without a visa, until 31 December 2025.
- **Source:** [Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, 2024-11-01](https://www.mfa.gov.cn/wjbzwfwpt/kzx/tzgg/202411/t20241101_11520010.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30)

### Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Slovenia join the visa-free list {#2024-10-15-visa-free-portugal-greece-cyprus-slovenia}

**From 15 Oct 2024** · Ordinary passport holders of the four countries

- **Now:** Ordinary passport holders from the four countries could stay up to 15 days without a visa, until 31 December 2025.
- **Source:** [Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, 2024-09-30](https://www.mfa.gov.cn/wjbzwfwpt/kzx/tzgg/202409/t20240930_11501298.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30)

### Chengdu Panda Base: Trip.com and other apps sell tickets again {#2024-09-24-chengdu-panda-base-resellers}

**List dated 24 Sep 2024** · Everyone booking the Panda Base

- **Before:** From 1 January 2024 tickets were sold only on the base's own WeChat account and mini program.
- **Now:** The base lists Meituan, Trip.com, Douyin and two Chengdu WeChat accounts as authorised sellers, next to its own WeChat channels. Without a Chinese mobile number, buy on Trip.com, or at the cash and card window when tickets are left.
- **Source:** [Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, 2024-09-24](https://www.panda.org.cn/cn/news/notice/2024-09-24/8553.html); [Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, 2023-12-18](https://www.panda.org.cn/cn/news/notice/2023-12-18/8271.html)
- **On our site:** [Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding](https://chinafootnotes.com/places/chengdu-panda-base)

### Shanghai Museum East: individual visitors walk in with valid ID, no booking {#2024-09-15-shanghai-museum-east-walk-in}

**From 15 Sep 2024** · Individual visitors

- **Before:** Booking needed.
- **Now:** Individual visitors can enter without booking through the B1 east entrance with valid ID. The Ancient Civilisation exploration hall and the digital gallery still need a booking. Closed Tuesdays.
- **Source:** [Shanghai Museum, 2024-09-10](https://www.shanghaimuseum.net/mu/frontend/pg/article/id/I00004683)
- **On our site:** [Shanghai Museum East](https://chinafootnotes.com/places/shanghai-museum-east)

### Beijing metro: tap a foreign Visa or Mastercard at the gate {#2024-09-13-beijing-metro-tap-foreign-card}

**From 13 Sep 2024** · Visitors riding the Beijing metro

- **Now:** Overseas Visa and Mastercard contactless cards started working at Beijing metro gates.
- **Source:** [Beijing Municipal People's Government, 2025-06-16](https://english.beijing.gov.cn/latest/news/202506/t20250616_4114250.html)
- **On our site:** [Getting around](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/getting-around#metro)

### Australia, New Zealand and Poland join the visa-free list {#2024-07-01-visa-free-australia-nz-poland}

**From 1 Jul 2024** · Ordinary passport holders of the three countries

- **Now:** Ordinary passport holders from Australia, New Zealand and Poland could stay up to 15 days without a visa, until 31 December 2025.
- **Source:** [Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing (reposting the MFA notice), 2024-06-25](https://wb.beijing.gov.cn/home/index/wsjx/202406/t20240625_3727614.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30)

### Georgia and China drop visas for each other's citizens {#2024-05-28-mutual-georgia}

**From 28 May 2024** · Georgian ordinary passport holders

- **Now:** Ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days per stay and 90 days in any 180 days, both ways, under a mutual visa exemption agreement.
- **Source:** [China Consular Service (MFA), list of mutual visa exemption agreements, 2026-07-16](https://cs.mfa.gov.cn/zggmcgx/cgqzapecswlxk/ylb/202607/t20260716_11984014.html); [National Immigration Administration (Q&A on mutual visa exemption), 2025-06-27](https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1731181/content.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-mutual)

### Visa-free entry for the first 12 countries extended to the end of 2025 {#2024-05-07-visa-free-extended-2025}

**Announced 7 May 2024** · Ordinary passport holders of the 12 countries

- **Before:** The trial for these countries was due to end on 30 November 2024.
- **Now:** China extended visa-free entry for France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg to 31 December 2025.
- **Source:** [Chinese central government (gov.cn) / Xinhua, 2024-05-07](https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/jiedu/tujie/202405/content_6949641.htm)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30)

### Shanghai Museum: English booking site, and tickets 14 days ahead {#2024-04-19-shanghai-museum-english-booking}

**From 19 Apr 2024** · Overseas visitors to Shanghai Museum

- **Before:** Bookings opened 7 days ahead; there was no English booking channel for overseas visitors.
- **Now:** Overseas visitors could book on the museum's English site with an email address, and get the booking QR code by email. Bookings opened 14 days ahead.
- **Since replaced:** [Shanghai Museum on People's Square: walk in without booking](#2025-09-01-shanghai-museum-walk-in) (1 Sep 2025)
- **Source:** [Shanghai Museum, 2024-04-19](https://www.shanghaimuseum.net/mu/frontend/pg/article/id/I00004643)
- **On our site:** [Shanghai Museum on People’s Square](https://chinafootnotes.com/places/shanghai-museum-peoples-square)

### Six more European countries get 15 days visa-free, Switzerland among them {#2024-03-14-visa-free-six-more}

**From 14 Mar 2024** · Ordinary passport holders of the six countries

- **Before:** Six countries (France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia) were on the trial.
- **Now:** Ordinary passport holders from Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg could stay up to 15 days without a visa, at first until 30 November 2024.
- **Source:** [Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, 2024-03-07](https://www.mfa.gov.cn/wjbzwfwpt/kzx/tzgg/202403/t20240307_11255438.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30)

### Alipay and WeChat Pay limits for foreign visitors raised to US$5,000 a payment {#2024-03-01-mobile-pay-limits-raised}

**Announced 1 Mar 2024** · Visitors paying with Alipay or WeChat Pay and a foreign card

- **Before:** US$1,000 a payment and US$10,000 a year.
- **Now:** The central bank said the per-payment limit for overseas users would rise from US$1,000 to US$5,000, and the yearly limit from US$10,000 to US$50,000.
- **Source:** [State Council Information Office briefing (gov.cn), 2024-03-01](https://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2024zccfh/7/index.htm)
- **On our site:** [Paying](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/payments#limits)

### Thailand and China drop visas for each other's citizens {#2024-03-01-mutual-thailand}

**From 1 Mar 2024** · Thai ordinary passport holders

- **Now:** Ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days per stay and 90 days in any 180 days, both ways, under a mutual visa exemption agreement.
- **Source:** [China Consular Service (MFA), list of mutual visa exemption agreements, 2026-07-16](https://cs.mfa.gov.cn/zggmcgx/cgqzapecswlxk/ylb/202607/t20260716_11984014.html); [National Immigration Administration (Q&A on mutual visa exemption), 2025-06-27](https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1731181/content.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-mutual)

### Singapore and China drop visas for each other's citizens {#2024-02-09-mutual-singapore}

**From 9 Feb 2024** · Singaporean ordinary passport holders

- **Now:** Ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days per stay and 90 days in any 180 days, both ways, under a mutual visa exemption agreement.
- **Source:** [China Consular Service (MFA), list of mutual visa exemption agreements, 2026-07-16](https://cs.mfa.gov.cn/zggmcgx/cgqzapecswlxk/ylb/202607/t20260716_11984014.html); [National Immigration Administration (Q&A on mutual visa exemption), 2025-06-27](https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1731181/content.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-mutual)

## 2023

### One-sided visa-free entry begins as a trial for six countries {#2023-12-01-visa-free-trial}

**From 1 Dec 2023** · Passport holders of the six countries

- **Now:** Ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia could stay up to 15 days without a visa.
- **Source:** [Beijing Municipal People's Government (Xinhua), 2023-11-25](https://english.beijing.gov.cn/latest/news/202311/t20231125_3309521.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30)

### 12306 checks foreign passports online, so no station visit before buying trains {#2023-11-28-12306-passport-online-check}

**From 28 Nov 2023** · Foreign visitors booking trains on 12306

- **Before:** You had to show your passport at a station window before buying online.
- **Now:** On the 12306 rail site and app, foreign passport holders can verify their identity online, automatically or by uploading a passport photo for manual review. Station windows still do it too.
- **Source:** [Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing (China Railway), 2023-11-29](https://wb.beijing.gov.cn/home/index/wsjx/202311/t20231129_3320443.html)
- **On our site:** [Getting around](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/getting-around#trains)

### Norway joins the 72/144-hour visa-free transit {#2023-11-17-transit-norway}

**From 17 Nov 2023** · Norwegian passport holders in transit to a third country

- **Before:** 53 countries were eligible.
- **Now:** Norwegian citizens can use the 72- and 144-hour visa-free transit, making 54 eligible countries.
- **Source:** [Chinese central government (gov.cn) (reposting the NIA), 2023-11-17](https://www.gov.cn/lianbo/bumen/202311/content_6915808.htm)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-transit-240)

### Kazakhstan and China drop visas for each other's citizens {#2023-11-10-mutual-kazakhstan}

**From 10 Nov 2023** · Kazakh ordinary passport holders

- **Now:** Ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days per stay and 90 days in any 180 days, both ways, under a mutual visa exemption agreement.
- **Source:** [China Consular Service (MFA), list of mutual visa exemption agreements, 2026-07-16](https://cs.mfa.gov.cn/zggmcgx/cgqzapecswlxk/ylb/202607/t20260716_11984014.html); [National Immigration Administration (Q&A on mutual visa exemption), 2025-06-27](https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1731181/content.html)
- **On our site:** [Visa](https://chinafootnotes.com/before-you-go/visa#route-mutual)

### Forbidden City tickets split into morning and afternoon slots {#2023-11-01-forbidden-city-half-day-slots}

**From 1 Nov 2023** · Everyone visiting the Palace Museum

- **Now:** Book a morning or an afternoon slot on the Palace Museum WeChat mini program. Morning tickets must be scanned by 12:00; afternoon tickets from 11:00.
- **Source:** [The Palace Museum, 2023-10-24](https://www.dpm.org.cn/announce_detail/261778.html)
- **On our site:** [The Palace Museum (Forbidden City)](https://chinafootnotes.com/places/forbidden-city)

## Use and cite this page {#use-and-cite}

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Cite as: “China travel rule tracker: what changed, by date”, China Footnotes, https://chinafootnotes.com/tools/rule-changes (checked 2026-10-13). CC BY 4.0.

Rules change. We update this page when the official pages do, and add each change here.