VISA
Travel to China
We strongly recommend participants to start preparing for their trip to China at least 6 weeks in advance. Before finalizing travel arrangements, please personally verify the latest entry and visa requirements. Below are three of the most convenient ways to enter China.
Disclaimer: all information might be subjected to change, For the latest details or inquiries about visa and visa-free policies, please access to the National Immigration Administration Website .
Visa Exemption
28 Countries
Agreements on
Mutual Visa Exemption
As of April 2025, the People’s Republic of China has entered into mutual visa exemption agreements with multiple countries, covering various types of passports. Among these, 28 countries have mutual visa exemption arrangements specifically for ordinary passports—eligible citizens of these 28 countries holding valid ordinary passports may visit China without a visa for a specified duration.
Eligible Countries
Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Georgia, Grenada, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Qatar, Russia, San Marino, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Suriname, Thailand, Tonga, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan.
Important Note
Mutual Visa Exemption do NOT mean visitors can stay/reside in China for an infinite period. Foreigners must stay within the permitted duration of stay. If you intend to stay beyond the limitation, you’re required to apply for stay permit in local official authority.
47 Countries
Unilateral
Visa Exemption
According to information released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China as of July 17, 2025, 46 countries are covered by China’s unilateral visa exemption policy. Citizens of these countries holding valid ordinary passports may enter China visa-free for purposes including business, tourism, family visits, exchanges, or transit, with a maximum stay of 30 days. The duration of stay is calculated from 00:00 on the day following entry.
Eligible Countries
Europe (33 countries): Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden.
Oceania (2 countries): Australia, New Zealand
Asia (7 countries): Bahrain, Brunei, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Korea
South America (5 countries): Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay
Duration of Stay: Maximum 30 Days
List of Countries Covered by Unilateral Visa Exemption Policies
240 Hours Transit Visa Free
As of June 12, 2025, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) has expanded the 240-hour visa-free transit policy to include 55 countries, with Indonesia recently added. Citizens of these countries may transit through Chongqing (and other designated ports) without a visa if they meet the following conditions:
-
Hold citizenship of one of the 55 eligible countries.
-
Possess a valid international travel document (with at least 3 months of validity remaining) and meet entry requirements for a third country/region.
-
Hold confirmed tickets or documents for travel to a third country/region within 240 hours, with a specified date and seat.
-
Enter and exit through designated ports.
Upon arrival, travelers must complete the "Arrival Card for Temporary Entry of Foreigners" and cooperate with inspections by border control authorities. During the 240-hour period, visa-free transit travelers may visit areas across 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities.
China Extends 240-hour Visa-Free Transit Policy Coverage to 55 Countries
List of 55 Eligible Countries (as of June 12, 2025)
Asian countries (7): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia |
Oceanian countries (2): Australia, New Zealand |
American countries (6): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile |
European (40): Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Ukraine. |
F VISA
Participants from countries not covered by visa exemption policies, or those planning to stay longer than the permitted visa-free duration, must apply for an F Visa. This visa is applicable for activities such as exchanges, visits, study tours, and similar engagements. Requirements may vary by country—for the latest and most accurate details, please refer to the Chinese Visa Application Service Center and China’s National Immigration Administration.
Invitation Letter
The WEO-CEGS Congress can provide eligible attendees with an invitation letter required for F Visa applications. To request an invitation letter, you must meet one of the following criteria:
-
Be invited as a speaker at the congress.
-
Have an abstract accepted for presentation at the congress.
-
Have registered for onsite participation at the congress.
Important Notes and Disclaimer
-
The visa application is the sole responsibility of the participant.
-
To request a Letter of Invitation, participants must first complete the registration process.
-
WEO-CEGS will not issue any Letters of Sponsorship or Letters of Guarantee.
-
It is the participant's responsibility to obtain any additional required documents.
-
WEO-CEGS cannot influence or appeal decisions made by embassies, consulates, or other government departments.