China’s Regional Visa-Free Schemes: Hainan, Bilateral Deals & Hainan 30 Days

The short answer

China’s visa-free landscape is not just two lists. There are also regional schemes (most notably 30 days in Hainan for 61 countries) and bilateral agreements with around 29 countries. If a scheme applies to you, it can be simpler than the transit rules, but each has its own area, purpose, and stay limits.

The main schemes

Scheme	Scope	Stay	Notes
Unilateral 30-day entry	Nationwide	30 days	50 countries; no third-country rule
240-hour transit	65 ports, 24 provinces	240 hours	57 countries; third-country ticket required
Hainan 30-day	Hainan Province only	30 days	61 countries; tourism, business, family, medical, conferences, sports
Bilateral agreements	Nationwide	Typically 30 days per entry, 90 days per 180	~29 countries
Hong Kong / Macao group tours	Specific routes	Varies	Tourist-group conditions apply

Hainan: 30 days without a visa

Hainan runs its own visa-free policy, separate from the national rules:

• Who: ordinary passport holders from 61 countries
• How long: up to 30 days
• Purpose: tourism, business, visits, family, medical treatment, conferences and exhibitions, sports competitions
• Not allowed: work or study
• Where: within Hainan Province; entry through all open ports in Hainan

Because Hainan’s list is broader than the national 30-day list, some travelers who do not qualify nationally can still enter Hainan visa-free. If your trip is a beach stopover, check this route.

Bilateral agreements

China has mutual visa-exemption agreements with around 29 countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the UAE, Qatar, Kazakhstan, and several others. The typical structure is a stay of up to 30 days per entry, with a cumulative cap within a 180-day period.

Where a bilateral agreement exists, it takes precedence over the general unilateral scheme, and it may be more generous. Always check whether your country has a bilateral deal before assuming the 30-day unilateral list is your only option.

How to check which applies

1. Find your nationality on the NIA unilateral list and the 240-hour transit list.
2. Check for a bilateral agreement. These are usually the most flexible.
3. If your destination is Hainan, check the regional scheme separately.
4. Confirm with the airline before booking non-refundable travel; they check at boarding.

Important caveats

• Schemes change and are renewed in waves. A country on a list today may not be next year.
• Purpose matters. Tourism, business, and family visits are covered; work, study, and journalism are not.
• Do not stack schemes creatively. Trying to route around the rules is a common cause of refusal.
• The scheme must match your actual itinerary, not just your passport.

Bottom line

Before assuming you need a visa, check three things: the national 30-day list, the 240-hour transit rule, and any bilateral agreement. If your destination is Hainan, check that scheme too. For the national picture, start with 30-day visa-free entry vs 240-hour transit.