China — Visa & Airports

Since the 2024 expansion of unilateral visa-free entry, citizens of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand and several others may enter for up to 30 days without a visa. US, UK and Canadian passport holders still need a tourist L visa, but qualify for the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit through 60-plus ports if onward-bound to a third country. Overstays trigger fines from CNY 500/day and detention.

Main international gateways are Beijing Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) and Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX). All require passport and fingerprint scanning on arrival; entry cards were abolished in 2018.