🇦🇺Australia

🇨🇳ChinaAU-CN

Australia to China visa requirements

Q: How long can I stay in China without a visa?

Up to 30 days per entry. The count runs from the day after your entry date until 24:00 on the 30th day.

Q: What if I want to stay longer than 30 days?

You must apply for an appropriate visa (such as a tourist L visa) at a Chinese visa centre before you travel; the visa-free policy cannot be extended in-country.

Q: Do I need to register with the police?

If you stay in a hotel, registration is done automatically at check-in. If you stay in private accommodation, you must register at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival.

Q: Do I need to complete an Arrival Card?

Yes. Complete the 'Arrival Card for Temporary Entry Foreigners' online before departure or on paper at the port of entry.

Q: Does visa-free entry cover work or study?

No. Work requires a Z visa and study requires an X visa, obtained in advance. The visa-free policy only covers short business, tourism, family, exchange and transit visits.

Australian ordinary passport holders can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchange or transit, under China's unilateral visa-free policy now extended to 31 December 2026. As of 19 June 2026, holders of ordinary Australian passports do NOT need a visa for short visits to China. Under China's unilateral visa-free policy (first effective 1 July 2024, broadened from 30 November 2024, and extended on 5 November 2025), Australians may enter China for business, tourism, visiting family and friends, exchange visits, or transit for a single continuous stay of up to 30 days, without applying for any visa. The policy is currently valid through 31 December 2026. No application, fee, eVisa, or visa-on-arrival is required — simply travel on a valid ordinary passport. Chinese Embassy FAQs say the passport must be valid for at least the intended stay in China. Smartraveller says travellers must complete an electronic arrival card before arrival or at the point of entry, and border officers may ask for invitation letters, air tickets, or accommodation reservations matching the purpose of entry. Anyone staying longer than 30 days, or travelling for work, study, news coverage, or similar regulated purposes, must obtain the appropriate visa before arrival. Visitors staying in private accommodation (not a hotel) must register with the local police station within 24 hours of arrival; hotels handle this automatically at check-in.

VISA-FREETOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-19

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →Australia (PR)Living in Australia as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-19

Visa type

Visa-free (unilateral visa exemption)

Maximum stay

Up to 30 days per entry

per entry

Entries

Single entry per visit (re-entry permitted under the same policy)

from issue date

Visa fee

AUD 0 / free

consular fee only

Processing time

None — no application required

standard track

Validity

Policy in effect through 31 December 2026; passport must be valid for the intended stay

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm you qualify

Hold an ordinary (not official/diplomatic) Australian passport and travel for tourism, business, family/friend visits, exchange or transit. The visa-free stay must be 30 days or fewer.

· Ordinary passport· Eligible purposes only

/02

Check passport validity

Chinese Embassy FAQs say ordinary passports must be valid for at least the duration of the intended stay in China.

· Valid for stay

/03

Prepare supporting documents

Carry proof of onward or return travel within 30 days and confirmation of accommodation. Border officers may ask to see these.

· Return ticket· Hotel booking

/04

Complete the electronic arrival card

Smartraveller says travellers must complete an electronic arrival card before arrival or at the point of entry.

· Online or on arrival

/05

Enter China visa-free

Present your passport at immigration; no visa is required. The 30-day count runs from the day after entry to 24:00 on the 30th day.

· No visa needed

/06

If staying in a hotel, registration is automatic at check-in. If staying in private accommodation, register with the local police station within 24 hours of arrival.

· Police registration· Within 24h

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items

Personalized checklist

Australia -> China · Visa-free (unilateral visa exemption)

0 / 12 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredOrdinary Australian passport valid for intended stay

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredTravel purpose is tourism, business, family visit, exchange or transit

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RequiredIntended stay is 30 days or fewer

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

RecommendedConfirmed onward or return ticket within 30 days

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

RecommendedProof of accommodation (hotel booking or host address)

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

RequiredCompleted electronic arrival card (before travel or at entry point)

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

required

ConditionalPolice registration within 24h if not staying in a hotel

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RecommendedTravel insurance covering China

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

recommended

RecommendedSufficient funds for the duration of stay

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

recommended

ConditionalOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesEmbassy of the PRC in Australia — Notice on Extension of Visa-free Policy (5 Nov 2025)Embassy of the PRC in Australia — FAQs on Visa-free Entry into China Smartraveller (Australian Government) — China Travel Advice, updated 10 Jun 2026

Application link included: Embassy of the PRC in Australia — Notice on Extension of Visa-free Policy (5 Nov 2025)

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Visa feeAUD 0No visa required under the visa-free policy

Application / service feeAUD 0No application is submitted

Arrival CardAUD 0Free to complete online or at the port of entry

Total estimateAUD 0 — AUD 0incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free entry

Immediate at the border

No application or processing — present a valid passport on arrival and complete the Arrival Card.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Stay exceeds 30 days

Visits longer than 30 days require a tourist (L) visa or other appropriate visa obtained in advance.

Medium

/02

Work or study

Employment requires a Z visa and study requires an X visa; these are never covered by the visa-free policy.

Medium

/03

Non-ordinary passport

Diplomatic, official or service passport holders follow separate rules and may need a visa.

Low

/04

Journalism or other restricted activities

Reporting, performances, or other regulated activities require a specific visa regardless of stay length.

Low

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Use the foreign visitor lanes, keep hotel or invitation details handy, and make sure your entry purpose matches the visa-free category.

/02

Registration

Hotels normally register foreign guests automatically. If staying in a private residence, complete temporary residence registration with local police within 24 hours.

/03

Connectivity

Install maps, translation, and payment apps before travel. Some foreign services may not work reliably without roaming or a compliant VPN.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-06-19

Reviewed by Claude Code

Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.

2026-06-19 · major

Codex re-verified Australia to China visa-free guidance

Confirmed 30-day ordinary-passport visa-free access through 31 December 2026, updated checked-date, refreshed Smartraveller source date, corrected passport validity from stale 6-month wording to valid for the intended stay, and clarified the electronic arrival card requirement.

2026-05-30

Australia to China route verified

Confirmed via the Chinese Embassy in Australia and Smartraveller that ordinary Australian passport holders remain visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchange and transit, with the policy extended through 31 December 2026.

/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Australians need a visa to visit China for tourism?—

No. Ordinary Australian passport holders can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchange or transit, under the policy valid through 31 December 2026.

How long can I stay in China without a visa?+

What if I want to stay longer than 30 days?+

Do I need to register with the police?+

Do I need to complete an Arrival Card?+

Does visa-free entry cover work or study?+