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2026 visa changes — what's new2026 visa policy changes: what's different this year
🇨🇱Chile
🇨🇳ChinaCL-CN

Chile to China visa requirements

Chilean ordinary passport holders can visit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days through 31 Dec 2026. Chilean ordinary passport holders may enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days for business, tourism, visits to relatives or friends, exchange visits, or transit. China first added Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Uruguay to the unilateral visa-free policy from 1 June 2025, and the Chinese Embassy in Chile later announced the policy is extended for Chile and other listed countries through 24:00 Beijing time on 31 December 2026. No visa application, consular declaration, or visa fee is required when the trip fits the policy, but Chinese border inspection may examine the stated purpose and supporting documents such as invitation letters, tickets, and accommodation reservations. Work, formal study, news reporting, non-ordinary travel documents, and stays over 30 days still require the appropriate visa or stay permit. If a regular visa is needed, the Embassy's fee table lists CLP 0 for Chilean-citizen L, M, F, Q2, and S2 visas and CLP 23,000 for other visa types during the temporary fee-adjustment period.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-21
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.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-21
Visa type
Unilateral visa-free entry (ordinary passport)
Maximum stay
Up to 30 calendar days per entry
per entry
Entries
Multiple during the waiver period; no current numeric cap
from issue date
Visa fee
Free
consular fee only
Processing time
On arrival after border inspection
standard track
Validity
Policy extended through 31 Dec 2026
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm ordinary passport eligibility
Visa-free entry applies to Chilean ordinary passports. The passport must be valid for the intended stay in China; temporary, emergency, travel, or other non-ordinary documents are not covered.
· ordinary passport
/02
Confirm the trip purpose
Covered purposes are business, tourism, visiting relatives or friends, exchange visits, and transit. Work, formal study, journalism, and stays over 30 days require a visa or stay permit.
· tourism/business/visits
/03
Prepare proof for border inspection
Carry documents matching the stated purpose, such as return or onward tickets, accommodation reservations or host details, invitation letters, conference details, or an itinerary.
· tickets· accommodation
/04
Complete the arrival card
Foreign visitors can submit China's arrival card online before travel through NIA channels. If unable, complete it at the port by QR code, smart terminal, or paper card.
· arrival card
/05
Register accommodation after arrival
Hotels register guests automatically. For private or other non-hotel stays, the visitor or host must register with local public security within 24 hours.
· 24-hour registration
/06
Track the 30-day count
The NIA country-list guidance calculates the stay from 00:00 on the day after entry. Repeated visa-free visits remain allowed only when each visit fits an eligible purpose.
· 30 calendar days
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
Chile -> China · Unilateral visa-free entry (ordinary passport)
0 / 10 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredChilean ordinary passport
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Valid for the intended stay; longer validity and blank pages are still prudent for travel
RecommendedReturn or onward ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Recommended evidence within the 30-day visa-free stay
RequiredAccommodation proof or host details
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Hotel booking, address, or invitation/contact information
ConditionalPurpose evidence
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Invitation letter, meeting or event details, or itinerary if applicable
RequiredArrival card
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Submit online before travel when possible, or complete at the port
ConditionalYellow fever vaccination certificate
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Only if arriving from or transiting through a yellow-fever-risk country or area when the health rule applies
RecommendedTravel insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Recommended for medical care and evacuation coverage
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.
Application link included: Chinese Embassy in Chile - unilateral visa-free extension notice (2025-11-04)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa-free entryFreeNo application fee for eligible stays up to 30 days
Regular L/M/F/Q2/S2 visa for Chilean citizensCLP 0Needed only for longer stays or non-waiver situations that still fit these visa categories during the temporary fee-adjustment period
Other regular China visa types for Chilean citizensCLP 23,000Embassy fee table for Chilean citizens during the temporary fee-adjustment period through 31 Dec 2026
240-hour visa-free transitFreeSeparate transit option only when continuing to a third country or region through eligible ports
Overstay penaltyCNY 500/day, capped at CNY 10,000Serious illegal residence may also lead to detention, removal, or future entry issues
Total estimateFreeFreeincl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Arrival card
Before travel or at port
Online pre-filing is available; port QR code, smart-terminal, and paper options remain available when needed.
Regular visa, if needed
Online review plus embassy passport submission
Use China's online visa system. The Embassy says online review normally takes 1-2 business days before passport submission, payment, and collection instructions.
Accommodation registration
Within 24 hours
Hotels handle registration automatically; private stays require the visitor or host to register with public security.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Wrong purpose of stay
Visa-free entry does not cover paid work, formal study, journalism, or purposes outside the published waiver categories.
Medium
/02
Missing purpose evidence
Border inspection may ask for invitation letters, tickets, hotel bookings, or other documents matching the stated purpose.
Medium
/03
Wrong passport or insufficient validity
The waiver is for ordinary passports valid for the intended stay. Temporary, emergency, or travel documents are not eligible.
Low
/04
Stay exceeds 30 days
The unilateral waiver allows no more than 30 calendar days per entry. Longer stays require the correct visa or stay permit.
Low
/05
Accommodation registration missed
Hotels register guests automatically, but private stays must be registered within 24 hours to avoid penalties.
Low
/06
Yellow fever certificate missing when applicable
Chile is not a yellow-fever-risk country, but travellers arriving from or transiting through risk areas should carry proof when required.
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
2026-06-21
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-21 · major
Codex checked official sources
Checked official Chinese Embassy in Chile, China MFA, NIA, visa-process, visa-fee, arrival-card, and exit-entry law sources; added checked-date, updated lastVerifiedAt, corrected the visa-free policy end date to 31 Dec 2026, and synced bilingual content.
2025-11-04 · major
Visa-free policy extended through end of 2026
Chinese Embassy in Chile announced Chile remains in China's unilateral visa-free policy through 24:00 Beijing time on 31 December 2026.
2025-06-01 · major
Chile added to unilateral visa-free policy
Chilean ordinary passport holders became eligible for 30-day visa-free entry for business, tourism, visits to relatives or friends, exchanges, and transit.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Chileans need a visa for mainland China?
No for eligible short visits. Chilean ordinary passport holders may enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days for business, tourism, visits to relatives or friends, exchange visits, or transit through 31 December 2026.
How long can I stay?+
Does my passport need six months of validity?+
Can I work or study on the visa-free entry?+
Do I need to fill out an arrival card?+
Do I need to register after arrival?+
What if I need a tourist visa instead?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Chile passport

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