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2026 visa changes — what's new2026 visa policy changes: what's different this year→
🇫🇷France
🇨🇳ChinaFR-CN

France to China visa requirements

Visa-free up to 30 days under China's unilateral policy. Extended through 31 December 2026. French ordinary passport holders enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, visits to relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit. The Embassy of China in France says the France-inclusive unilateral policy is extended through 24:00 on 31 December 2026, and the NIA list also includes France. No application, fee, visa-on-arrival, or advance declaration to a Chinese embassy or consulate is required. Travelers must hold a valid ordinary passport whose validity covers the intended stay; temporary, emergency, and other non-ordinary travel documents are not eligible for this unilateral visa-free policy. Border officers may ask for supporting documents such as invitation letters, tickets, or accommodation bookings. Work, formal study, journalism, and stays beyond 30 days require the appropriate visa or stay permit.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE 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 →France (PR)Living in France as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-19
Visa type
Unilateral visa-free entry (China policy)
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days per entry
per entry
Entries
Multiple entries allowed; no current official cap on entry count or total visa-free days
from issue date
Visa fee
Free
consular fee only
Processing time
None — standard border inspection on arrival
standard track
Validity
Policy extended through 31 December 2026; passport must be ordinary and valid for the intended stay
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check passport type and validity
Use an ordinary French passport valid for the full intended stay in China. Temporary, emergency, and other non-ordinary travel documents are not eligible for this unilateral visa-free policy; keep spare passport space for entry and exit stamps.
· ordinary passport
/02
Confirm trip purpose
Visa-free covers tourism, business meetings, family visits, exchange visits, and transit. Not paid work, study, journalism, or stays beyond 30 days.
· tourism/business/family
/03
Prepare purpose-matching documents
Carry documents that match the visit purpose, such as an invitation letter, return or onward ticket, and accommodation booking. Chinese border officers may ask to see them.
· ticket· accommodation
/04
Register accommodation in China
Foreign visitors must register their address with the local police within 24 hours of arrival. Hotels do this automatically; private stays require a visit to the local 派出所 (police station).
· 24-hour registration
/05
Track the 30-day cap
The 30-day visa-free stay is counted from 00:00 on the day after entry and lasts 30 calendar days. Multiple entries are allowed, but each stay must match the permitted purposes.
· 30 calendar days
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
France -> China · Unilateral visa-free entry (China policy)
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredFrench ordinary passport
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Valid for the intended stay; temporary/emergency documents are not eligible
RecommendedReturn or onward ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Recommended supporting evidence
RecommendedAccommodation address
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Recommended supporting evidence; hotel booking or host address
RequiredArrival/departure card
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Filled on arrival; digital version on most flights
RequiredFunds evidence
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
Cash or cards for the trip
RequiredMobile payment setup
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Alipay or WeChat Pay with an eligible foreign card
RecommendedInsurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Recommended; SOS evacuation cover advisable
ConditionalVaccination record (if applicable)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Only for arrivals from yellow fever risk countries
RequiredAddress registration (派出所)
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Within 24 hours for non-hotel stays
RequiredCustoms declaration
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Online or paper for restricted goods
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 China in France — Notice extending unilateral visa-free policyEmbassy of China in France — FAQs on unilateral visa-free entryChina National Immigration Administration — Unilateral visa exemption list
Application link included: Embassy of China in France — Notice extending unilateral visa-free policy
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa-free entryFreeUp to 30 days; extended through 31 December 2026
Regular visa (if needed)VariesRequired for stays beyond 30 days or non-covered purposes; check CVASC France fees
240-hour transit visa-freeFreeSeparate transit option for eligible third-country itineraries through designated ports
Work/study visaVariesZ visa for work, X visa for study
Overstay penaltyCNY 500-10,000Plus possible bans for serious overstays
Total estimateFree — Freeincl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free arrival
Minutes
Standard immigration at PEK, PVG, CAN, SZX, HGH, and other major airports.
Regular visa (if needed)
Varies by center and service
Apply before travel through the relevant Chinese visa application center or consular office when the trip is not covered by the visa-free policy.
240-hour transit
On arrival
Separate visa-free transit up to 240 hours (10 days) through designated ports for eligible travelers with confirmed onward third-country tickets.
Address registration
Same day
Hotels register automatically; private stays require a same-day police station visit.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Wrong purpose of visit
Visa-free covers tourism, business meetings, family visits, exchanges, and transit only. Paid work, formal study, journalism, or NGO work requires a specific visa.
Medium
/02
Wrong document type or insufficient validity
The unilateral waiver requires a valid ordinary passport. Temporary, emergency, travel, diplomatic, or service documents follow separate rules and may require a visa.
Medium
/03
Past Chinese immigration violations
Prior overstays, criminal convictions in China, or removal orders can affect future entries even under visa-free policy.
Low
/04
Sensitive items at customs
Religious materials, certain printed material, drones, and journalist equipment can be confiscated or trigger detention.
Low
/05
Non-covered activities
Performances, employment, formal study, news reporting, and long stays are outside the unilateral short-stay waiver and require the matching visa or permit.
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
France to China route re-verified
Checked current Chinese embassy and NIA sources: ordinary French passport holders remain eligible for 30-day visa-free entry through 31 December 2026; passport validity wording corrected to match official FAQ guidance.
2026-05-27
France to China route verified
Confirmed unilateral 30-day visa-free entry, policy extended through 31 December 2026.
2025-11-04 · major
Visa-free policy extended through end of 2026
China extended the France-inclusive unilateral visa-free entry policy through 31 December 2026.
2024-11-30
Stay extended to 30 days
China expanded the unilateral visa-free stay from 15 to 30 days for eligible nationalities including France.
2023-12-01
France added to visa-free pilot
France was among the first countries covered by China's unilateral 15-day visa-free pilot.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do French citizens need a visa for China in 2026?—
No — French ordinary passport holders enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days under China's unilateral policy. Extended through 31 December 2026.
How long can I stay?+
Do I need to register anywhere?+
Can I work on visa-free entry?+
Does visa-free cover Hong Kong or Macau?+
What passport validity is required?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the France passport

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France passport power
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