🇰🇷South Korea

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South Korea to China visa requirements

Q: Can I work, study, or report news visa-free?

No. Work, study, journalism, settlement, and other non-covered activities require the appropriate Chinese visa or stay document.

Q: How is the 30-day stay counted?

The NIA states that the stay is calculated from 00:00 on the day following the date of entry.

Q: Can I enter multiple times?

Yes, if each entry meets the visa-free conditions. The Chinese embassy Q&A says there is currently no limit on the number of visa-free entries or total stay days, but travellers must not do activities outside the stated purpose.

Q: Do I need six months of passport validity?

For visa-free entry, the Chinese embassy Q&A says the ordinary passport must be valid for the period needed for the stay. Six-month validity is a regular visa-application rule, but extra validity and a blank page are still prudent for travel.

Q: Do I need to register where I stay?

Yes. Hotels normally register foreign guests automatically. If you stay in a private home or other non-hotel lodging, you or the host must register with local public security within 24 hours.

Q: Does this cover Hong Kong or Macao?

No. This page covers mainland China. Hong Kong and Macao maintain separate entry systems.

South Korean ordinary passport holders can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days per entry through 31 December 2026 for eligible short-visit purposes. As of 19 June 2026, South Korean ordinary passport holders may enter mainland China without a visa for business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange visits, or transit, with each stay capped at 30 days. The Embassy of China in Korea says the policy for Korea and the other listed countries is extended through 31 December 2026, and the NIA lists the Republic of Korea among countries covered by the unilateral visa exemption. The visa-free route is for ordinary passports only; work, study, journalism, settlement, and stays over 30 days still require the correct visa or stay document. Chinese official Q&A recommends carrying purpose evidence such as an invitation, air ticket, and hotel booking. Hotels register foreign guests automatically, while private stays must be registered with local public security within 24 hours.

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 →South Korea (PR)Living in South Korea as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-19

Visa type

Unilateral visa-free entry

Maximum stay

Up to 30 days per entry, counted from 00:00 on the day after entry

per entry

Entries

Multiple entries currently permitted; no published total-day cap, but each entry must match the allowed purpose and duration

from issue date

Visa fee

Free

consular fee only

Processing time

No advance visa application for eligible trips; border examination on arrival

standard track

Validity

Policy extended through 24:00 on 31 December 2026

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm ordinary-passport eligibility

Use a South Korean ordinary passport and travel for business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange visits, or transit. Diplomatic, service, temporary, or emergency documents follow different rules.

· ordinary passport· eligible purpose

/02

Check document validity

The Chinese embassy Q&A says the ordinary passport should be valid for the period needed for the stay. Keep a usable blank page and avoid travelling on a passport close to expiry.

· valid for stay· blank page

/03

Prepare purpose evidence

Carry a return or onward ticket, accommodation details, and invitation or meeting details if relevant. Border officers may ask whether the visit matches the visa-free purpose.

· ticket· hotel· invitation

/04

Enter through an open port

Visa-free entry applies at open air, sea, and land ports unless a specific port rule or bilateral arrangement says otherwise.

· open ports

/05

Hotels normally file the foreigner accommodation registration. If staying in a private home or other non-hotel lodging, you or the host must register with local public security within 24 hours.

· 24 hours· public security

/06

Use a visa or stay permit for non-covered plans

Apply before travel for work, study, journalism, settlement, or planned stays over 30 days. If a justified reason arises after visa-free entry, ask local public security about a stay permit before the 30-day period expires.

· over 30 days· work/study visa

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items

Personalized checklist

South Korea -> China · Unilateral visa-free entry

0 / 12 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RecommendedSouth Korean ordinary passport

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

Valid for the whole intended stay; blank page recommended

RequiredEligible visit purpose

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

Business, tourism, family/friends visit, exchange visit, or transit

RecommendedReturn or onward ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Recommended proof that the stay fits the 30-day limit

RequiredAccommodation details

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Hotel booking or host address for registration

RequiredInvitation or meeting details

Signed or stamped letter with host contact details and visit arrangements

Useful for business, exchange, or family/friend visits

ConditionalFunds and trip plan

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

Useful if border officers ask about the visit

RequiredAccommodation registration plan

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Hotel registration or private-stay registration with public security within 24 hours

RequiredMainland-only rule check

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

Hong Kong and Macao use separate entry rules

RequiredCorrect visa for non-covered activity

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

Required for work, study, journalism, settlement, or longer stays

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 Korea - visa exemption extension notice (2025-11-06)Embassy of China in Korea - unilateral visa-free policy Q&A (2025-11-13)China National Immigration Administration - unilateral visa exemption country list

Application link included: Embassy of China in Korea - visa exemption extension notice (2025-11-06)

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Visa-free entryFreeNo visa fee or application fee for eligible 30-day stays

Accommodation registrationFreeHotel or public security registration; fines may apply if private stays are not registered

Regular Chinese visaVariesOnly needed if the trip is not covered by the visa-free policy

Total estimateFree — Free for eligible visa-free tripsincl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free entry

No pre-application

Proceed to carrier and border checks with an ordinary passport and supporting trip evidence.

Border examination

On arrival

Chinese border inspection makes the final admission decision under Chinese law.

Stay over 30 days or non-covered purpose

Apply before travel

Obtain the correct visa in advance for work, study, journalism, settlement, or planned stays longer than 30 days.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Purpose not covered

Work, study, journalism, settlement, and other non-short-visit purposes are outside the visa-free policy.

Medium

/02

Stay exceeds 30 days

Each visa-free stay is capped at 30 days. Longer planned stays require a visa before travel.

Medium

/03

Wrong passport type

The unilateral policy is for ordinary passports, not temporary, emergency, diplomatic, or service documents.

Low

/04

Weak purpose evidence

Border officers may ask for tickets, hotel bookings, invitations, or meeting details.

Medium

/05

Accommodation registration issue

Private stays that are not registered within 24 hours can trigger penalties and complicate later stay or visa matters.

Medium

/06

Prior immigration violation

Past overstays, refusals, or removals can affect a new border decision.

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

KR-CN official-source refresh

Added checked-date, updated lastVerifiedAt, replaced generic sources with direct Chinese embassy and NIA pages, corrected passport-validity wording to the visa-free FAQ standard, and synced Chinese content.

2025-11-06 · major

Visa-free policy extended through 2026

The Chinese Embassy in Korea announced that the unilateral visa-free policy for Korea and listed countries was extended through 31 December 2026.

2024-11-30 · major

Visa-free duration expanded to 30 days

China expanded the eligible purposes and increased the unilateral visa-free stay for Korean ordinary passport holders to 30 days.

/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do South Korean citizens need a visa for mainland China?—

No for eligible short trips. South Korean ordinary passport holders can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days per entry for business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange visits, or transit through 31 December 2026.

Can I work, study, or report news visa-free?+

How is the 30-day stay counted?+

Can I enter multiple times?+

Do I need six months of passport validity?+

Do I need to register where I stay?+

Does this cover Hong Kong or Macao?+