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

Netherlands to China visa requirements

Visa-free for up to 30 days for Dutch ordinary passport holders until 24:00 on 31 Dec 2026. Dutch citizens holding valid ordinary passports may enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange visits, or transit. The Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands says the unilateral visa exemption for the Netherlands is extended until 24:00 on 31 December 2026, and China's National Immigration Administration lists the Netherlands among covered countries. The 30-day stay is counted from 00:00 on the day after entry. Border officers may still examine purpose and admissibility, so carry documents matching the visit, such as invitation letters, air tickets, and accommodation reservations. Work, study, news coverage, residence, or stays beyond 30 days require the appropriate visa or, after entry for sufficient reasons, a stay permit from Chinese exit-entry authorities. If a visa is needed, the current The Hague CVASC schedule lists Dutch/Schengen regular application totals from EUR 111.55, with final payment subject to the visa centre.
VISA-FREETOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-20
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 2026-06-20
Visa type
Unilateral visa-free entry for ordinary passports
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days per entry, counted from 00:00 on the day after entry
per entry
Entries
Multiple visa-free entries currently allowed with no stated cap
from issue date
Visa fee
Free for visa-free entry
consular fee only
Processing time
No advance embassy declaration or visa application
standard track
Validity
Extended until 24:00 on 31 Dec 2026
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check passport eligibility
Use a Dutch ordinary passport valid for at least the whole intended stay in China. Extra validity and blank pages are prudent for airline checks or a backup visa application.
· ordinary passport
/02
Match the trip purpose
Visa-free entry covers business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange visits, and transit. Work, study, news coverage, residence, or similar purposes require a visa.
· eligible purpose
/03
Prepare supporting documents
Carry documents that fit the purpose, such as invitation letters, air tickets, and accommodation reservations. They are recommended by the embassy FAQ and may be checked at the border.
· tickets + accommodation
/04
Enter through an open port
Visa-free travel applies through sea, road, and air ports open to foreign nationals unless another law or arrangement says otherwise.
· open port
/05
Count the stay correctly
The 30 days start from 00:00 on the day after entry. Leave within the permitted period or apply for a stay permit if sufficient reasons require a longer stay after arrival.
· 30 calendar days
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

9 items
Personalized checklist
Netherlands -> China · Unilateral visa-free entry for ordinary passports
0 / 9 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RecommendedDutch ordinary passport
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
Valid for at least the intended stay; extra validity recommended
RecommendedReturn or onward ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Recommended proof for the 30-day stay
RecommendedAccommodation or host details
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Recommended proof matching the visit purpose
ConditionalPurpose evidence
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
Invitation, itinerary, conference or business documents if relevant
RecommendedTravel insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Strongly recommended for medical and disruption risks
RequiredRestricted-area planning
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
Tibet and some border areas may need separate permits
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 the Netherlands - unilateral visa exemption extension, 2025-11-04
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa-free entryFreeNo visa application or embassy declaration is required before travel
Regular visa via CVASC The HagueFrom EUR 111.55Current regular-application total for Dutch/Schengen citizens; final payment is set by the visa centre
Express visa via CVASC The HagueFrom EUR 156.75Only relevant if a visa is needed for a non-eligible purpose or a stay over 30 days
Rush visa via CVASC The HagueFrom EUR 178.85Only relevant if a visa is needed; availability depends on the centre
Total estimateFreeFreeincl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Regular tourist or visit visa
Apply before travel
Use this route for stays over 30 days or non-eligible purposes.
Post-entry stay permit
After entry if justified
For sufficient reasons after visa-free entry, apply to Chinese exit-entry authorities before the 30-day period ends.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Purpose not eligible
Work, study, news coverage, residence, and similar purposes are outside the visa-free policy.
Low
/02
Stay exceeds 30 days
The visa-free stay is limited to 30 calendar days counted from the day after entry.
Low
/03
Insufficient purpose proof
Border inspection may ask for documents such as invitations, air tickets, or accommodation reservations.
Low
/04
Wrong document type
The waiver is for valid ordinary passports, not temporary, emergency, or other travel documents.
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
2026-06-20
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-20
Codex fact-check
Checked current Embassy, NIA, and CVASC sources; added checked-date, corrected passport-validity wording, refreshed fee data, and replaced generic sources with exact official pages.
2025-11-04 · major
Visa-free policy extended
Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands announced the unilateral visa exemption for Dutch ordinary passport holders is extended until 24:00 on 31 December 2026.
2023-12-01 · major
Netherlands added to visa-free list
The Netherlands was included in China's unilateral visa-free policy for eligible short visits.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Dutch citizens need a visa for China?
No for eligible short visits. Dutch ordinary passport holders may enter visa-free for up to 30 days for business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange visits, or transit until 24:00 on 31 December 2026.
How are the 30 days counted?+
Do I need six months of passport validity?+
Can I enter China multiple times visa-free?+
Can I work or study on the visa-free entry?+
What if I need to stay longer than 30 days?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Netherlands passport

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