🇳🇿New Zealand

🇨🇳ChinaNZ-CN

New Zealand to China visa requirements

Q: How long can I stay visa-free?

Up to 30 days per entry. You must leave on or before day 30 to avoid overstay penalties.

Q: Can I work or study on the visa-free entry?

No. Work, study and journalism are excluded and require the appropriate Z, X or J visa obtained before you travel.

Q: Do I need a return ticket?

It is recommended. Chinese official FAQs say border officers may examine whether your purpose qualifies and recommend carrying documents such as air tickets, invitation letters and accommodation reservations.

Q: Does the visa-free policy cover Hong Kong and Macau?

No. The policy applies to mainland China only. Hong Kong and Macau have their own separate entry rules for NZ passport holders.

Q: Can dual Chinese-New Zealand citizens get NZ consular help in China?

SafeTravel warns that China does not recognise dual nationality. Dual citizens travelling on a Chinese passport or identity card may not be granted access to New Zealand consular assistance.

New Zealand ordinary passport holders can visit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, under China's unilateral visa-free policy extended through 31 December 2026. As of 20 June 2026, New Zealand ordinary passport holders do NOT need a visa for qualifying short visits to mainland China. Under China's unilateral visa-free policy, extended by official notice to 31 December 2026, NZ travellers may enter visa-free for up to 30 days per visit for business, tourism, visiting family or friends, exchange and transit. No advance declaration to a Chinese embassy or consulate is required. Border inspection authorities may still examine whether the purpose of stay qualifies, so travellers should carry supporting documents such as invitation letters, air tickets and accommodation reservations. The ordinary passport must be valid for at least the intended stay in China; temporary, emergency and other non-ordinary travel documents are not covered. The waiver does NOT cover work, study, news coverage or similar purposes, which require the correct visa before travel. The 30-day period is counted from the day after entry and lasts 30 calendar days; apply for a stay permit before expiry if a legitimate reason requires a longer stay. The policy applies to mainland China; Hong Kong and Macau have separate entry rules. SafeTravel also warns that China does not recognise dual nationality, which can affect access to New Zealand consular assistance.

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

Visa-free (unilateral policy)

Maximum stay

Up to 30 days per entry

per entry

Entries

Multiple entries permitted

from issue date

Visa fee

NZD 0 / RMB 0

consular fee only

Processing time

None — entry on arrival

standard track

Validity

Policy in force through 31 December 2026

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm your purpose qualifies

Visa-free entry covers business, tourism, visiting family or friends, exchange and transit. Work, study and news coverage are excluded and require a visa.

· Tourism OK· No work/study

/02

Check your travel document

Use a New Zealand ordinary passport valid for at least the intended stay in China. Temporary, emergency and other non-ordinary travel documents are not covered by the waiver.

· Ordinary passport

/03

Prepare purpose evidence

Carry documents that match your purpose, such as invitation letters, air tickets and accommodation reservations. Border inspection may ask to verify your purpose of stay.

· Supporting documents

/04

Enter through an open port

The policy applies at sea, road and air ports open to foreign nationals, unless a specific law, regulation or bilateral arrangement says otherwise.

· Air/land/sea

/05

Present your passport at the border

No visa sticker or embassy pre-declaration is needed. Border officers make the final admission decision and may stamp or record the 30-day stay.

· No visa needed

/06

Track the 30-day count

The visa-free stay is counted from the day after entry and lasts 30 calendar days. If a legitimate reason requires a longer stay, apply for a stay permit before the period expires.

· 30 calendar days

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

11 items

Personalized checklist

New Zealand -> China · Visa-free (unilateral policy)

0 / 11 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredNew Zealand ordinary passport valid for at least the intended stay

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

required

RequiredTravel purpose is tourism / short visit (not work or study)

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

required

RecommendedConfirmed return or onward ticket departing within 30 days

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

RecommendedProof of accommodation or host details in China

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

recommended

RecommendedInvitation letter or business/event documents if relevant

Signed or stamped letter with host contact details and visit arrangements

recommended

RecommendedEvidence of sufficient funds for the stay

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

recommended

RecommendedTravel/medical insurance for the trip

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

recommended

OptionalMobile payment set up (Alipay/WeChat Pay) for convenience

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

optional

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 sourcesChinese Embassy in New Zealand — Notice on Extending Unilateral Visa-Free Policy (2025-11-04)Chinese Embassy in New Zealand — FAQs on Visa-free Entry into China (2026-05-22)Chinese Consulate-General in Auckland — Visa-free Policy FAQ for New Zealand and other countries (2024-06-26)

Application link included: Chinese Embassy in New Zealand — Notice on Extending Unilateral Visa-Free Policy (2025-11-04)

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

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

Application / service feeNZD 0No application or processing fee

Arrival feeRMB 0No fee charged on arrival

Total estimateNZD 0 — NZD 0incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa-free entry on arrival

Immediate at the border

No prior application or embassy declaration. Present your ordinary passport and purpose evidence at the port of entry for examination.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Tourism and sightseeing

Short leisure trips of up to 30 days are fully covered by the visa-free policy.

High

/02

Visiting family and friends

Social visits to relatives or friends in China qualify for visa-free entry.

High

/03

Short-term business

Meetings, negotiations and exhibitions are permitted, but not paid employment.

Medium

/04

Transit

Passing through China en route to a third destination is covered by the policy.

Medium

/05

Cultural exchange

Short cultural, academic or sporting exchange visits are eligible.

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 · major

Reviewed by Codex

Codex rechecked New Zealand to mainland China against Chinese Embassy, Chinese Consulate-General in Auckland and New Zealand SafeTravel sources; added checked-date, replaced non-official evidence, corrected passport validity and supporting-document wording, removed unsupported fixed overstay-fine language, and synced English/Chinese guidance.

2026-05-30

New Zealand to China route verified

Confirmed via the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand that NZ ordinary passport holders enter visa-free for up to 30 days; the unilateral visa-free policy has been extended through 31 December 2026.

/09 — The questions