China Visa-free Travel Guide
China Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free Entry Policy Explanation
Hainan’s 30-day visa-free entry policy allows eligible ordinary passport holders from 61 countries to visit Hainan without applying for a Chinese visa in advance. The policy is designed for short stays within Hainan Province and does not itself authorize travel onward to other parts of mainland China.
Updated 24 August 2026 · 61 eligible countries · Up to 30 daysWhat is Hainan’s 30-day visa-free entry policy?
Eligible travelers holding ordinary passports from 61 countries may enter Hainan Province through its open ports and stay visa-free for no more than 30 days, provided their trip remains within Hainan and meets the policy conditions.
The policy is different from China’s national unilateral visa-free arrangements and from the 240-hour visa-free transit policy. It is a regional entry policy specifically connected to Hainan Province.
On 20 August 2026, China added Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam to the Hainan policy, increasing the number of eligible countries from 59 to 61.
Check these four conditions before booking
Seeing your country on the eligibility list is not enough by itself. Your passport type, entry point, travel area and purpose should all fit the policy.
Which countries are eligible?
Hainan’s 30-day visa-free policy currently covers ordinary passport holders from 61 countries. Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam joined the eligible list on 20 August 2026.
Europe — 40 countries
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
Americas — 6 countries
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- Mexico
- United States
Oceania — 2 countries
- Australia
- New Zealand
Asia — 13 countries
- Brunei
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Malaysia
- Philippines
- Qatar
- Republic of Korea
- Singapore
- Thailand
- United Arab Emirates
- Vietnam
How can eligible travelers enter Hainan?
The National Immigration Administration states that eligible foreign nationals may enter through any open port in Hainan Province.
This makes the policy different from some other regional and transit policies that are tied to a smaller list of designated airports or border crossings. You should still confirm that your exact international route operates through an open exit-entry port capable of processing your arrival.
| What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Your arrival port | Your international entry should be through an open exit-entry port in Hainan Province. |
| Your passport type | The Hainan policy covers ordinary passports from eligible countries. |
| Your full itinerary | Your planned travel under this policy should remain inside Hainan. |
| Your departure | Plan to leave within the permitted stay and keep your departure arrangements consistent with the entry policy you are using. |
Where can you travel during the visa-free stay?
Travelers using the Hainan 30-day visa-free entry policy must remain within the administrative region of Hainan Province.
Within Hainan, travelers can build an itinerary around destinations such as Haikou, Sanya and other parts of the province, subject to ordinary local access requirements and the conditions of the visa-free stay.
| Example trip | Under the Hainan policy | Why |
|---|---|---|
| International arrival → Sanya → Haikou → international departure | Potentially suitable | The itinerary remains within Hainan Province, assuming the other policy requirements are satisfied. |
| International arrival → Haikou → Sanya → Hainan departure | Potentially suitable | Travel remains within the administrative region covered by the policy. |
| International arrival → Sanya → Shanghai | Not authorized by the Hainan policy itself | Shanghai is outside Hainan Province. |
| International arrival → Haikou → Chengdu | Not authorized by the Hainan policy itself | Chengdu is outside the permitted Hainan administrative area. |
| International arrival → Sanya → Beijing → international departure | Do not rely on the Hainan policy for this itinerary | The Hainan visa-free permission does not itself authorize travel onward to Beijing. |
What can you do in Hainan under the policy?
The NIA has expanded the permitted purposes beyond tourism. Eligible travelers may use the policy for a variety of short-term activities, provided those activities do not require prior immigration approval.
| Activity | General treatment under the Hainan policy |
|---|---|
| Tourism | Permitted for eligible short-term travelers. |
| Business and trade | Short-term commercial and business activities may be permitted. |
| Visits and exchanges | Included among the permitted short-term purposes. |
| Family visits and reunions | Included among permitted short-term purposes. |
| Medical treatment | Included in the NIA's expanded range of permitted purposes. |
| Conferences and exhibitions | May be undertaken as qualifying short-term activities. |
| Sporting events | Included among the expanded purposes of the Hainan policy. |
| Work | Activities requiring prior approval require the appropriate visa before entering China. |
| Study | Activities requiring prior approval require the appropriate visa. |
| News reporting | The 2026 NIA announcement states that activities requiring prior approval, including news reporting, require an appropriate visa. |
How is the 30-day stay calculated?
The National Immigration Administration states that each Hainan visa-free entry period is calculated from 00:00 on the day following the day of entry.
Documents to prepare before entering Hainan
The policy removes the need to obtain a visa in advance for eligible travelers, but you should still carry enough information to demonstrate that your trip fits the Hainan entry conditions.
| Document or information | Why it is useful |
|---|---|
| Eligible ordinary passport | The policy specifically applies to ordinary passport holders from eligible countries. |
| Arrival and departure itinerary | Helps show how you intend to enter Hainan and leave within the permitted period. |
| Hotel reservations | Provides evidence of where you intend to stay during your Hainan trip. |
| Hainan travel itinerary | Helps demonstrate that your trip remains within Hainan Province. |
| Business or event information, if applicable | Useful when your purpose involves meetings, exhibitions, sporting events, medical treatment or another permitted short-term activity. |
| Host address and contact information, if applicable | Useful for family visits, private accommodation and accommodation registration. |
Accommodation registration is still required
Entering Hainan without a visa does not remove China’s accommodation-registration requirements for foreign travelers.
| Where you stay | What generally happens |
|---|---|
| Hotel | Hotels normally register foreign guests' accommodation information as part of the check-in process. |
| Friend or family home | The traveler or host should make sure the applicable local accommodation-registration requirement is completed. |
| Private apartment or other non-hotel accommodation | Confirm the local registration procedure with the host or accommodation provider and complete it as required. |
Example Hainan visa-free travel scenarios
These examples show why nationality is only one part of the decision. Your passport type, location and travel purpose also matter.
| Traveler scenario | Likely result | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A Canadian ordinary passport holder flies internationally into Sanya, spends 12 days in Hainan and departs internationally. | Potentially qualifies | Canada is an eligible country and the itinerary remains within Hainan. Other entry conditions must still be satisfied. |
| A Vietnamese ordinary passport holder visits Hainan for a 10-day holiday after 20 August 2026. | Potentially qualifies | Vietnam was added to the Hainan visa-free list effective 20 August 2026. |
| An eligible traveler enters Sanya and books a flight to Shanghai after five days. | Hainan policy alone is not sufficient | Shanghai is outside Hainan Province's administrative area. |
| An eligible ordinary passport holder travels around Haikou, Sanya and other destinations within Hainan for 20 days. | Potentially qualifies | The trip remains inside Hainan and within the maximum stay. |
| A traveler from a country not included in the current 61-country list. | Does not qualify under this policy | The Hainan 30-day policy is limited to eligible ordinary passport countries. |
| An eligible traveler intends to take up employment in Hainan. | Appropriate visa required | Work requiring prior approval is not authorized by the Hainan 30-day visa-free policy. |
Do not confuse this policy with Hainan group arrangements
Hainan’s 30-day visa-free entry policy for eligible ordinary passport holders is separate from several group-based regional visa-free arrangements available in China.
| Policy | Main distinction |
|---|---|
| Hainan 30-day visa-free entry | Applies to eligible ordinary passport holders from the specified country list and allows a stay of up to 30 days within Hainan Province. |
| Foreign tourist groups traveling by cruise ship | A separate group arrangement with requirements involving a qualifying tourist group, registered Chinese travel agency, cruise ports, itinerary and departure by cruise ship. |
| Hong Kong/Macao tourist groups entering Hainan | A separate arrangement for qualifying tourist groups organized by travel agencies registered in Hong Kong or Macao, with its own entry, exit and stay rules. |
When is Hainan’s 30-day policy not the right option?
The Hainan policy works well for eligible travelers whose China itinerary stays entirely within the province. A different entry arrangement may be necessary when your trip is broader.
| Your situation | What to consider instead |
|---|---|
| You want to visit Hainan and another mainland Chinese destination | Check whether you qualify for a broader unilateral or mutual visa exemption, transit policy or appropriate Chinese visa. |
| Your ordinary passport is not from one of the 61 eligible countries | Check another applicable visa-free arrangement or obtain the appropriate visa before travel. |
| You intend to work or study | Obtain the visa and other approvals required for the planned activity. |
| You intend to undertake news reporting | Use the appropriate visa and obtain any required prior approval. |
| You need more than 30 days | The regional 30-day policy is not sufficient for the planned duration. |
| You are genuinely transiting through China to a third country or region | The 240-hour visa-free transit policy may be more relevant if your nationality, route, port and travel area qualify. |
Start with our China visa-free policy decision guide if you are unsure which policy matches your passport and complete itinerary.
Official sources
Visa-free policies may change, including eligible nationalities, permitted purposes and immigration procedures. Check current official information before finalizing flights and accommodation.
| Official NIA source | What it covers |
|---|---|
| NIA announcement: Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam added | Confirms that Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam became eligible on 20 August 2026, increasing the Hainan list from 59 to 61 countries. It also confirms the ordinary-passport and Hainan-area conditions for the two newly added countries. |
| NIA: Regional Visa-Free Entry Policies for Foreign Nationals | Provides the Hainan regional policy framework, including ordinary passports, maximum stay, permitted area, purposes and use of open ports in Hainan. |
| NIA: Expansion of Allowed Purposes of Visa-Free Entry into Hainan | Explains the expanded short-term purposes, use of open Hainan ports, requirement to remain in Hainan and calculation of each entry period from 00:00 on the day following entry. |
China Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free Entry FAQ
How many countries can use Hainan’s 30-day visa-free policy?
As of 20 August 2026, ordinary passport holders from 61 countries may qualify. Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam were added to the previous 59-country list.
Which passport type do I need?
The Hainan 30-day visa-free policy applies to eligible travelers holding ordinary passports from the countries covered by the policy.
Do I need to join a tour group?
The current Hainan 30-day policy does not require eligible travelers to join an organized tourist group. Do not confuse it with separate Hainan or China group-travel visa-free arrangements.
Can I enter through any airport or port in Hainan?
The National Immigration Administration states that eligible travelers may enter through any open port in Hainan Province. Confirm the international immigration facilities and procedures for your exact route before departure.
Can I visit both Sanya and Haikou?
Yes, the Hainan policy covers the administrative region of Hainan Province, so an itinerary visiting destinations within Hainan can fit the geographical requirement, subject to the other conditions.
Can I fly from Hainan to Shanghai during my visa-free stay?
The Hainan 30-day policy itself does not authorize travel outside Hainan Province. Shanghai is outside the permitted regional area. If you have another valid basis for entry into mainland China, separate rules may apply.
Can I travel from Hainan to Beijing?
Not under the Hainan visa-free permission itself. The policy requires travelers to remain within Hainan Province during the visa-free stay.
When does my 30-day stay begin?
The NIA states that each entry period is calculated from 00:00 on the day following the day of entry.
Can I visit Hainan for business?
Yes. The NIA includes short-term business and trade among the permitted purposes, subject to the policy conditions and any separate approvals required for a specific activity.
Can I receive medical treatment in Hainan?
Medical treatment is included among the short-term purposes identified by the NIA for Hainan visa-free entry. Travelers should still confirm that their specific circumstances and planned activities meet the policy.
Can I work in Hainan for 30 days without a visa?
No. Activities requiring prior approval, including work, require the appropriate visa and authorization before travel.
Can I study in Hainan under the 30-day visa-free policy?
Activities requiring prior approval, including study, require the appropriate visa before entering China.
Do I need accommodation registration?
Yes. Hotels normally handle foreign-guest registration during check-in. If you stay in a private home or other non-hotel accommodation, make sure the applicable local accommodation-registration procedure is completed.
What if I want to combine Hainan with another Chinese city?
Check whether your passport qualifies for a broader Chinese visa-free policy or obtain the appropriate visa. The Hainan regional policy alone is not designed for an itinerary continuing into other parts of mainland China.
Is Hainan’s 30-day rule the same as the 240-hour transit policy?
No. The Hainan policy is a regional visa-free entry arrangement for eligible ordinary passport holders staying within Hainan. The 240-hour policy is a transit arrangement requiring onward travel to a third country or region, along with eligible nationality, port and permitted-area conditions.
Where should I check the latest Hainan visa-free rules?
Check the National Immigration Administration for current eligibility, permitted purposes, entry-port rules and stay requirements before travel.
Planning a visa-free Hainan trip?
Once your entry route is confirmed, PandaVoyage can help you design a Hainan itinerary around Sanya, Haikou, beaches, nature, cultural experiences, hotels, private transportation, guides and your available travel dates.
Plan your Hainan trip