Currently, ordinary passport holders from 74 countries can enter Hainan without a visa. The primary policies that apply to Hainan include the Hainan-exclusive visa-free entry policy (59 countries) and the China-wide unilateral visa exemption (13 countries) & mutual visa exemption (24 countries) policies. The relevant policies are as follows：
1. Hainan-exclusive Visa-free Entry Policy /nWith the approval of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, the policy allows passport holders from 59 designated countries to enter Hainan Province without a visa for tourism, commercial activities, trade, visits and exchanges, family reunions, receiving medical treatment, attending exhibitions, taking part in sporting events, and other needs (excluding employment and study) for up to 30 days. Foreign nationals who wish to enter Hainan for such purposes can enter through any open port in the province and remain in the province's administrative area during their stay periods (passport holders of countries that have signed mutual visa exemption policy agreements with China are subject to the relevant provisions of such agreements). Each stay period is calculated from 00:00 on the day following the day of entry.
List of designated countries: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine.
Reminders: (1) To enjoy the Hainan-exclusive visa-free entry policy, you must enter Hainan through and undergo entry procedures at its open ports, namely Haikou Meilan International Airport, Sanya Phoenix International Airport, Qionghai Boao International Airport, Yangpu Port, Haikou Port, Qinglan Port, Basuo Port, and Sanya Port. Visitors are not eligible to enjoy visa-free entry if they do not complete entry procedures at one of these open ports.
(2) If you have a valid reason to extend your stay in Hainan or visit other parts of the Chinese mainland during your stay, you must apply for a visa from the Exit and Entry Administration of Hainan’s public security organs at least 7 days before the expiration of your visa-free stay period.
2. China-wide Visa-free Entry Policies
(1) Comprehensive Mutual Visa Exemption Policy (24 countries). Applicable countries: Thailand, Singapore, the Maldives, Kazakhstan, Antigua and Barbuda, Albania, the United Arab Emirates, Barbados, the Bahamas, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Qatar, Mauritius, Serbia, Seychelles, San Marino, Suriname, Tonga, Armenia, and Georgia. 9 of these countries are included on the list of designated countries under the Hainan-exclusive visa-free policy: Thailand, Singapore, Kazakhstan, Albania, the UAE, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, and Serbia. Passport holders of Albania, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, are allowed to stay for up to 90 days, while passport holders of the other 7 countries have the same 30-day stay period as passport holders of designated countries under the Hainan-exclusive visa-free policy.
In addition, there are 15 countries that are not included on list of designated countries under the Hainan-exclusive visa-free policy: the Maldives, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the Bahamas, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Seychelles, Suriname, Tonga, and Georgia (maximum stay of 30 days); Mauritius (maximum stay of 60 days); and San Marino and Armenia (maximum stay of 90 days).
(2) Unilateral Visa Exemption Policy (13 countries) /nApplicable countries: Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg. All of these countries are included in the country list of the Hainan-exclusive visa-free policy. Until December 31, 2025 (excluding Brunei), ordinary passport holders of these countries can enter China without a visa for up to 15 days for business, tourism, family reunions, and transit for a maximum of 15 days.
Reminders:
1. The trial implementation of the unilateral visa exemption policy will expire on December 31, 2025 (excluding Brunei).
2. The China-wide unilateral visa exemption policy and the Hainan-exclusive visa-free entry policy each have their own unique characteristics. In terms of stay, the former has a wider geographical scope, while the latter features a longer stay period. Therefore, if you intend to visit other areas within the Chinese mainland and plan to stay for no more than 15 days, it is recommended that you choose to enter Hainan under the China-wide unilateral visa exemption policy. If you plan to travel only within Hainan Province and stay for no more than 30 days, then it is recommended that you choose to enter Hainan under the Hainan-exclusive visa-free entry policy.
3. If you have a valid reason to extend your stay in Hainan or visit other parts of the Chinese mainland during your stay, you must apply for a visa from the Exit and Entry Administration of Hainan’s public security organs at least 7 days before the expiration of your visa-free stay period.
Travelers from countries not listed among the 74 visa-free countries are required to obtain a valid Chinese visa prior to entry. For more information about how to apply for Chinese Visa, please visit the website of Chinese Visa Application Center.
