At the border

Have a valid passport (and a visa if you need one), the arrival card, your hotel address in Chinese, and proof that matches your purpose.

The law allows refusal if you cannot guarantee expected expenditures. No official visitor cash amount was found.

Since 15 September 2026, State Council Decree No. 841 (Article 5) provides that a foreign national who provides false materials or makes false statements when applying for a Chinese visa or for entry at a port may be barred from entering China for one to five years.

Fingerprints at the visa office are waived until 31 December 2026 for short-term visas (stay ≤180 days). That waiver does not cancel biometrics at the border. A long-standing NIA booklet covers ages 14–70.

The health declaration was abolished on 1 November 2023. Volunteer symptoms if you are ill.

NIA hotline 12367, from abroad +86-10-12367.