China passport and entry requirements
Passport must be valid for at least six months with blank visa pages.
Last reviewed:
Exercise increased caution in mainland China due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the use of exit bans without a fair and transparent process under the law, and the risk of unjust arrest or detention . Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Exercise increased caution in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws
Passport you need
A visa is normally required and applied for at a Chinese consulate. Some visa-free transit and short-stay programs exist — confirm before booking.
Blank pages: At least one blank visa page.
Official U.S. Department of State country informationVisa and travel authorizations
U.S. citizens can generally visit for tourism without a visa for short stays, but rules change — always confirm on the official government site before booking.
Before you book
- 1. Open your passport and read the expiration date. If it falls inside the validity window above, renew before you buy tickets.
- 2. Count your blank visa pages. Pages marked "amendments and endorsements" do not count as visa pages.
- 3. File any ETA, e-visa or arrival form on the official site, days before departure rather than at the airport.
- 4. Carry the passport book, not just the card, for any international flight.