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 wrongful detention . Some areas have specific risks. Read the entire Travel Advisory. See also: Macau and Hong Kong . National security laws Expansive national security, counterespionage, and data security laws grant
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.