Entry Rules for China

Update: From September 15, 2025, tourists from Russia can enter China for up to 30 days without a visa. A valid international passport is sufficient for entry. This regime will be valid until at least September 14, 2026.

Air Travel with Russia

Since March 15, 2023, China has resumed issuing all types of visas for Russians. It will also be possible to enter with unexpired visas issued before March 28, 2020.

Currently, direct flights are available from Moscow to Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. Non-stop flights are offered by:

• Aeroflot — three times a week;

• Air China — five times a week;

• Hainan Airlines — two times a week.

Transit passengers currently only fly via Beijing. It is still not possible to make a transfer in Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Macau.

However, even in this situation, it is always possible to reach China with transfers through other countries. Even on the Moscow — Hong Kong route.

Types of Chinese Visas

Russian citizens need to obtain a visa to travel to China. Exceptions were (and possibly will remain) Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. You can enter these for 30 and 14 days, respectively, without a pre-arranged visa.

Visas for Russians are divided into several categories depending on the purpose of the trip.

Tourist Visa (L)

Traditionally the most common. Before COVID, China was among the top trendy tourist destinations because it met almost all needs: ancient culture, beach holidays, national parks, and exotic experiences.

During the pandemic, the issuance of tourist visas was suspended. But in late January, China's ambassador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui, stated that tourist visa processing is open. This does not yet mean the opening of borders for tourists.

Work Visa (Z)

This is for work-related trips. To obtain such a visa, it is mandatory to provide a contract with a Chinese employer or with a company branch in China.

The work visa has a VIP subcategory — R. It is issued to the most valuable specialists in the industry.

Student Visa (X1/X2)

No need for suspense — this option is for studying in China. The only difference is that an X1 visa is issued for short-term studies: courses, masterclasses, educational conferences, while an X2 is for long-term studies at a school or university.

Business Visa (M)

Regardless of the business scale, entrepreneurs entering China for business activities must obtain a business visa. Using any other type of visa with plans to generate profit within the country may result in an indefinite entry ban.

Transit Visa (G)

It is obtained in advance. However, if a passenger flies through certain international airports and will remain in China for no longer than 72 hours, a visa will not be required.

If you want to take a walk in the city (without leaving its limits), you should fly through these airports:

• Beijing;
• Shanghai;
• Chengdu;
• Guangzhou;
• Chongqing.

If you do not plan to leave the airport, the list of transit airports can be supplemented with:

• Dalian;
• Shenyang;
• Wuhan;
• Hangzhou;
• Harbin;
• Xiamen;
• Kunming;
• Xi'an;
• Guilin.

Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau were considered default transit cities. You can stay there without a visa for 14 and 30 days, respectively.

Visa for Relatives (Q1/Q2)

Simply put, an entry permit for relatives of Chinese citizens.

This type is also issued for family reunification. Reunification can only occur with immediate family members: wife/husband, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, and parents of the wife/husband.

Visitor Visa (F)

Suitable for exchange trips, familiarization tours, business trips, and visits categorized as "other".

Visa for Foreign Guests (S1/S2)

Essentially, this is a sub-type of the visitor visa. It allows visiting a non-citizen living in China. For example, a student or someone working under contract.

Permanent Residence Visa (D)

Required for temporary residence in China and processing documents for citizenship.

Those entering with D, Q1, S1, X1, Z visas must register their place of residence within 30 days of crossing the border. Failure to register may result in expulsion from the country.

Visa-Free Entry

You can fly to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau without a visa and stay for a limited time. Or obtain a visa upon arrival.

It is issued to tourists as part of a group (more than two people is already a group). Lists are prepared and submitted in advance by Chinese travel agencies.

Such groups can stay in China for no more than 21 days.

Bonuses for Residents of Border Areas

For residents of regions bordering China, there are special visa-free options. These regions include:

• Khabarovsk Krai;
• Amur Oblast;
• Primorsky Krai;
• Irkutsk Oblast;
• Zabaykalsky Krai.

If there is an invitation from the Chinese side, an entry permit is issued at the border itself (does not work at all checkpoints).

You must have an international passport, a passport with registration, and an invitation from the Chinese side. With such a permit, you can stay in China for up to 180 days.

Self-Application

The algorithm is quite simple:

• You need to determine the type of visa based on the purpose of your trip.
• Collect all documents: passports, photos, certificates, invitations from the Chinese side.
• Fill out the applicant's questionnaire.
• Submit the entire package of documents to the consular section of the embassy or to a visa center.

There are no particular difficulties in filling out the documents, and the approval rate is quite high.

Standard Document Package for Application

• International passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry and with blank pages for a stamp.
• Copies of passport pages with personal data.
• Clear photograph 3 x 4 or 3.5 x 4.5 cm.
• Properly filled out application form (without smudges or corrections).
• Copies of previously issued Chinese visas.

Other documents depend on the purpose of the trip.

Reasons for Refusal

China is very lenient towards applications from Russia. Refusals occur for standard reasons:

• documents are filled out incorrectly (typos/errors/missing data);
• there is a recorded violation of visa legislation or law;
• suspicions of involvement in terrorist activities.

Visa to China for a Child

The package of documents for obtaining a child's visa is practically no different from those for adults. Additionally, you will need to attach:

• the application form filled out by parents;
• a copy of the birth certificate;
• a certified travel consent, if the child is traveling with one parent or an accompanying person.

Required Documents for Entry

• International passport, valid for at least six months from the date of crossing the border. The passport must have blank pages for a stamp.
• Visa, obtained from the Consulate General of the PRC, the consular section of the embassy, a visa center, or through a tour operator.
• Medical insurance for the entire period of stay in China with coverage of at least 15,000 USD.
• PCR test, taken 48 hours before departure.
• Tourists should have information about hotel bookings and a rough travel plan for the country.
• Those entering for business purposes may be asked for an invitation from a Chinese partner.
• Those entering for work will require an employment contract, work permit, and an invitation from a Chinese employer.
• Transit passengers will need to present a ticket to a third country and a visa, if required for entry.

COVID Restrictions

China is gradually easing COVID restrictions.

• As of January 8, 2023, mandatory quarantine upon arrival and PCR testing upon arrival have been canceled.
• Those entering with a negative test no longer need to obtain a "health code".
• Entrants must take a PCR test 48 hours before the flight. The PCR test result is entered into the health declaration.
• Despite the relaxations, passengers must wear protective masks throughout the flight. Aircraft undergo full disinfection between flights.

A vaccination certificate is no longer required, but just in case, it's worth taking a screenshot of the English version on Gosuslugi.

• Upon arrival, selective rapid tests are conducted. A positive result requires self-isolation. Hospitalization is only for severe symptoms.

Entry Features for Certain Regions

Most quarantine-related restrictions have now been lifted, but there are some features worth knowing.

Hong Kong

For a trip to Hong Kong for up to 14 days, Russians do not need a visa. Only a standard PCR test, taken 48 hours before departure, will be required. Quarantine rules have been canceled, and mandatory vaccination is no longer checked.

Macau

A similar story in Macau, where Russian citizens can stay without a visa for up to 30 days. A PCR test 48 hours prior is also required, but with a caveat: for those entering from mainland China, no test is needed. Vaccination is also no longer mandatory.

Taiwan

You can enter Taiwan using the same scheme — Russian citizens can stay on the island for 14 days without a visa. If you want to extend your stay, you need to process documents according to the standard procedure or exit and re-enter.

Coronavirus entry restrictions have been lifted.

So, once again about entering China in 2023

• The cost depends on the possible number of border crossings — single or multiple.
• Apply independently. The approval rate is quite high.
• Without a visa, you can stay in China for a limited time and only in a few regions (e.g., Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan). Or up to 72 hours in case of transit through China.
• Violation of immigration regulations threatens not only large fines but also deportation with a subsequent entry ban.

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