Do I need a visa to visit China?+
Depends entirely on your passport and your routing. Around 50 countries have unilateral 30-day visa-free entry, roughly 25 more have treaty exemptions, 57 nationalities qualify for 240-hour transit with an onward ticket, and three regional schemes cover Hainan, the Greater Bay Area and cruise arrivals. US, Canadian and Indian passport holders usually use the transit scheme or apply for an L visa.
Is China visa-free for US citizens?+
Not for ordinary entry. US passport holders qualify for the 240-hour transit scheme if they have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country, and for the 30-day Hainan Island scheme if they fly direct to Haikou or Sanya and stay on the island.
How long does a Chinese visa take?+
Four working days standard at the visa application centre, two to three for express at roughly double the fee. Add a week in peak season or if your photo is rejected — photo specification is the single most common cause of delay.
Can I extend my stay inside China?+
Yes. Apply at the local exit-entry administration at least seven days before your permitted stay ends, with a valid reason, your passport, accommodation proof and a photo. Extensions are usually 30 days and are granted routinely.
What happens if I overstay?+
You are fined per day of overstay and the record is logged, which can affect future applications. If a flight cancels and you cannot leave, go to the exit-entry administration before your stay expires and get an extension — do not simply stay.
Do children need their own visa?+
Yes, every traveller needs an individual visa or entry record, including infants. Children under 18 get free entry to most attractions but still need the passport and, where required, a reservation.
Do I need to register my address with the police?+
The hotel does it automatically. If you stay in a private apartment or with friends, you must register at a police station within 24 hours. Most hosts handle it — confirm in writing.
Can I enter China with a one-way ticket?+
Only on visa-free routes that do not require an onward ticket — unilateral entry and treaty exemption. Transit entry requires an onward booking to a different country, and airlines check this at check-in.
Is a Hong Kong visa the same as a China visa?+
No. Hong Kong has its own immigration rules: US, UK, EU, Australian and Canadian citizens get 90 days visa-free. You need a separate mainland visa or a qualifying transit arrangement to cross into mainland China.
Can I work remotely on a tourist visa?+
The L visa covers tourism, family visits and short business visits. Remote work for a foreign employer sits in a grey area: it is not explicitly prohibited, but it is not a permitted activity either. Do not describe your trip as work at the border.
What is the 240-hour transit rule in one sentence?+
Nationals of 57 countries arriving at 65 approved ports with a confirmed onward ticket to a different country get 10 days in China, starting the day after arrival, within 24 permitted provincial regions.