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US passport · China

Do US citizens need a visa for China?

By the Visa Almanac editorial teamChange logUpdated 4 Nov 2026

In brief

Yes. US passport holders need a visa for China, arranged before travel.

China visa fee for US citizens: At the Chinese Embassy and consulates in the US a visa costs US citizens $140 for single, double or multiple entries (a reduced rate until 31 December 2026); express service costs $25 more. Official fee. Source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States, checked .

China visa processing time for US citizens: Regular processing takes about 4 business days and express about 3 business days, counted from the day the passport is handed in. Source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States, checked .

Exception: Hainan Province only: enter through a Hainan port and stay within Hainan; ordinary passports; stay: 30 days.

不符合免签条件人员仍需在入境前办妥来华签证。In English: Those who do not meet the visa-free conditions still need to obtain a Chinese visa before entry.Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Russian Federation

Checked 4 Nov 2026Source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Russian FederationReport a change

Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

ContentsIn brief
  1. In brief
  2. At a glance
  3. Do US citizens need a visa?
  4. How to apply
  5. Fee
  6. Processing time
  7. Documents
  8. What changed
  9. FAQ
  10. Sources

At a glance

AccessVisa requiredException: Hainan Province only: enter through a Hainan port and stay within Hainan; ordinary passports; stay: 30 days
StayNot stated by the official source
Validity and entriesNot stated by the official source
Official feeAt the Chinese Embassy and consulates in the US a visa costs US citizens $140 for single, double or multiple entries (a reduced rate until 31 December 2026); express service costs $25 more.5
Official processingRegular processing takes about 4 business days and express about 3 business days, counted from the day the passport is handed in.6
Where to applyFill in the form and upload documents in the China Online Visa Application (COVA) system, then hand in your passport at the Chinese visa office that covers the US state where you live.6

Do US citizens need a visa for China?

The US is not on the exemption lists, and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Russian Federation says that all other nationals need a visa before they travel.

“不符合免签条件人员仍需在入境前办妥来华签证。”

In English: “Those who do not meet the visa-free conditions still need to obtain a Chinese visa before entry.”

Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Russian Federation · checked

Conditions and exceptions

  • With conditions · 30 days Hainan Province only: enter through a Hainan port and stay within Hainan; ordinary passports; stay: 30 days.

    Foreign nationals holding ordinary passports from 61 countries may enter and stay within the administrative region of Hainan Province for a maximum of 30 days without a visaNational Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China · checked

  • Visa-free entry for US citizens is limited to Hainan Province: up to 30 days for tourism, business, visits, medical treatment, conferences or sports, entering through any open port in Hainan; it does not cover work or study.

    Foreign nationals holding ordinary passports from 61 countries may enter and stay within the administrative region of Hainan Province for a maximum of 30 days without a visa for short-term stays for purposes associated with tourism, business, visits, family visits, medical treatment, conferences and exhibitions, sports competitions, etc. The policy does not apply to those who intend to enter for working or studying. The exit-entry ports for the foreign nationals concerned include all the open ports in Hainan. ... the United Kingdom, the United States, VietnamNational Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China · checked

  • The United States is not on China's 30-day unilateral visa-free list (as of 17 February 2026), so US citizens need a visa for mainland China outside Hainan, apart from visa-free transit and organised group-tour exemptions.

    ( Compiled according to information released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, as of February 17, 2026 ) ... Americas (6 countries): Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Uruguay ... Nationals of the above countries holding ordinary passports may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visits to relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit, for stays of up to 30 days.National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China · checked

  • US citizens travelling on to a third country can use 240-hour visa-free transit: up to 10 days in the permitted areas, entering through one of 65 designated ports with an ordinary passport and an onward ticket with a confirmed seat and date.

    Currently, China is implementing this policy for nationals of 57 countries including Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Nationals of these countries, who need to transit through China to third countries or regions, may enter visa-free through any of the designated 65 open exit-entry ports in 24 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government and stay in the permitted areas for no more than 10 days, provided that they hold ordinary passports and onward tickets with confirmed seats and departure dates.National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China · checked

  • Since 20 November 2025 you can fill in China's arrival card online before the trip (NIA website, NIA 12367 app or WeChat/Alipay mini program) or on arrival at the port.

    Effective November 20, 2025, foreign nationals may fill in the relevant entry information online before coming to China through the official website and government service platform of the National Immigration Administration (NIA), the “NIA 12367” app and WeChat/Alipay mini program, or by scanning the QR code via mobile phone.Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States · checked

How to apply

  1. Fill in the form and upload documents in the China Online Visa Application (COVA) system, then hand in your passport at the Chinese visa office that covers the US state where you live.

    Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States · checked

Fee

These are government fees as the official sources state them. Agencies add their own service fees; those are not visa fees, and we don't list them.

Processing time

Documents and entry checks

What changed

  1. Since 20 November 2025 you can fill in China's arrival card online before the trip (NIA website, NIA 12367 app or WeChat/Alipay mini program) or on arrival at the port. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States · checked
  2. The United States is not on China's 30-day unilateral visa-free list (as of 17 February 2026), so US citizens need a visa for mainland China outside Hainan, apart from visa-free transit and organised group-tour exemptions. National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China · checked
  3. Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.

FAQ

Is China visa-free for US citizens now?

No. US citizens need a visa before they travel. The exception: Hainan Province only: enter through a Hainan port and stay within Hainan; ordinary passports; stay: 30 days.

How much does a China visa cost for US citizens?

At the Chinese Embassy and consulates in the US a visa costs US citizens $140 for single, double or multiple entries (a reduced rate until 31 December 2026); express service costs $25 more.

Can I get a China visa in 7 days?

Regular processing takes about 4 business days and express about 3 business days, counted from the day the passport is handed in.

Sources

Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.

  1. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Russian Federation: entry ruleru.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked
  2. National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China: entry rule and entry conditionsen.nia.gov.cn · checked
  3. National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China: entry conditionsen.nia.gov.cn · checked
  4. National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China: entry conditionsen.nia.gov.cn · checked
  5. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States: feesus.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked
  6. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States: processing time and how to applyus.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked
  7. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States (notice from the National Immigration Administration): entry conditionsus.china-embassy.gov.cn · checked
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Visa Almanac is an independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.

Rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source linked on each page before you travel.