General Visa Policy

Participants from most countries will be required to obtain a visa to enter the People’s Republic of China.

• From December 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025, individuals from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia, ordinary passport holders from the above countries can enter China for purposes like business, tourism, family visits, or transit for up to 15 days without the need for a visa.
• From March 14, 2024, to December 31, 2025, individuals from Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg, ordinary passport holders from the above countries can enter China for purposes like business, tourism, family visits, or transit for up to 15 days without the need for a visa.
• Citizens of Singapore and Brunei holding ordinary passports may also enter China without a visa provided that their purpose of visit is for tourism, family visits, business, or transit, and that their stay in China is no more than 15 days.
• Citizens of Thailand. Holders of valid ordinary passports of the Kingdom of Thailand shall be exempted from visa requirement for entry into, exit from or transit through the territory of China, for each single stay not exceeding thirty (30) days and for a cumulative period of stays not exceeding ninety (90) days in any one hundred and eighty (180)-day-period.
• The Citizens of Georgia holding valid ordinary passports, shall be exempted from visa requirements for entry into, exit from, or transit through the territory of each other’s country, for each single stay not exceeding 30 days and for a cumulative period of stay not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day-period.
• From July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025, citizens from New Zealand, Australia, and Poland with ordinary passports will be allowed to enter and stay in China visa-free for up to 15 days for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit.

Please check with your Chinese Embassy or Consulate General or Chinese Visa Application Centre (CVASC) which serves your residence area for your visa application details at your earliest convenience. Without exception, you must have a passport valid for at least six months. Early application is highly recommended.

In general, a Tourist Visa (L Visa) will suffice for your attendance. You might not need to present an invitation letter to apply for a Tourist Visa. However, if it is required or a Business Visa (F Visa) is a must, you probably need an Invitation Letter from the conference.

240-hour Visa-free Transit Policy

China has extended visa-free transit stays to 240 hours (10 days) in Shanghai on Dec 17, 2024.

Under the rule, citizens from countries that are listed in the 240-hour Visa-Exemption Transit Policy, holding valid international travel documents, onward flight/vessel/train tickets to a third country/region with a confirmed date and seat within 240 hours and the filled arrival card upon their arrival, are allowed to apply Transit Visa Exemption in Shanghai for a total of 240 hours. It applies to 60 ports, including Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Railway Station, Nanjing Lukou International Airport and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport.

After having successfully applied for 240-hour visa-exemption transit at one of the above-listed ports of entry, transit passengers can explore the wonders of Shanghai and many other regions across China.

Citizens from the following 54 countries can apply for 240-hour visa-exemption transit including: