Recently, the Ministry of Public Security and the National Immigration Administration of the People's Republic of China, in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, have announced providing more conveniences for cross-border travel to China. To facilitate New Zealand tourists, the Embassy and Consulates of the People’s Republic of China in New Zealand have compiled relevant information as follows:

First, we will continue to optimize the transit visa-free policy. Currently, there are 31 ports in 23 cities in 18 provinces (see attached table) that implement a 72/144-hour transit visa-free policy for citizens from 53 countries, including New Zealand, to transit from China to a third country or region. With valid international travel documents and flying tickets, one can stay visa-free for 72/144 hours in the specified area in China, enjoying travel convenience for short-term transit for temporary business, conferences, tourism and other activities.

To apply for a 72/144-hour transit visa exemption, the following conditions will be needed:

First, citizens of countries within the 72/144-hour transit visa exemption range (including New Zealand);

Second, a valid international travel document (valid for no less than 3 months) will be needed to prove one’s nationality and identity, and meet the conditions for entry to a third country or region;

Third, a connecting ticket to a third country or region with a confirmed date and seat within 72/144 hours or relevant certificates will be needed, and one needs to fill in the temporary entry alien entry card, and accept questions from China Immigration Inspection.

If one meets the above conditions, he/she can apply for a 144-hour transit visa exemption to the border inspection agencies in 20 cities in China, or apply for a 72-hour transit visa exemption to the border inspection agencies in Changsha, Guilin and Harbin. Other cities have not yet implemented this policy.

Those whose passports or other international travel documents are valid for less than 3 months, or who have a refusal stamp by China’s visa authorities, or who have illegal entry and exit, illegal residence, illegal employment records, etc. within 5 years, cannot apply for 72/144 hours Visa-free transit.

Second, we will implement a regional visa-free entry policy. Foreigners, including New Zealand citizens, who meet the applicable conditions of the policy can travel within the specified time and area.

Foreign tourist groups can enter Shanghai without a visa for 15 days by cruise ship. Foreign tourist groups (2 or more people included) organized and received by travel agencies registered in China and entered as a group from the Shanghai cruise port are exempted from visa application. Tour groups must accompany the same cruise itinerary and leave China as a whole group. The scope of activities is limited to coastal provinces and Beijing, that is, cruise berthing ports in Shanghai, Liaoning Province, Hebei Province, Tianjin, Shandong Province, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Guangdong Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and Hainan Province. One can stay within these cities and their surrounding urban administrative areas for 15 days.

Hainan Province offers 30 days of visa-free entry for 59 countries. People from 59 countries can enter Hainan visa-free through Hainan’s open ports through invitations and receptions by travel agencies, invitations and receptions by units or self-declaration. The scope of activities is limited to Hainan Province, the entry and exit ports are all ports in Hainan, and the time limit is 30 days.

Foreigners from Hong Kong and Macao are exempted from visas for 144 hours when entering Guangdong in groups. Foreign citizens of countries that have diplomatic relations with China can travel to 9 mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area and Shantou from Hong Kong and Macao by organizing a tour group (2 or more people) through a legally registered travel agency in Hong Kong and Macao. Ordinary passports without a visa are allowed to enter and stay for 144 hours. The scope of activities is limited to the nine cities of Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhaoqing, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Huizhou, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Shantou. The entry and exit ports are the ports in the above 10 cities. The tour groups shall come and leave as a whole group.

the Embassy and Consulates of the People’s Republic of China in New Zealand welcome New Zealand tourists to travel to China.