KukuKoo

China-ready field guide · 7 minute read

Check the itinerary, not a one-line “visa-free” claim

Your passport is only one part of the entry question. Match the trip purpose, stay length, arrival and departure points, and any third-country routing against current official rules before relying on a visa, exemption or transit policy.

Reviewed How we handle high-risk guidance

The safe answer

KukuKoo does not decide entry eligibility. Use it to collect the facts, then confirm the exact route on the NIA website and the Chinese embassy or consulate responsible for the passport. Recheck shortly before departure.

Build my plan

Put these four facts in one verification record

Travel document
Passport country and type · expiry date · existing visa or permit
Purpose and duration
Tourism, business, family visit or transit · intended number of days
Arrival and departure
Every flight, train or ship leg · exact mainland ports · confirmed onward destination
Policy relied on
Visa, mutual or unilateral exemption, or a named transit policy with its official source

A policy may use nationality, passport type, purpose, route, port and permitted travel area differently. Do not verify only the easiest field.

Verify in this order

  1. Start with the National Immigration Administration.

    Find the current policy page that matches the route. Save the title, URL and date checked rather than a search-result summary.

  2. Check the responsible embassy or consulate.

    Confirm passport-specific application or exemption guidance and any local instructions that affect departure.

  3. Match every transport leg.

    For transit arrangements, verify the previous country or region, next country or region, eligible port and permitted stay area—not only the headline number of hours.

  4. Keep the evidence offline.

    Save the official page, tickets, first-night booking and a contact route for the carrier or NIA 12367.

  5. Recheck before leaving.

    Rules and implementation can change after booking. Repeat the official check before the trip becomes non-refundable.

Use the free official arrival-card route

Before travel

The NIA provides official online channels. Prepare passport details, transport information and the first accommodation before opening the form.

At the port

If advance submission is unavailable or does not apply, official guidance says online devices and paper arrival cards remain available at entry ports.

Keep the result

Save the confirmation where it opens without data and carry the same passport and itinerary used to complete it.

Official sources for the final check

Next: save the first-night address Turn this into my checklist