15-day visa-free entry for foreign tour groups arriving by cruise ship: cruising in China made easier
Starting from May 15, 2024, foreign tour groups (2 people or more) traveling by cruise ship and organized and received by domestic travel agencies can enter China visa-free through 13 cruise ports, stay for no more than 15 days, and their activities may cover coastal provinces and Beijing.
Taking a cruise for a "sea vacation" is a travel style favored by many international travelers. Since May 2024, a visa-free policy for cruise tour groups has made cruising in China easier.
Policy Highlights
- Effective Date: From May 15, 2024;
- Eligible Travelers: Foreign tour groups traveling by cruise ship and organized and received by travel agencies within China (2 or more people);
- Duration of Stay: Starting from 00:00 of the day after entry, not exceeding 15 days;
- Area of Activity: Coastal provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government) and Beijing;
- Basic requirements: The tour group must travel with the same cruise ship to the next port until the cruise ship exits the country on this trip.
13 cruise ports
The applicable ports are distributed across multiple coastal cities, including: Tianjin, Dalian in Liaoning, Shanghai, Lianyungang in Jiangsu, Wenzhou and Zhoushan in Zhejiang, Xiamen in Fujian, Qingdao in Shandong, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in Guangdong, Beihai in Guangxi, and Haikou and Sanya in Hainan. This multi-point layout makes the choice of cruise routes and shore excursions even richer.
Supporting port conveniences
In step with the cruise visa-free policy, a number of cruise ports have also been newly added as applicable ports under the transit visa-free policy, further enhancing customs clearance convenience for cruise passengers. Going ashore for sightseeing and experiencing local culture are both more efficient and smoother.
What It Means for Cruise Passengers
For foreign travelers joining international cruise itineraries, this policy eliminates the hassle of applying for visas at every stop, making "one ship, many cities" possible: you can enjoy time at sea on deck while also exploring China's coastal cities and Beijing's famous landmarks at the ports of call. For travelers planning to begin their China trip by cruise, this is undoubtedly a major boon.