# Common Concerns and Frequently Asked Questions for Foreigners Entering China Foreign visitors’ main concerns generally revolve around visa and stay policies, entry procedures, daily life convenience, and specific codes of conduct. ## I. Questions Related to Visas, Stay Periods and Entry Formalities 1. Is my country included in the visa-free list? When will the policy expire? Currently, citizens of 50 countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan and South Korea enjoy unilateral visa-free entry for a stay of up to 30 days. The visa-free policy for certain countries such as Russia has a specific expiration date. 2. What activities are permitted under visa-free entry? Only business visits, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchange trips, or transit are allowed. Those intending to work, study, or conduct news reporting must apply for the corresponding visas in advance. 3. How is the 30-day visa-free stay calculated? The 30 consecutive calendar days start counting from the day after entry. 4. What if I wish to stay longer than 30 days? You need to apply for the relevant visa at Chinese embassies or consulates overseas before departure. If you are already in China due to an emergency, submit an application for a residence permit to the exit and entry administration of public security authorities before your visa-free period expires. 5. Am I allowed multiple visa-free entries? Are there any time interval restrictions? Multiple entries are permitted. At present, there are no restrictions on the number of entries or total cumulative stay days, provided each entry complies with permitted purposes. 6. What will border inspection officers check upon arrival? What documents should I carry? Border inspectors will verify your purpose for visiting China. It is recommended to carry supporting documents proving your visa-free eligibility, such as return flight tickets, hotel bookings, and invitation letters. 7. I hold a passport issued by a country with a mutual visa exemption agreement with China. How is my permitted stay calculated? The general rule is a maximum cumulative stay of 90 days within any 180-day period, with detailed applicable calculation rules. 8. Are there special visa-free entry requirements for minors? Minors follow the same entry requirements as adults. 9. What should I do if my passport is lost while staying in China? You must apply for a travel document at your home country’s embassy or consulate in China. If your new travel document qualifies under the visa-free agreement and your stay period remains valid, you may exit China with it; otherwise, apply for a residence permit from public security authorities. ## II. Accommodation and Registration Requirements in China 10. Do I need to register when checking into a hotel? Registration is mandatory. You may complete the procedure at the hotel front desk with your passport. 11. Is registration required if I stay with friends or at a homestay? Registration is compulsory. Within 24 hours after check-in, either you or your host must visit the local police station with your passport, rental contract and other supporting documents to complete registration. 12. Who will receive my accommodation registration information? Registration data will be submitted to public security authorities as required by Chinese law. Failure to register as stipulated may result in penalties. ## III. Daily Life and Payment Matters 13. Can I use Visa or Mastercard credit cards in China? They are accepted at large hotels, shopping malls and some restaurants, but mobile payment methods are far more widely used nationwide. 14. How can I set up mobile payment services? The most convenient option is to link your overseas credit card to Alipay or WeChat Pay. 15. How do I open a local Chinese bank card? Visit a commercial bank outlet with your passport and a Chinese mobile phone number to apply. 16. How can I exchange RMB? You may exchange currency at banks or exchange counters at entry ports, or withdraw cash via ATMs. The legal limit for carrying RMB cash per person per entry is 20,000 yuan. 17. How to purchase a Chinese SIM card and data plans? Bring your passport to service branches of China Mobile, China Telecom or China Unicom to select data packages tailored to your usage needs. 18. How to buy train tickets? Tickets can be purchased via the 12306 website or mobile app (English version available, registration supported for foreign passports), station ticket counters, or self-service ticketing machines (some accept Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards). 19. Can I drive in China directly with my foreign driver’s license? No. You must bring your passport, original driver’s license and certified translation to traffic management authorities to apply for a temporary driving permit after completing a short traffic regulation study session. 20. Am I allowed to bring personal medication into China? Personal medication in reasonable quantities for self-use is permitted and subject to customs inspection. Strict regulations apply to narcotic and psychotropic drugs; please check relevant rules in advance. ## IV. Employment, Residence and Long-Term Stay Issues 21. What should I do if I want to work after entering China with a visa? You must obtain a Notification of Foreigner’s Work Permit and apply for a Z Visa prior to arrival. Within 30 days after entry, apply for the Foreigner’s Work Permit. 22. What if my visa or residence permit is about to expire? Visa extension applications must be submitted at least 7 days before expiry. Residence permit extensions require submission 30 days prior to expiration. 23. I have obtained a new passport. Is my existing residence permit still valid? You must visit exit and entry administration departments of public security authorities within 10 days to update your document information. 24. How to handle changes or expiry of a Foreigner’s Work Permit? Submit an information modification application within 10 working days if your personal details change; apply for an extension at least 30 days before the permit expires. ## V. Internet, Conduct and Cultural Adaptation Guidelines 25. Can I access websites such as Google and Facebook in China? Certain international websites are restricted within Chinese territory. Access via VPNs must comply with relevant Chinese laws and regulations. 26. What rules apply to posts on social media platforms? All content posted must abide by Chinese laws; illegal or non-compliant information is prohibited. 27. Where is photography and video recording prohibited? Photography and filming of military facilities, equipment and restricted military zones are strictly forbidden. 28. What regulations govern pet ownership? You must follow local municipal rules regarding pet dogs and cats, including mandatory registration, vaccination and leash requirements. 29. Who should I contact in an emergency? Nationwide emergency hotlines: 110 (police), 120 (medical ambulance), 119 (fire services). It is recommended to save contact details of your embassy/consulate and local hosts. 30. Where can I obtain official and accurate policy updates? Authoritative information is released officially by the National Immigration Administration of China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Chinese embassies and consulates overseas. ## VI. Five Core Pre-Travel Tips for First-Time Foreign Tourists Visiting China (Question Format for Communication & Content Creation) 1. Have you prepared your payment methods? Mobile payment dominates consumption across China. We recommend binding your overseas credit card to Alipay or WeChat Pay beforehand, or carrying a small amount of RMB cash as backup to avoid payment difficulties at street shops and local markets. 2. Will your commonly used apps work normally in China? Services including Google, Facebook and WhatsApp are restricted domestically. Download WeChat for daily communication and Xiaohongshu for lifestyle content in advance. Learn about compliant VPN usage if you need access to overseas platforms, and prepare translation tools for Chinese-language scenarios. 3. Have you arranged your accommodation registration? Mandatory police registration must be completed within 24 hours of check-in for hotels, homestays and private residences. Hotel front desks can assist with registration; if staying at a private house or homestay, you must visit the local police station yourself. Failure to register may result in penalties. 4. Have you left enough buffer time in your travel schedule? China covers a vast territory, and travel distances between scenic spots may be longer than expected. Train and flight tickets sell out fast during peak travel periods. Avoid overpacking your itinerary, reserve spare time, and familiarize yourself with ticket booking procedures on platforms such as 12306 in advance. 5. Do you have basic expectations for cultural differences? Distinctions exist between Chinese and Western social norms, such as queuing etiquette, dining manners and acceptable noise levels in public spaces. Maintain an open mind and feel free to ask locals politely when confused — interacting with residents is a valuable part of your cultural experience.