China is heavily promoting Hainan as a future business hub and gateway for trade. As of June 1, 2020, Chinese released the Overall Plan for the Construction of Hainan Free Trade Port. This plan is to transform the entire island into China’s largest special economic zone and is anticipated to bring in foreign talent to reside or work in the free trade port.
To further facilitate trade and investment in Hainan, China has also implemented less stringent visa policies by launching their visa-free entry policy for citizens of certain 59 countries as of May 1, 2018. For those looking to take advantage of business opportunities in Hainan stand to gain a lot from this accessibility.
In this blog, we uncover everything you need to know about Hainan’s 30-day visa-free scheme.
Mandatory documents required for Hainan 30-Day Free Visa
- Must hold a valid ordinary passport of the 59 Countries mentioned below.
- A valid passport or travel document valid for at least 3 months from entry date
- Travel itinerary to Hainan / hotel bookings
Requirements for Hainan Visa-free Entry
The application for Hainan travel for eligible countries is relatively easy. The following requirements must be met to obtain your 30-Day Free Visa to Hainan: - Must hold valid ordinary passport of the 59 Countries mentioned below
- Visitors must enter from ports in Sanya, Haikou and any ports opened in Hainan
- Visitors must make pre-arrival registration through a local travel agency. To note, visitors cannot do this themselves. We recommend that you submit the relevant documentation listed above at least 48 hours in advance of arrival.
List of Countries That Can Apply for Hainan 30-Day Free Visa
Hainan’s visa free travel policy only stands to benefit nationals from 59 countries. Below we have listed the the 59 countries granted visa-free travel to Hainan:
Europe & the Middle East |
Albania Austria Belarus Belgium Bosnia-Herzegovina Britain Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxemburg Malta Macedonia Monaco Montenegro Norway Poland Portugal Qatar Romania Russia Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Netherlands United Arab Emirates Ukraine |
American Countries |
Argentina Brazil Canada Chile Mexico United States |
Asia & Oceania |
Australia Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Japan Kazakhstan Malaysia New Zealand Philippines South Korea Singapore Thailand |
A Promising Change
This new travel change promises to bring business to the island while increasing cultural exchange between China and the rest of the world.
If you're thinking about working in China, make sure to download our free comprehensive Work Visa for China Checklist!