Travel Regulations Update

Please check with national and local authorities for updates on related regulations and guidelines prior to your travel. Please also refer to the “Travel and Security Information for China” released by the German Federal Foreign Office.

Update in January 2024:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on November 24, 2023 to launch a pilot visa-free policy for Germany:

China unilateral pilot visa-free policy for six countries (CN/ DE)

From December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024, German passport holders can enter China without a visa for business, sightseeing, visiting relatives and friends, and transit that does not exceed 15 days.

In addition, detailed questions in practical implementation were clarified by the Chinese Embassy in Germany.

Frequently Asked Questions regarding the visa free policy for German citizens by the Chinese Embassy in Germany (CN/ DE)

The FAQ clarified detailed questions in practical implementation, such as the policy allowing multiple visits to China and there are no restrictions on the visit times or frequency, foreigners enjoying the policy can depart from any country (region) outside of China.

To facilitate foreigner’s visits to China, five measures were introduced by National Immigration Administration. The measures include a relaxation of port visa application requirements, 24-hour direct transit without undergoing border check procedures at nine major airports, easy apply for a visa extension or reissue, multiple-entry visas in cases of need for foreigners already in China and minimizes the types of the materials for visa applications.

Keywords: China travel, China visa, visa exemptions.

Update on October 31, 2023:

Cancellation of Digital Health Declaration Form

The General Administration of Customs released a notice on the cancellation of the health declaration when entering and exiting China. Starting from November 1, 2023, travelers are no longer required to fill in a health declaration form. However, travelers with symptoms of infectious diseases are required to actively make a health declaration to Customs.

Keywords: China travel, COVID-19 testing, digital health declaration, China travel requirements.

Update on August 28, 2023:

Cancellation of Digital Health Declaration Form

As of August 30, 2023, travelers to China will no longer be required to undergo COVID-19 testing (nucleic acid or antigen) upon entry. This update was announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China on August 28, 2023, and is part of China's ongoing efforts to ease travel restrictions. A notice (DE) has also been posted at the Chinese Embassy in Germany.

Inbound travelers are also no longer required to declare the results of COVID-19 tests within 48 hours when making a health declaration to the Customs, according to a notice by the General Administration of Customs of China.

Keywords: China travel, COVID-19 testing, digital health declaration, China travel requirements.

The situation remains dynamic, and local regulations can change according to international developments without notice. The German Embassy and the German Consulates have no influence on the quarantine measures, that are adopted in accordance with national infection control regulations in China.