Round trip USA ↔ China: you need a visa. The US is not on China's 30-day visa-free list.
Flying on to a third country (Hong Kong counts): up to 10 days visa-free with 240-hour transit.
Tourism: L visa, $140 through December 31, 2026, up to 10 years multiple entry.
Business or factory visits: M visa with an invitation letter — we provide it for our clients.
Correction (September 2026): an earlier version of this guide said Americans could enter China visa-free for 30 days. That was wrong. China's unilateral 30-day policy covers about 50 countries — including the UK and Canada since February 17, 2026 — but not the United States. We have rewritten this guide; please check any plans you made based on the earlier version.
China has been opening up fast. In the past two years it has waived visas for most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, several Gulf and Latin American countries, and in February 2026 the UK and Canada. American passport holders are the notable exception: for a normal round trip you still need a Chinese visa. The good news is that the process is cheaper and simpler than it used to be, and there is a legal way to visit for up to 10 days without one.
Your Four Options at a Glance
Option 1: 240-Hour Transit
Fly from the US to China and on to a different third country or region — Hong Kong, Macau, Japan or Korea all work. Confirmed onward ticket required. Enter and exit through one of 65 designated ports; travel within 24 provinces.
Option 2: L Tourist Visa
For tourism and family visits. Up to 10-year multiple entry. Online pre-review in COVA, then in-person submission at the embassy or your consulate. Fingerprints waived through December 31, 2026.
Option 3: M Business Visa
For company visits, factory and supplier meetings, trade fairs and negotiations. Needs an invitation letter from a host in China — we provide it for our business-trip clients.
Option 4: Hainan Visa-Free
Hainan Island runs its own visa-free program for citizens of 59 countries, including the US, for travelers arriving directly in Hainan. Stay on the island only.
The Decision Tree: Which One Is Right for You?
- 10 days or less and you can end in Hong Kong, Japan or Korea? → Option 1 (240-hour transit). No visa.
- Round trip USA ↔ China for tourism? → Option 2 (L visa). Apply 1–2 months ahead.
- Visiting companies, factories or trade fairs? → Option 3 (M visa) with an invitation letter.
- Just want beaches? → Option 4 (Hainan).
- Visiting Tibet? → A Chinese visa plus a Tibet Travel Permit through a registered agency.
- Working in China? → Z work visa. A different process, not covered here.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | 240hr Transit | L Visa | M Visa | Hainan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $0 | $140 | Visa fee | $0 |
| Application needed? | No | Yes | Yes + invitation | No |
| Max stay | 10 days | Up to 60 days per entry | Per visa | Up to 30 days |
| Round trip USA ↔ China? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes (Hainan only) |
| Business meetings? | Yes | No | Yes | Limited |
| Multiple entry? | Single | Up to 10 years | Depends | Single |
| Mainland access | 24 provinces | Full | Full | Hainan only |
Always verify before booking: China changes its visa lists often. Check the Chinese Embassy in the US or your consulate before you buy flights.
If You Need an L Visa: Step-by-Step
Complete the COVA form online
Go to cova.mfa.gov.cn, fill in the application and upload documents for the online pre-review.
Gather your documents
US passport with 6+ months validity and blank pages, a compliant photo, your printed and signed COVA form, and your itinerary with hotel bookings and round-trip flights (or an invitation letter).
Submit in person
At the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC, or the consulate covering your state: New York, Chicago, San Francisco or Los Angeles. Fingerprints are waived for L and M visas through December 31, 2026.
Pay the fee
$140 for US citizens at the reduced rate through December 31, 2026. Express service costs extra.
Collect your passport
Check the visa for entry type, validity and allowed stay per entry before you travel.
Start 1–2 months before your trip to leave room for the pre-review and an appointment.
Going for Business? The M Visa
If you are visiting Chinese companies, factories or trade fairs such as the Canton Fair, apply for an M business visa. The key document is an invitation letter from a host in China. For clients on our custom factory and business trips, we apply directly to the companies you want to visit and provide the invitation letter, matched to your confirmed itinerary.
The 240-Hour Transit Option
Instead of flying USA → China → USA, book USA → Beijing or Shanghai → Hong Kong → USA. Because you leave mainland China for a different region, your China stay counts as transit and you can spend up to 10 days without a visa. Hong Kong gives Americans 90 days visa-free on its own.
The route: fly into Beijing or Shanghai, travel within the permitted provinces, then take the high-speed train from Shenzhen to Hong Kong and fly home from Hong Kong. You must enter and leave through designated ports, hold a confirmed onward ticket and stay within 240 hours.
Want to see the Great Wall and Terracotta Army without a visa?
Our new guide walks through a real 10-day plan: land in Shanghai, Beijing and Xi'an, exit to Hong Kong or Taipei. It includes the 240-hour clock and the standby-ticket trap for airline staff.
Read the 10-Day GuideOr let us plan it privately: driver, guide & 24/7 interpreter · WhatsApp
What to Set Up Before You Go
- Alipay: China's primary payment app. Link your US Visa, Mastercard, Amex or Discover card directly — setup guide.
- WeChat: China's everything app. Messaging, payments, mini-programs. WeChat Pay guide.
- VPN: Essential. Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube are blocked in China. Even Elon Musk uses one. We provide one free to all clients.
- Trip.com: Best English-language app for hotels, trains, and domestic flights.
- eSIM: Get a China data eSIM before you fly. Available from Airalo, Holafly, or Trip.com.
- STEP registration: Register with the US Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for embassy alerts.
We Handle All of This for You
Visa guidance, business-visa invitation letters, VPN setup, Alipay configuration, eSIM, hotels, trains and guides. One partner, zero stress.
Plan My China Trip