China canceled visas for Russians in 2025: visa is not needed for 30 days

General information about the new rules of transit 240 hours through China without a visa

Since September 15, 2025, China has canceled the visa regime for tourists with Russian passports. So far, this is a temporary cancellation until September 15, 2026, but there is a possibility of extending this period.

Now it is not required to issue a visa-free transit for 240 hours as before for flights with a transfer in China. Also, you do not need to apply for a visa to stay in China.

All this is great news, and not only for those who wanted to visit China, but also for those who fly in transit to other countries, since it removes the need for paperwork for visa–free transit. Recall that Chinese airlines offer very good prices for flights with one or two transfers to the countries popular with Russians Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, etc.

The conditions for entering China are now extremely simple. Here's the most important thing to know:

• Purpose of entry. business, tourism, visiting family or friends, cultural exchanges, transit. They may refuse entry if they suspect that you want to enter for illegal work or other purposes not listed above.
• The period of stay is not more than 30 days without interruption. If you need to stay longer, you will have to apply for a long-term visa through a visa application center or consulate.
• How is the length of stay considered. The countdown does not start from the day of entry, but the next day. But you should leave no later than 30 days, and not after it.
• It is impossible to extend a visa-free stay. But you can leave the country and re-enter. There are no restrictions on the number of entries and the length of stay during the year yet.
• Passport validity period. There is no requirement that the passport must be valid for a certain number of days after departure, i.e. it is enough that it is valid at least until the end of your trip. However, if you are flying in transit, then you need to comply with the requirements for the validity period of your passport and the visa regime of a third country, otherwise you may be refused entry.
• You can enter and leave without a visa on any transport, not just by plane.
• You can enter without a visa from any country, not just from the Russian Federation.
• Availability of return tickets is mandatory. As confirmation of your intention to leave the country within the permitted 30-day period, you must have tickets back to the Russian Federation or to any other country.
• The availability of hotel reservations is very desirable. Although there is no requirement in official communications to have a hotel reservation, it may be requested at border control to make sure that you are entering for tourism or other permitted purposes.