Do Russian citizens need a visa for China?
No — you can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days. This page covers what that means when travelling on a Russian passport, and the entry rules that apply once you land.
Last checked July 2026
No visa needed — up to 30 days
Russian citizens can enter mainland China with no visa at all and stay up to 30 days, under China's unilateral visa-free policy.
- Valid for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, cultural and educational exchange, and transit. Working is not permitted.
- No onward ticket is required, and you can arrive at any open port of entry — you are not limited to designated transit ports.
- Russia's place on the visa-free list runs through 31 December 2027 — later than the rest of the list — as an extension of a trial that began in September 2025. China sets it unilaterally and it can change, so re-check before you book.
Worth knowing: Russia is on China's unilateral visa-free list (not a bilateral treaty). Its access began as a trial on 15 September 2025 and China has extended it to 31 December 2027 — later than the 31 December 2026 date on the rest of the list. Confirm the current position with the NIA before booking, as trial arrangements can change.
Checked July 2026 against China National Immigration Administration ↗. Entry rules change often and can depend on your exact circumstances — always confirm with the NIA or your nearest Chinese embassy before booking.
Applies to every traveller, whatever your passport
The clock starts the day after you arrive
Visa-free stays are counted from 00:00 on the day AFTER you enter, not from your landing time — so an evening arrival effectively gives you an extra part-day.
Carry your physical passport at all times
You need it for hotel check-in, buying train and intercity bus tickets, some attractions, buying a SIM, and occasional police ID checks. A photo on your phone is not always accepted.
You must be registered with local police within 24 hours
Hotels do this automatically when they scan your passport at check-in. If you stay in a private home or an Airbnb that does not handle it, register yourself at the neighbourhood police station within 24 hours.
Tibet needs a permit on top of your entry
Foreign tourists cannot travel independently in Tibet, including Lhasa. You must book an organised tour through a licensed Tibetan agency, which obtains the Tibet Travel Permit for you — entering China visa-free does not grant access. Apply about 3 weeks ahead, or 6-8 in high season.
Hong Kong and Macau are separate immigration zones
You clear passport control entering and leaving them, and they use their own currencies. Coming back into the mainland uses a fresh visa-free entry or a multiple-entry visa — check your status before you cross.
Frequently asked questions
Do Russian citizens need a visa for China?
No — you can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days. Russian citizens can enter mainland China with no visa at all and stay up to 30 days, under China's unilateral visa-free policy.
How long can Russian citizens stay in China?
Up to 30 days per entry. The clock starts at 00:00 on the day after you enter, not from your arrival time.
Is visa-free entry to China still valid in 2026?
Russia's place on the visa-free list runs through 31 December 2027 — later than the rest of the list — as an extension of a trial that began in September 2025. China sets it unilaterally and it can change, so re-check before you book.
Planning the rest of your trip?
Ask China TravelPal anything about visiting China on a Russian passport — payments without a Chinese bank account, trains, VPNs, or what to do in each city.
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