Important Information for Citizens of Southeast Asian Countries (Singapore, Vietnam，the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand) Regarding Entry

I. Travel Documents and Visas (2026 Update: Summary for Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia)
1. Passport Requirements (Applicable to Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia)
Validity: Must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure
Blank Pages: At least 2 consecutive blank visa pages
Condition: No damage or alterations; must be a regular passport (temporary or emergency passports are not eligible for visa-free entry)
2. Visa-Free Policies (Differences Among the Six Countries—Be Sure to Distinguish Them)
Singapore: 30-day visa-free stay (tourism / business / family visit / transit). Long-term validity. Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Zanzibar.
Malaysia: 30-day reciprocal visa-free entry, cumulative stay ≤ 90 days per 180-day period. Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching.
Thailand: 60-day reciprocal visa-free entry (tourism / business / family visit).
Vietnam / Indonesia / Philippines: 30-day unilateral visa-free entry (until December 31, 2026) .
Visa exemption does not apply to: work, study, media interviews, or overstaying; corresponding visas must be applied for in advance (L for tourism / M for business).
3. Essential Documents to Carry (for inspection)
Round-trip flight tickets, hotel reservations, detailed itinerary (random checks may still occur even with visa exemption)
Contact information in China / travel agency details (name, phone number, address)
Passport copy + mobile phone / cloud backup
II. Border Inspection Process (Common to All Six Countries)
Declaration: Fill out the “Foreigners’ Entry Card” on the plane, or use the “China Border Inspection Declaration” mini-program to submit an electronic declaration 24 hours in advance.
Key Point: Enter your address in China down to the street and house number
Inspection: Present your passport + Entry Card; travelers aged 14–70 must provide fingerprints and have their photo taken on-site. Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu.
Common Questions (Answer truthfully)
Purpose: Tourism
Stay: X days (≤30/60, depending on nationality)
Accommodation: Hotel name + city
Itinerary: Cities (e.g., Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai)
III. Customs Declaration and Prohibited Items (Frequently Encountered in Southeast Asia)
1. Must be declared (use the red channel)
Cash: Equivalent to over 5,000 USD (RMB / foreign currency)
Valuables: Cameras, computers, jewelry with a unit price exceeding 5,000 RMB
Medications: Prescription drugs must be accompanied by an English prescription + original packaging; psychotropic/narcotic drugs are strictly prohibited
Tobacco and alcohol: 2 cartons of cigarettes + 1.5 liters of alcohol (excess amounts must be declared and taxed)
2. Absolutely Prohibited Items (Important Reminder)
Fresh/chilled meat (beef, pork, sausages, cured meat), uninspected animal or plant products
Fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, soil, honey, bird’s nest (unprocessed)
Dairy products (cheese, butter), betel nuts, e-cigarettes (including e-liquid)
Narcotics, firearms, controlled knives, flammable and explosive materials
Pornographic, violent, or subversive publications / digital content
Cultural relics, endangered flora and fauna, and their products
IV. Stay in China and Compliance Reminders (Applicable to Citizens of Six Countries)
Duration of Stay: Strictly based on nationality (Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines: 30 days; Thailand: 60 days), calculated from the day after entry; overstaying = illegal residence, resulting in fines and potential impact on future entry.
Accommodation Registration: Handled by the hotel; if staying with relatives or friends, register at the local police station within 24 hours.
Internet and Communications
Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and LINE cannot be accessed directly; it is recommended to use WeChat, Alipay, Baidu Maps, or prepare a VPN.
Purchase a Chinese SIM card (4G/5G) at the airport or in the city using your passport.
Payment: RMB cash + Visa/Mastercard + Alipay / WeChat Pay (can be linked to foreign cards).
Special Areas: Border passes or entry permits are required for Tibet and Xinjiang; travel agencies can assist.
V. Common Reasons for Entry Denial or Delays (Frequent in Southeast Asia)
Passport validity of less than 6 months or insufficient blank pages
Previous overstay, illegal residence, or unauthorized work in China
Carrying prohibited items (fresh meat, fruits, honey, bird’s nest, betel nuts, e-cigarettes)
Inaccurate information on the entry card or contradictory answers during border inspection
Lack of a reasonable itinerary or hotel reservations (random visa-free entry checks)