Entry Requirements for Australian and New Zealand Citizens

I. Documents and Visas (Latest Policies for Australian and New Zealand Citizens in 2026)
1. Passport Requirements
Validity: Must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure
Blank Pages: At least 2 consecutive blank visa pages
Condition: Must be free of damage, alterations, or severe water stains
2. Visa-Free Policy (February 17–December 31, 2026)
30-Day Visa-Free Entry: Holders of ordinary passports from Australia and New Zealand traveling for tourism, business, family visits, or transit, with a single stay of ≤30 days, do not need to apply for a visa in advance (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China).
Applicable to: Ordinary passports; entry purposes of tourism, business, family visits, or transit; stays of ≤30 days (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China).
Exclusions from Visa-Free Entry: Work, study, media interviews, or stays exceeding 30 days; corresponding visas must be applied for in advance (e.g., L tourist visa, M business visa). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.
240-Hour Transit Visa-Free Entry: Applicable to connecting transit; generally not applicable to pure tourism round-trips to Australia and New Zealand. Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region.
3. Recommended to carry (for inspection):
Round-trip flight tickets, hotel reservations, itinerary (random checks may still occur even with visa-free entry)
Contact information in China / travel agency details (name, phone number, address)
Passport copy + backup on mobile phone or in the cloud
II. Border Inspection Process
Boarding / Onboard: Obtain the “Foreigners’ Entry Card,” or complete electronic declaration in advance using the “China Border Inspection Declaration” mini-program
Key Point: You must provide the full address of your accommodation in China (including the exact street name and house number)
Border Inspection Counter: Present your passport and Entry Card; travelers aged 14–70 must provide fingerprints and have their photo taken on-site
Common Questions (Answer truthfully)
Purpose: Tourism
Stay: X days (≤30)
Accommodation: Hotel name + city
Itinerary: Cities (e.g., Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai)
III. Customs Declaration and Prohibited/Restricted Items (Important Reminder for Australia and New Zealand)
1. Must be declared (use the red channel)
Cash: Equivalent to more than 5,000 USD (RMB / foreign currency)
Valuables: Cameras, computers, and jewelry with a unit price exceeding 5,000 RMB
Medications: Prescription drugs must be accompanied by an English prescription and original packaging; psychotropic and narcotic drugs are strictly prohibited
Animals and Plants: Fresh fruits, meat, seeds, soil, and biological specimens are strictly prohibited from entering the country (Australian and New Zealand customers often bring fresh produce; this requires special emphasis)
Tobacco and Alcohol: 2 cartons of cigarettes + 1.5 liters of alcohol (excess amounts must be declared and taxed)
2. Absolutely Prohibited Items
Firearms, ammunition, restricted knives, flammable and explosive materials
Narcotics, psychotropic substances, and anesthetics
Pornographic, violent, or subversive publications / audio-visual materials / digital content
Cultural relics (without a Chinese export permit), endangered flora and fauna and their products
Fresh / refrigerated meat (beef, pork, poultry, etc.), uninspected animal and plant products (Australian and New Zealand customs are strict; customers often overlook this)
IV. Stay in China and Compliance Reminders
Duration of Stay: Visa-free stay is strictly limited to 30 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, and WhatsApp cannot be accessed directly; It is recommended to prepare a VPN in advance or use Chinese apps (WeChat, Alipay, Baidu Maps)
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 (foreign cards can be linked)
Special Areas: Tibet, parts of Xinjiang, and border ports require a Border Pass or Letter of Entry to Tibet; travel agencies can assist with processing
V. Common Reasons for Entry Denial or Delays (Frequently Encountered by Australian and New Zealand Clients)
Passport validity of less than 6 months or insufficient blank pages
Previous overstay, illegal residence, or unauthorized employment in China
Carrying prohibited items (fresh meat, drugs, pornographic materials)
Inaccurate information on the entry card or contradictory answers during border inspection
Lack of a reasonable itinerary or hotel reservations (subject to random visa-free entry checks)