New Zealand passport to China
New Zealand citizens don't need a visa to visit China for up to 30 days, for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchanges or transit. This scheme runs until 31 December 2026.
Changing. China's visa-free scheme for New Zealand citizens is set to end on 31 December 2026.
China hasn't said whether this will be extended. If it isn't, you'll need a visa from 1 January 2027.
The rules
- What you need
- No visa
- Other options
- To stay longer than 30 days, or to work, study or report as a journalist, get a visa before you travel.
- How long you can stay
- Up to 30 days per visit, counted from the day after you arrive. You can enter more than once.
- Your passport
- Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the day you arrive. Most governments advise this for China; China's embassies only ask for it to last your stay, so the longer rule is safer.
- Arrival card
- Foreigner arrival card. Fill in an arrival card. You can do it online before you travel, which is free, or on paper or a machine at the border. Official site
Quick answers
Do New Zealand citizens need a visa for China?
No. New Zealand citizens don't need a visa to visit China for up to 30 days, for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchanges or transit. This scheme runs until 31 December 2026.
How long can New Zealand citizens stay in China?
Up to 30 days per visit, counted from the day after you arrive. You can enter more than once.
How long does my passport need to be valid for China?
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the day you arrive. Most governments advise this for China; China's embassies only ask for it to last your stay, so the longer rule is safer.
Do I need an arrival card for China?
Yes. Fill in an arrival card. You can do it online before you travel, which is free, or on paper or a machine at the border.
Are the rules for China changing?
China's visa-free scheme for New Zealand citizens is set to end on 31 December 2026. China hasn't said whether this will be extended. If it isn't, you'll need a visa from 1 January 2027.
Good to know
Visa-free entry ends 31 December 2026. China's 30-day visa-free scheme is set to end on 31 December 2026. If you're travelling in 2027, check again before you book.
Fingerprints at the border. Border officers may scan your fingerprints and take your photo when you arrive. Canada says this applies to visitors aged 14 to 70.
Register where you stay. Hotels register you with the police automatically. If you stay in a private home, you or your host must register within 24 hours of arriving. You can do this online through the NIA 12367 app.
Fake arrival card sites. The online arrival card is free on the official site, s.nia.gov.cn, and in the NIA 12367 app. Fake sites charge a fee.
Checked 26 October 2026 against Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Australia, Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the UK, National Immigration Administration of China and SafeTravel.
See the 6 official sources
- FAQs on Visa-free Entry into China (Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Australia)
- Notice on the Extension of the Unilateral Visa-Free Policy (Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the UK)
- List of Countries Covered by Unilateral Visa Exemption Policies (National Immigration Administration of China)
- Notice on Implementation of Online Filling of Arrival Card (Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Australia)
- Beware of Fraudulent Websites for Arrival Card Filling (National Immigration Administration of China)
- China (SafeTravel (New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade))