Most international participants should determine whether they need a visa to enter mainland China before travel. China maintains visa-exemption arrangements for certain nationalities and passport types; eligibility and permitted activities vary. If you are not eligible for visa-free entry, please apply in advance through the official Chinese visa application system or the designated Chinese Visa Application Service Center in your country or region.

For attendance at a non-commercial academic or professional conference, the appropriate category is commonly an F visa (for exchanges, visits, study tours and other relevant non-commercial activities). The Chinese Embassy, Consulate, or Visa Application Service Center will decide the appropriate visa category and required documents for each applicant.

- Check the current entry requirements and visa-free eligibility for your nationality through the official links in this guide.

- Use the China Online VISA Application portal to select your place of application, complete the online application and follow the instructions for document upload, appointment or submission.

- Prepare the documents required by the Chinese Embassy, Consulate, or Visa Application Service Center responsible for your place of residence.

- Attend any required appointment or biometrics collection and submit your application as instructed. Do not travel until your passport and any required visa have been returned to you.

- Requirements differ by country and individual circumstances. Applicants may be asked for the following:

- A passport valid for at least six months beyond the planned date of entry, with adequate blank visa pages.

- A completed visa application form and a recent passport-style photograph, submitted in the format required by the application system.

- An APAC2027 invitation letter stating the participant’s name, passport number (if requested), conference title, dates, venue/city, purpose of visit, and the organizer’s contact details.

- Travel itinerary, accommodation details, proof of lawful residence in the place of application, and any additional documents requested by the relevant Chinese mission or Visa Application Service Center.

- The APAC2027 Organizing Committee will provide a conference invitation letter for eligible registered participants who require it for a visa application. The letter is intended solely to confirm participation in the conference and does not guarantee visa issuance, admission to China, financial support, or responsibility for travel expenses.

- Invitation-letter request procedure:

Complete conference registration and any applicable registration payment.

Submit the invitation-letter request by contacting the Secretariat at apac_2027@outlook.com.

Provide the information requested by the Secretariat exactly as it appears in your passport.

If the Chinese Embassy or Consulate requests a specific form or supporting document, send the request to the Secretariat as early as possible. The Secretariat can only provide conference-related documentation within its authority.

China offers a range of visa-free entry and transit arrangements for eligible foreign nationals. Visa-free entry and visa-free transit are different policies and have different eligibility requirements. Participants should carefully check which policy applies to their nationality and travel itinerary.

As immigration policies may be updated before APAC 2027, participants are strongly advised to check the latest requirements with the National Immigration Administration of China (NIA) or the relevant Chinese embassy or consulate before travelling.

Visa Free Entry

Under China's current unilateral visa exemption policy, ordinary-passport holders from certain countries may enter China without a visa for eligible purposes, including business, tourism, visits to relatives and friends, exchange visits, and transit, for stays of up to 30 days.

Europe (35): Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Asia (7): Bahrain, Brunei, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, the Republic of Korea, and Saudi Arabia.

Oceania (2): Australia and New Zealand.

Americas (6): Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay.

As APAC 2027 will be held from 19-22 October 2027, participants should check the policies in effect at the time of travel rather than rely on arrangements currently applicable in 2026.

240 Hour Visa Free Transit

The 240-hour visa-free transit policy is different from visa-free entry. It is intended for eligible foreign nationals transiting through China on their way to a third country or region.

As of 20 August 2026, nationals of 57 countries are eligible for the policy. Eligible travellers holding ordinary passports and confirmed onward tickets may enter through designated ports and remain within the permitted areas for up to 240 hours.

The 57 eligible countries currently include:

Europe (40): Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

North America (2): Canada and the United States.

South America (4): Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico.

Oceania (2): Australia and New Zealand.

Asia (9): Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.

Importantly, the 240-hour policy applies to transit to a third country or region and should not be regarded as ordinary visa-free entry. Participants intending to use this arrangement should ensure that their complete itinerary satisfies the applicable requirements.