Visa requirements for Chinese citizens are administrative entry restrictions imposed on citizens of China who hold Mainland passport by the authorities of other states.
As of 2025, Chinese citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 85 countries and territories, ranking the Chinese passport 60th in the world according to the Henley Passport Index.[1]
Historical perspective
Before February 2014, Chinese immigration authorities did not generally allow mainland Chinese citizens to board cruise ships, flights, or go through land border crossings to other countries without having a valid visa for the destination country. This policy applied even if the destination country did not require a visa, or granted a visa on arrival to Chinese passport holders, unless the exit was approved by the Ministry of Public Security.
Exceptions were possible if the traveller had a third country's visa and a connecting flight from the initial destination country to the third country. As of 10June2017,[update] if the destination is a visa-on-arrival or e-visa issuing country this approval is no longer needed.[citation needed]
Visa requirements for Chinese citizens were lifted by:
Electronic visa (outside mainland China): Chinese nationals living in certain countries can apply for an electronic visa valid for a single visit within three months and for a stay of 15 days:[16][17]
Electronic Travel Authorization will only be issued to those who already possess a U.S. or Schengen visa. It must be approved before travel and is valid for tourism purposes.
As of 1 October 2017, visas are issued with a 10-year validity period.
Argentinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website states that visa is required for Chinese citizens visiting Argentina.[28]
Visa valid for up to 90 days can be issued on arrival with evidence of onward tickets or booked hotel. Bolivian embassy in Beijing also confirmed that Chinese nationals can get visa on arrival at airport or land checkpoint on 27 December 2017.[43]
Holders of passports for public affairs do not require a visa.[34]
No transit visa is required if transiting through Calgary, Montreal Trudeau (Air Canada Flights only), Toronto Pearson (Terminal 1 only, cannot change terminal or transit through Terminal 3), Vancouver International or Winnipeg Airports to or from the United States within 24 hours of arrival while holding valid US visa and travelling on flights operated by Air Canada (including subsidiaries Air Canada Rouge and Jazz Air), Air China, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Philippine Airlines, WestJet, or Xiamen Airlines. Need to departure from Beijing, Chengdu, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Harbin, Hong Kong, Manila, Nagoya, Osaka, Seoul, Shanghai, Shenyang, Taipei, Tokyo, or Xiamen if travelling to the United States. Need not to be under a removal or deportation order or staying in the United States longer than the authorized time if leaving the United States.[51]
Visa is not required for permanent residents of the United States.
National visa may be substituted with a visa issued by Canada or the United States which is valid for a minimum of 6 months from the arrival date, or Green Card as of 01.04.2019.
National visa may be substituted with a visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen Area member state or the United States which is valid for a minimum of 180 days from the arrival date.[55]
Holders of valid double or multiple entry Schengen visa, as well as residence permits issued by Schengen Member States are not required to hold a short-stay visa to enter the Republic of Cyprus for a time period that does not exceed 90 days in any 180 day period.[58]
Holders of a visa or permanent residency card issued by Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus and any Schengen Area country can enter visa-free for a maximum stay of 30 days. United Kingdom residents can obtain a Tourist Card on arrival for a maximum stay of 90 days.
Chinese citizens are eligible to apply for e-Visa.
Per IATA, Chinese citizens are eligible to apply for visa on arrival for a maximum stay of one month with a Letter of Guarantee from a local travel agency.
Holders of valid visas or residence permits of EU/EFTA/GCC countries, overseas territories of EU countries (except Anguilla, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha), Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, United Kingdom, or the United States - visa-free for stays of maximum 90 days in a 180-day period. Otherwise, the default 30-day period applies.[66]
National visa may be substituted with a valid visa issued by Canada, the United States, or a Schengen Area member state, or a residence permit of the United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
e-Visa is no longer available due to military tension between China and India.[70]
India announced in April 2022 that all tourism visas issued to Chinese passport holders before the COVID-19 shall remain void, and the issuance of tourism visa was suspended thereafter. Business visa applicants are required to submit unusual supporting documents, such as notarized university degree and notarized Certificate of No Criminal Conviction, and are often rejected arbitrarily.[71]
National visa may be substituted with a valid C visa or visas endorsed with BIVS issued by the United Kingdom until October 2021.[77] Entry is permitted only if a first point of entry to the Common Travel Area was in the UK.[78]
Passengers transiting through Narita or Haneda airport may apply for a shore pass to enter Japan for no more than 72 hours without a visa, subject to the discretion of immigration authorities and certain conditions.
Passengers of approved cruise ships do not require a visa if they stay no longer than 15 days from April 2015.[80][81]
e-Visa is available if residing in Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States. It is a single entry visa and its duration of stay is 90 days.[16]
e-Visa is available if residing in Mongolia. It is a single entry visa and its duration of stay is 90 days. e-Visa application must be made through the travel agencies accredited by the Japanese overseas establishment from 15 December 2023.
e-Visa is also available for Chinese passport holder who resides in Mainland China (except Hong Kong and Macau) only, it is a single entry visa and its duration of stay is 30 days. e-Visa application must be made through the travel agencies accredited by the Japanese overseas establishment from 19 June 2023. The electronic visa will be issued when the agencies are ready to apply through JAPAN e-Visa.[82]
For Chinese citizens residing in other territories, vignette style visa is required. Multi-entry vignette style visas are also obtainable in all territories for 3 or 5 year validity.
Visa can be obtained upon arrival, it will cost a total of 40 JOD, obtainable at most international ports of entry and land border crossings. (except King Hussein/Allenby Bridge)
In the following cases, Chinese nationals can enter Korea without a visa.
Visa is not required for direct or transit visitors to Jeju Island up to 30 days.[87]
Transit to or from third countries such as the United States, Canada, and New Zealand.
Chinese group tourists departing from China (including Hong Kong and Macau) to Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae, Cheongju, Muan, Daegu, and Yangyang International Airport in South Korea, travel within 5 days (10 days at Yangyang Airport) and then transfer to domestic flights in Korea Flight to Jeju Island.
Chinese group tourists departing from China via South Korea to Japan with a Japanese group tourist visa, and Chinese group tourists departing from Japan via South Korea to China or a third country.
Citizens of China arriving through the checkpoint at Manas International Airport can stay visa-free for up to 7 days if they have a voucher (which can be purchased upon arrival at Manas International Airport) with a value of at least USD 500 and a return air ticket to their country of citizenship or to a third country with the right to re-enter visa-free after 21 days from the date of departure;
or with long-term visas (for a period of more than 3 years) of the United States of America, the Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Schengen zone, where they can stay visa-free for 7 days with the right to re-enter visa-free after 21 days from the date of departure.[91]
From July 1st to December 31st, a group of 5 tourists accompanied by a travel agency can enter Laos without a visa for 15 days by arranging their itinerary through a registered travel agency in Laos and applying for visa exemption in advance.
17[Note 1] of the 31 border crossings are only open to visa holders.[92]
It has been reported that the Foreign Ministry of Malaysia will reciprocate China's visa exemption starting on 1 December 2023 until 31 December 2024.[99][100]
Visa-free arrangement for Chinese citizens to enter Malaysia has been extended until the end of 2026.[101]
National visa may be substituted with a valid visa (of any category except transit) or permanent residency issued by Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, United States, or a Schengen Area member state, may enter visa-free for 180 days.
Holders of permanent residency of Chile, Peru, and Colombia may enter visa-free for 180 days.
Note: Temporary residence cards, permits or other documents issued by those countries such as EU temporary residency card, Canadian study/work permit, or U.S. I-20 form, EAD card are NOT accepted for entering Mexico.[103] Only valid visas (of any category, except transit visa) physically affixed in the passport are accepted.
Except for holders of residence permits or valid visas (excluding transit visas), issued by one of the Member States of the European Union or one of the States Parties to the Schengen Agreement, by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Canada which may travel to the Republic of Moldova during their validity. https://mfa.gov.md/en/content/visa-regime-foreigners
Holders of passports for public affairs do not require a visa.[34]
Chinese citizens can apply for a visa online without a need for an invitation letter.[105]
National visa may be substituted with a valid Schengen visa, a valid visa of Australia, Cyprus, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
Also a residence permit in the countries of the Schengen zone, Australia, Cyprus, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the United States of America and the United Kingdom for up to 30 days per stay.[107]
Holders of an Australian Permanent Resident Visa or Resident Return Visa may be granted a New Zealand Resident Visa on arrival permitting indefinite stay (pursuant to the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement), subject to meeting character requirements and obtaining an Electronic Travel Authority prior to departure.[116]
Transit visa not required for passengers flying to or from Australia and remaining airside for no longer than 24 hours.
National visa may be substituted with a valid visa issued by a Schengen Area member state, the United States, Canada or United Kingdom for stays up to 15 days if the visa is valid for at least five days beyond the period of intended stay in North Macedonia. *Holders of passports for public affairs do not require a visa.[34]
Visa exempt if the passport is endorsed "for public affairs".
National visa may be substituted with a valid visa issued by Australia, Canada, the United States, Schengen (need to be valid for 6 months after entry) or the United Kingdom for up to 30 days.
Holders of passports for public affairs do not require a visa.[34]
Nationals of China who have a valid US, Canada, Australia, Schengen Area, or UK visa or permanent resident permit can stay a visa-free up to 180 days for tourist or business purposes. The visa must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the arrival date.[126][127]
On 10 November 2023, the Philippine government announced the full implementation of the eVisa service for Chinese nationals, which is now not only restricted to Shanghai and is available at all Chinese consulates.[128]
On 30 November 2023, the Philippine government suspended eVisa service for PRC nationals for unclear reason.[20]
Holders of a visa issued by Australia, Japan, Canada, USA or Schengen area do not require a visa for stay up to 7 days for tourism purpose.[129]
Although officially no visa is required, at least a Single Entry Schengen visa is required to enter San Marino since it does not have an own airport facility and no border controls.
For tourism purposes only. When entering the country, a paid hotel reservation (Bon-Voucher) and a round-trip flight ticket that matches the duration of the stay in Tunisia is required.[161]
Visa not required if holding a valid Irish visa endorsed with BIVS. Entry permitted only if first point of entry to the Common Travel Area is in Ireland.[167]
Transit visa not required if holding a valid US, Canada, Australia (physical sticker visa required), New Zealand, Ireland (Biometric visas only), and Schengen (D visa or residence permit only) visa or permanent residence permit. Need to depart from or fly to these countries and territories if not remaining airside, either directly or via reasonable routes.
Chinese citizens who do receive a visa are normally issued "120-month multiple-entry combination B1/B2 visas."
However, such B1/B2 visas are limited to "One month single-entry" for Chinese Communist Party members, their spouses and children under 21-year-old.[168]
10-year multiple-entry B visa holders must provide updates through the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) every two years.[169]
National visa may be substituted with a valid visa issued by the United States, Canada or a European Union member state for stays up to 90 days when arriving via Montevideo airport or Montevideo and Colonia ports.
U.S. Green Card Holders need to apply for a visa. Email your closest consulate to confirm.
Holders of passports for public affairs do not require a visa.[34]
Visa is not required for holders of a valid travel documents issued by EU Member and Schengen States, United States of America, Canada, Australia and Japan based on the 1951 Convention on Refugee Status or the 1954 Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons, as well as holders of valid travel documents for foreigners (max. 15 days stay) [176]
Do not need a visa a holder of a valid biometric residence permit issued by one of the Schengen member states or a valid multi-entry Schengen Visa, a holder of a valid Laissez-Passer issued by United Nations Organizations, NATO, OSCE, Council of Europe or European Union a holder of a valid travel documents issued by EU Member and Schengen States, United States of America, Canada, Australia and Japan based on the 1951 Convention on Refugee Status or the 1954 Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons, as well as holders of valid travel documents for foreigners (max. 15 days stay)[177]
Visa not required of cruise ship passengers during the period of the stopover if hold residence permit issued by EU / EEA country, Switzerland, Canada, Japan or USA[190]
Holders of a Canadian photo ID (e.g. a driver's licence, health card, student card, or permanent resident card), traveling directly from Canada, do not require a visa.[192]
Permit issued by the local police required for staying for less than 24 hours[195] and permit issued by the Norwegian police for staying for more than 24 hours.[196]
Holders of a multiple-entry visa issued by Canada, US or the UK is valid for at least 45 days beyond the period of intended stay in Bermuda do not require a visa for three months. Visa free for a maximum stay of three months if transiting through the United Kingdom.
Visa free for cruise ship passengers leaving on the day of arrival.[203] Visa not required for 30 days for holders of a valid multiple-entry visa for the US, UK and/or Canada.[204]
Holders of a valid visa issued by the United Kingdom do not require a visa. Visa not required if holding a Schengen multiple entry visa with a minimum remaining validity of 7 days or visiting on a day trip as part of an organised tour arranged through a Gibraltar-based tour operator.
Mount Athos - Special permit required (4 days: 25 euro for Orthodox visitors, 35 euro for non-Orthodox visitors, 18 euro for students). There is a visitors' quota: maximum 100 Orthodox and 10 non-Orthodox per day and women are not allowed.[234][235]
Kurdistan Region. You can apply for an e-Visa (30 days) to visit the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.[242]
Malaysia. Sabah and Sarawak - Malaysian Visa / eNTRI required. These states have their own immigration authorities but same visa policies applies as West Malaysia. However a single entry Visa / eNTRI is valid for multiple entry/exit between the territories inside Malaysia.[243]
Maldives outside Malé - Permission required. Tourists are generally prohibited from visiting non-resort islands without the express permission of the Government of Maldives.[244]
North Korea outside Pyongyang - Special permit required. People are not allowed to leave the capital city, tourists can only leave the capital with a governmental tourist guide (no independent moving).
Rather than passports, Chinese citizens from mainland China are required to travel to Hong Kong and Macau with an in-lieu travel document named Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau (EEP-HKMO) to align with the position that Hong Kong and Macau are Chinese territories rather than foreign. EEP holders must apply for an endorsement which serves as both the exit permission from mainland China and the de facto visa for Hong Kong or Macau. EEP holders without an endorsement shall be prohibited from departing from mainland China. It is the Immigration in mainland China rather than that in Hong Kong and Macau that is responsible for issuing endorsements.[261]
Chinese passport holders intending to transit via Hong Kong or Macao between mainland China and a foreign third place may travel directly with their Chinese passport without applying for EEP and an endorsement. They are eligible for stay up to 7 days without a (de facto) visa.[261]
Chinese passport holders residing abroad on a long-term basis may apply for a sticker-style HKSAR entry permit[zh] at Chinese missions abroad. The sticker shall allow up to (1) two entries within three months, 30 days stay for each entry; or (2) multiple entries within two years, 14 days stay for each entry.[262] However, there is no similar sticker for Macao.
* Transit between mainland China and a foreign third place for up to 7 days without EEP-HKMO or endorsement. * May enter for 14 or 30 days if in possession of sticker-style entry permit.
Transit between Mainland China and a foreign third place for up to 7 days without EEP-HKMO or endorsement.
Taiwan
Taiwan and mainland China have been under separated governance since 1949, respectively ruled by the Government of the Republic of China and the Government of the People's Republic of China due to the Chinese Civil War. Even though neither party regards the people of the other as foreigner, movement of people between mainland China and Taiwan is subject to immigration restrictions impose by both parties, either for immigrants or visitors. Chinese Mainlanders are subject to Taiwan immigration requirements, and are also subject to Mainland exit permission requirements if they are boarding a ferry or flight directly heading to Taiwan departing from the Mainland.
Exit-related restrictions include:
Rather than Chinese passports, Chinese Government requires Mainlanders to travel to Taiwan with an in-lieu travel document named Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Taiwan (EEP-TW) to align with its sovereignty claim over Taiwan.
EEP-TW holders requires an endorsement (exit permission) or they will be refused exit from mainland China.
Chinese passport holders intending to transit via Taiwan between mainland China and a foreign third place but without an endorsed EEP-TW are usually refused exit, unless they depart from Taiwan Transit Pilot Program cities: Chongqing, Nanchang, and Kunming.[263]
Entry-related restrictions include:
Chinese Mainlanders need Exit & Entry Permit for Taiwan, Republic of China (hereinafter the "Permit") issued by Taiwan Immigration or they will be refused entry. The Permit, when produced, shall be accompanied by a mainland China travel document, either the Chinese passport or EEP-TW, as the case may be.
For Mainlanders residing in the Mainland and applying for the Permit for the purpose of tourism, it's the policy of Taiwan Immigration that the Permit shall not be issued without a valid exit-permission issued by mainland China Immigration.[264] As the Mainland Immigration suspended issuance of such exit-permission since 2019, and the Taiwan Immigration suspended the issuance of the Permit accordingly, Mainlanders residing in Mainland may not travel to Taiwan for the tourism purpose for now.
Chinese passport holders residing in Hong Kong, Macau or a foreign place on a long-term basis may apply directly to the Taiwan Immigration for a Permit. They do not need an EEP-TW or an endorcement (exit permission) to apply for the Permit, and may travel to Taiwan directly from a place other than mainland China.
Exit from China usually refused except for transit through Taiwan departing from certain cities.
EEP-TW and endorcement (exit permission) not required if transiting via Taiwan between mainland China and a foreign third place, and departing from the Mainland cities of Chongqing, Kunming or Nanchang.
Exit & Entry Permit is not required when transiting through sterile area of a Taiwanese airport on the same calendar day.
Exit & Entry Permit is not required when transiting through sterile area of a Taiwanese airport on the same calendar day.
For tourists residing overseas (including Hong Kong and Macau) since September 1, 2023, and medical, business and student purpose permit issuance has been resumed earlier.
Non-ordinary passports
Visa requirements for Chinese citizens holding diplomatic or service passports based on bilateral agreements
People's Republic of China
Visa-free for holders of both diplomatic and service passports
Visa-free for holders of diplomatic passports only
Holders of Chinese diplomatic or official / service passports may enter the following countries without a visa.
1 - Up to 180 days 2 - Up to 90 days 3 - Up to 90 days in a period of 180 days 4 - Up to 60 days
The card must be used in conjunction with a passport and has the following advantages:[266]
No need to apply for a visa or entry permit to APEC countries, as the card is treated as such (except by Canada and United States)
Undertake legitimate business in participating economies
Expedited border crossing in all member economies, including transitional members
The rule is not available among the CHN, HKG, TWN travellers on business
Exit and Entry Permit
A sample of the personal info page of the Entry and Exit Permit for Border Tourism
In addition to passports, Exit and Entry Permit were issued to citizens of the People's Republic of China for visiting certain land neighboring countries for trade, tourism purposes without a passport, and visa to the country of visiting and vice versa under the bilateral agreements.[267] Such permit is issued by the police stations in the related border administrative divisions. By far, travelers from the administrative divisions that share borders with North Korea, Mongolia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, India and Nepal could apply for the Exit-Entry Permit for crossing borders.[268]
Many countries require a minimum number of blank pages to be available in the passport being presented, typically one or two pages.[269] Endorsement pages, which often appear after the visa pages, are not counted as being valid or available.
Some other countries require vaccination only if the passenger is coming from an infected area or has visited one recently or has transited for 12 hours in those countries: Algeria, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Lesotho, Libya, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.[272][273]
Passport validity length
Very few countries, such as Paraguay, just require a valid passport on arrival.
However many countries and groupings now require only an identity card – especially from their neighbours. Other countries may have special bilateral arrangements that depart from the generality of their passport validity length policies to shorten the period of passport validity required for each other's citizens[274][275] or even accept passports that have already expired (but not been cancelled).[276]
Some countries, such as Japan,[277] Ireland and the United Kingdom,[278] require a passport valid throughout the period of the intended stay.
In the absence of specific bilateral agreements, countries requiring passports to be valid for at least 6 more months on arrival include Afghanistan, Algeria, Anguilla, Bahrain,[279] Bhutan, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Curaçao, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Gabon, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel,[280] Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru,[281] Philippines,[282] Qatar, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Vietnam.[283]
Countries requiring passports valid for at least 4 months on arrival include Micronesia and Zambia.
Countries requiring passports with a validity of at least 3 months beyond the date of intended departure include Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Honduras, Montenegro, Nauru, Moldova and New Zealand. Similarly, the EEA countries of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, all European Union countries (except Ireland) together with Switzerland also require 3 months validity beyond the date of the bearer's intended departure unless the bearer is an EEA or Swiss national.
Countries requiring passports valid for at least 3 months on arrival include Albania, North Macedonia, Panama, and Senegal.
Bermuda requires passports to be valid for at least 45 days upon entry.
Countries that require a passport validity of at least one month beyond the date of intended departure include Eritrea, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Macau, the Maldives[284] and South Africa.
Maximum passport age
Countries of the Schengen area require non-EU passports to be less than 10 years old upon entry.[285] A number of holders of British passports, which until September 2018 could be issued with a validity period of up to 10 years and nine months if the previous passport was not expired, were unable to travel to the EU subsequent to Brexit due to this restriction.[286]
Criminal record
Some countries, including Australia, Canada, Fiji, New Zealand and the United States,[287] routinely deny entry to non-citizens who have a criminal record, while others impose restrictions depending on the type of conviction and the length of the sentence.
Persona non grata
The government of a country can declare a diplomat persona non grata, banning them from entering the country or expelling them if they have already entered. In non-diplomatic use, the authorities of a country may also declare a foreigner persona non grata permanently or temporarily, usually because of unlawful activity.[288]
Israeli stamps
Israeli border control Entry Permit (issued as a stand-alone document rather than a stamp affixed in a passport)
Kuwait,[289] Lebanon,[290] Libya,[291] and Yemen[292] do not allow entry to people with passport stamps from Israel or whose passports have either a used or an unused Israeli visa, or where there is evidence of previous travel to Israel such as entry or exit stamps from neighbouring border posts in transit countries such as Jordan and Egypt.
To circumvent this Arab League boycott of Israel, the Israeli immigration services have now mostly ceased to stamp foreign nationals' passports on either entry to or exit from Israel (unless the entry is for some work-related purposes). Since 15 January 2013, Israel no longer stamps foreign passports at Ben Gurion Airport. Passports are still (as of 22June2017[update]) stamped at Erez when passing into and out of Gaza.[citation needed]
Iran refuses admission to holders of passports containing an Israeli visa or stamp that is less than 12 months old.
Several countries mandate that all travellers, or all foreign travellers, be fingerprinted on arrival and will refuse admission to or even arrest travellers who refuse to comply. In some countries, such as the United States, this may apply even to transit passengers who merely wish to change planes rather than go landside.[293]
Fingerprinting countries/regions include Afghanistan,[294][295] Argentina,[296] Brunei, Cambodia,[297] China,[298] Ethiopia,[299] Ghana, Guinea,[300] India, Japan,[301][302] Kenya (both fingerprints and a photo are taken),[303] Malaysia upon entry and departure,[304] Mongolia, Saudi Arabia,[305] Singapore, South Korea,[306] Taiwan, Thailand,[307] Uganda,[308] the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Many countries also require a photo be taken of people entering the country. The United States, which does not fully implement exit control formalities at its land frontiers (although long mandated by its own legislation),[309][310][311] intends to implement facial recognition for passengers departing from international airports to identify people who overstay their visa.[312]
Together with fingerprint and face recognition, iris scanning is one of three biometric identification technologies internationally standardised since 2006 by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for use in e-passports[313] and the United Arab Emirates conducts iris scanning on visitors who need to apply for a visa.[314][315] The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to greatly increase the biometric data it collects at US borders.[316] In 2018, Singapore began trials of iris scanning at three land and maritime immigration checkpoints.[317][318]
↑ Total number includes tourists, business people, students, exchange visitors, temporary workers and families, diplomats and other representatives and all other classes of non-immigrant admissions (I-94).
↑ "eGate". customs.govt.nz. New Zealand Customs Service. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
↑ "Information about: Australian Resident Visa". immigration.govt.nz. Immigration New Zealand. Retrieved 21 May 2020. Australian citizens and permanent residents can visit, work and live in New Zealand. You do not need a visa before you travel to New Zealand.
↑ Division, c=AU;o=Commonwealth of Australia;ou=Department of the Environment and Energy;ou=Australian Antarctic (28 February 2005). "Frequently asked questions". www.heardisland.aq.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
↑ Baker, Vicky (20 June 2013). "Passport expiry dates and blank pages: what are the rules?". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 January 2024. The number of remaining blank pages a passport should have is also an issue. Some travellers have reported arriving with one or less than one full page left and waiting for hours at immigration, until an official reluctantly grants them entry. The FCO lists no hard and fast rules because, in many cases, there aren't any.
↑ "Yellow Fever". Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). African Union. Retrieved 23 August 2021. African countries that requires (sic) Yellow Fever vaccination certificate: Countries that require vaccination for all travellers older that 9 months or 1 year: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameron, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d'lvoire, DRC, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Niger, Togo.
↑ "Fièvre jaune" (in French). 2 September 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
↑ "Yellow Fever". Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). African Union. Retrieved 23 August 2021. African countries that requires Yellow Fever vaccination certificate: Countries that requires (sic) vaccination for travellers from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission or transit for 12 hours in those countries: Algeria, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Lesotho, Libya, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
↑ "Visitor Visa". travel.state.gov. US Department of State. Retrieved 13 January 2024. Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). Each individual who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members listed in your passport.
↑ "Countries whose citizens are allowed to enter Turkey with their expired passports". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Republic of Turkey. Archived from the original on 8 October 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2018. Countries whose citizens are allowed to enter Turkey with their expired passports: 1. Germany – Passports expired within the last year / ID's expired within the last year, 2. Belgium - Passports expired within the last 5 years, 3. France - Passports expired within the last 5 years, 4. Spain - Passports expired within the last 5 years, 5. Switzerland - Passports expired within the last 5 years, 6. Luxemburg - Passports expired within the last 5 years, 7. Portugal - Passports expired within the last 5 years, 8. Bulgaria – Valid ordinary passport
↑ "Frequently Asked Questions". Embassy of Japan in Malaysia. Retrieved 13 January 2024. Q: Do I need at least 6 months passport validity in order to enter Japan? A: Japan does not have any regulations relating to passport validity, so long as your passport will be valid until after you leave Japan.
↑ "Entering the UK". Gov.UK. Retrieved 17 March 2021. You're not from an EEA country: you must have a valid passport to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.
↑ Calder, Simon (24 April 2017). "Airline lobbying for a relaxation of draconian rules for London-Auckland travellers". The Independent. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2018. Travellers heading west from the UK to New Zealand may soon be able to avoid the onerous requirement to clear US border control during the refuelling stop at Los Angeles airport (LAX). Unlike almost every other country in the world, the US insists on a full immigration check even for passengers who simply intend to re-board their plane to continue onwards to a foreign destination. Air New Zealand, which flies daily from Heathrow via Los Angeles to Auckland, says there are currently "strict requirements for travellers" in transit at LAX. Through passengers to Auckland on flight NZ1 or Heathrow on NZ2 must apply in advance for an ESTA (online visa) even though they have no intention of staying in the US. They also have to undergo screening by the Transportation Security Administration.
↑ "China to Start Fingerprinting Foreign Visitors". Air Canada. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2018. Effective April 27, 2018, border control authorities at all of China's ports of entry, including its airports, will start collecting the fingerprints of all foreign visitors aged between 14 and 70. Diplomatic passport holders and beneficiaries of reciprocal agreements are exempted..
↑ "Immigration & Visas FAQs". Kenya Airports Authority. Retrieved 6 May 2019. Will visitors still have their digital photo and fingerprints taken at the immigration desk on arrival? Yes, the need to have photos and fingerprints taken upon arrival is to authenticate that the person who applied for the Visa is the same person at the port of entry
↑ "Malaysia". CountryReports. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
↑ Brown, Theresa Cardinal (9 May 2016). "Biometric Entry-Exit Update: CBP Developing Land Border Process". Bipartisan Policy Center. Retrieved 25 April 2019. While a requirement for a biometric entry-exit system has been in law for over a decade, it is not yet a reality. Many reasons for the long gestating development have been documented in BPC's 2014 report Entry-Exit System: Progress, Challenges, and Outlook, including the technological, operational, and cost challenges of creating exit systems and infrastructure where none exist today. However, many critics, especially in Congress, simply accused the Department of Homeland security of dragging its feet... the major operational, logistical, and technical challenge in implementing exit capability at our ports has been the land borders. Unlike airports and seaports, the land border environment is not physically controlled, there is no means to get advance information on who is arriving, and the sheer volume of travel—both vehicular and pedestrian—creates challenges in any system to not further exacerbate delays. While biometric exit for land vehicular traffic is still in the "what if" stage, CBP is moving ahead and piloting systems and technology to use with the large population of pedestrian crossers at the U.S.-Mexico border.
↑ Lipton, Eric (21 May 2013). "U.S. Quietly Monitors Foreigners' Departures at the Canadian Border". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 April 2019. Long demanded by lawmakers in Congress, it is considered a critical step to developing a coherent program to curb illegal immigration, as historically about 30 percent to 40 percent of illegal immigrants in the United States arrived on tourist visas or other legal means and then never left, according to estimates by Homeland Security officials.
↑ Lipton, Eric (15 December 2006). "Administration to Drop Effort to Track if Visitors Leave". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 April 2019. Efforts to determine whether visitors actually leave have faltered. Departure monitoring would help officials hunt for foreigners who have not left, if necessary. Domestic security officials say, however, it would be too expensive to conduct fingerprint or facial recognition scans for land departures.
↑ "Iris Scanner Could Replace Emirates ID In UAE". SimplyDXB. 11 June 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2018. The breach of privacy is probably the biggest threat to the biometric technique of iris recognition. Secondly, a device error can false reject or false accept the identity which can also have some heinous consequences. Lastly, the method isn't the most cost-effective one. It is complex and therefore expensive. Furthermore, the maintenance of devices and data can also be relatively burdensome. However, thanks to the oil money and spending ability of Dubai, they are economically equipped to effectively embrace this system.
↑ Roberts, Jeff John (12 September 2016). "Homeland Security Plans to Expand Fingerprint and Eye Scanning at Borders". Fortune. Fortune Media IP Limited. Retrieved 24 April 2019. Unlike with documents, it's very hard for a traveler to present a forged copy of a fingerprint or iris. That's why the U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to vastly expand the amount of biometric data it collects at the borders. According to Passcode, a new program will ramp up a process to scan fingers and eyes in order to stop people entering and exiting the country on someone else's passport.
↑ "Singapore tests eye scans at immigration checkpoints". Reuters. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2019. Singapore has started scanning travellers' eyes at some of its border checkpoints, its immigration authority said on Monday, in a trial of expensive technology that could one day replace fingerprint verification.
↑ "Archived copy"(PDF). Archived(PDF) from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
↑ "Archived copy"(PDF). Archived(PDF) from the original on 22 May 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
↑ "Archived copy"(PDF). Archived(PDF) from the original on 29 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
↑ "Archived copy"(PDF). Archived(PDF) from the original on 14 October 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
↑ "Archived copy"(PDF). Archived(PDF) from the original on 22 November 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
↑ "Archived copy"(PDF). Archived(PDF) from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
1British Overseas Territories. 2 These countries span the conventional boundary between Europe and Asia. 3 Partially recognized. 4Unincorporated territory of the United States. 5 Part of the Kingdom of Denmark. 6Egypt spans the boundary between Africa and Asia.
The People's Republic of China passport is a passport issued to citizens of the People's Republic of China for the purpose of international travel, and entitles its bearer to the protection of China's consular officials overseas.
Visa requirements for Polish citizens are public health and administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Poland.
Visa requirements for Canadian citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Canada.
Visa requirements for United States citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states that are imposed on citizens of the United States.
Visa requirements for Romanian citizens are the administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other territories affecting citizens of Romania. As of 2025, Romanian citizens have visa-free or visa on arrival access to 178 countries and territories, ranking the Romanian passport 15th in terms of travel freedom, according to the Henley Passport Index.
Visa requirements for Pakistani citizens are the requirements by other countries to obtain a visa before entry on an ordinary Pakistani Passport.
Visa requirements for Russian citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Russia.
Visa requirements for Indian citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of India.
Visa requirements for British citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of the United Kingdom.
Visa requirements for citizens of the Republic of China (Taiwan) are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on nationals of the Republic of China (Taiwan) who have also established household registration in Taiwan. The law of Taiwan has various distinctions on its nationals' right of abode to its territory for those with or without household registration in Taiwan (NWHR and NWOHR).
Visa requirements for Australian passport holders are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Australia entering with an Australian passport.
Visa requirements for Czech citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of the Czech Republic.
Visa requirements for Dutch citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of the Netherlands, the joint nationality of the four countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
As of 2025, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders have visa-free or visa on arrival access to 171 countries and territories, ranking the passport 18th in the world according to the Henley Passport Index. It is ranked 15th by the Global Passport Power Rank.
Visa requirements for British Nationals (Overseas) are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states and territories placed on British National (Overseas) passport holders. Several million people, the vast majority with a Hong Kong connection, hold this passport.
British Overseas citizenship is a form of British nationality under the British Nationality Act 1983. BOCs are British nationals but do not have the right of abode in the United Kingdom. This citizenship is normally for certain people who retained British nationality after independence, but do not have enough ties with the United Kingdom to be British Citizens.
Visa requirements for Maltese citizens are administrative entry restrictions imposed by the authorities of foreign states on citizens of Malta. As of 2025, Maltese citizens have visa-free or visa on arrival access to 188 countries and territories, ranking the Maltese passport 7th in the world (tied with Polish, and Canadian passport in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.
Any foreign national who wishes to enter Myanmar must obtain a visa unless they are a citizen of one of the designated visa-exempt countries.
A British Overseas Territories citizen holds British nationality by virtue of a connection with a British Overseas Territory.
An electronic visa (E-Visa) and an electronic travel authorization are digital travel permits commonly required in conjunction with a valid passport for entry into specific jurisdictions. These electronic travel documents have gained prominence in the modern era of digital connectivity and streamlined travel processes.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
