Policy Overview

Visitors from 59 designated countries can enter Hainan for tourism, commercial activities and trade, visit and exchange, family reunions, medical treatment, attending exhibitions, taking part in sporting events, and other purposes (excluding long-term work or study) for up to 30 days without a visa. Individuals from these countries can enter Hainan without a visa through various means such as booking through travel agencies, invitation and reception by organizations (institutions, organizations, or entities), or self-declaration (upon arrival at the airport or port of entry in Hainan, individuals can declare their intention to visit and provide any necessary information directly). The scope of activities is limited to Hainan Province, with entry and exit through all open ports in Hainan, and a maximum stay of 30 days.

The 59 designated countries covered by this policy are:

Russia, UK, France, Germany, Norway, Ukraine, Italy, Austria, Finland, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Indonesia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Brunei, UAE, Qatar, Monaco, Belarus

Key Points

1. Duration of Visa-Free Stay: Visitors from the 59 designated countries can only engage in activities within the administrative region of Hainan and are allowed a stay of up to 30 days, starting from midnight on the second day after entry.

2. Work or Study for Visa-Free Entrants: Currently, visa-free entry to Hainan for individuals from the 59 designated countries is limited to tourism, commercial activities and trade, visits and exchanges, family reunions, medical treatment, attending exhibitions, taking part in sporting events, and other purposes. Visa-free entrants are not permitted to work or study.

3. Travel to Mainland or Extended Stay in Hainan Beyond Visa-Free Period: Those wishing to travel to the mainland or extend their stay in Hainan beyond the visa-free period need to apply for a stay permit from the Entry-Exit Administration of public security organs at or above county level in Hainan.

Application Scenarios

Scenario 1: A citizen of the United States, one of the 59 applicable countries, plans to travel to Hainan. However, there are no direct flights from the USA to Hainan. How should they plan their itinerary to enter Hainan under the visa-free policy?

Answer: Since this policy applies only in Hainan, it is recommended that the US citizen fly from the US to Hong Kong and then proceed to Hainan.

Scenario 2: A Russian citizen is entering Hainan for the first time under the 59-country visa-free policy and wants to understand the legal obligations of visa-free visitors in Hainan.

Answer: Visa-free visitors from the 59 countries can stay in Hainan for 30 days and must not exceed the authorized stay period or travel to other areas of the Chinese mainland without approval. They are required to register accommodation with their passports within 24 hours of arrival in Hainan. If they are staying at a hotel (hostel, short-term rental, guesthouse), this will be done on their behalf by the hotel. Those residing at private residences must complete registration themselves online or at the local police station or have their host do it for them.

Scenario 3: An Australian citizen enters Hainan under the visa-free policy and wishes to travel to the Chinese mainland. The Australian citizen wants to know if it’s allowed and what procedures need to be followed.

Answer: After entering Hainan under the 59-country visa-free policy, if the Australian citizen wishes to travel to other areas of the Chinese mainland, they must apply for a stay permit by submitting their intended itinerary to the Entry-Exit Administration of public security organs at or above county level in Hainan. Once a stay permit has been issued, they then may proceed with their onward travel.

Core content

On Dec. 31, 2020, China’s National Development and Reform Commission and the MOFCOM issued the Special Administrative Measures for Foreign Investment Access to Hainan Free Trade Port (Negative List) (2020 Edition). This list specified 27 prohibitions and restrictions for foreign investment in eleven industries, including agriculture, electricity generation, and wholesale and retail sales. All investments not specifically covered in the list are managed under China’s domestic and foreign investment regulations. The current Hainan FTP negative list for foreign investment allows for even greater market access for international investors in the education, value added telecommunications, legal services, and mining industries.

Supporting documents

●Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access in the Hainan Free Trade Port (2020 Edition)（2020-12-31）

Eligible Criteria

In line with the Special Administrative Measures (Negative List) for Foreign Investment Access in the Hainan Free Trade Port (2020 Edition)

Policy Interpretation

●Interpretation of the Conduct the negative list of foreign investment access to Hainan Free Trade Port

Case examples

●Cases-Exemption of Conduct the negative list of foreign investment access to Hainan Free Trade Port

The Responsibility Department

Unit Name

Hainan Provincial Development and Reform Commission

Office Address

Room 835, Hainan Provincial Development and Reform Commission, F8, the Office Building of the People’s Government of Hainan Province, No.9 Guoxing Avenue, Haikou, Hainan Province.

Responsibility Department

Division of Foreign Capital Utilization and Foreign Cooperation

Telephone

0898-65338027

Official Website

https://plan.hainan.gov.cn

Email

wzc_fgw@hainan.gov.cn

12345 – Hainan Provincial Government Service Hotline. Call this number if you have a suggestion or complaint about government services, public transportation, medical care, etc.

12367 – National Immigration Administration Service Hotline. Call if you have enquiries or complaints about immigration-related matters.

12306 – China Railway Service Hotline. Call if you have enquiries about schedules or tickets.

12366 – Tax Service Hotline. Call for enquiries about tax-related matters.

4008-413-413 – Hainan FTP Global Investment Service Hotline. Call for enquiries about doing business and investing in Hainan.

Hainan Foreign Affairs Office – 0898-65316350 (for consular affairs and legalization); 0898-65221675 (for APEC business travel cards and invitation letter for visiting foreign nationals)

Hainan Government Services Portal: https://wssp.hainan.gov.cn/hnwt/home

Haiyiban WeChat Mini-Program: This app allows users to access various Hainan FTP government and public services. It has dedicated functions for overseas users in English. Search “haiyiban” in WeChat to access the mini-program.