Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free Entry: The 61-Country Update for 2026
Hainan's regional visa-free list grew to 61 countries on 20 August 2026. Here is how the 30-day clock, eligible activities, ports and Mainland-China boundary work in practice.
Hainan's regional visa-free policy expanded to 61 eligible countries on 20 August 2026, when Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam were added. It can be a useful way to plan a beach, nature or conference trip, but the word “regional” does the important work: this permission is for Hainan Province, not Mainland China generally.
Who may use it?
The National Immigration Administration's regional-policy page lists the 61 countries and explains that ordinary-passport holders may enter for short-term tourism, business, visits, family visits, medical treatment, exhibitions, sports and similar purposes. Work and study are excluded.
The 20 August NIA announcement confirms that Kyrgyz and Vietnamese ordinary-passport holders are now included and that the list has reached 61 countries. Always check the current list for your own nationality and travel date; a page published for an earlier list may be out of date.
Where can you enter and travel?
Eligible travelers may enter through Hainan's ports open to international travel and stay within Hainan's administrative area for no more than 30 days. Sanya and Haikou are common arrival points, but the right airport depends on the route and final hotel. Keep the first hotel's Chinese name, address and telephone number available for arrival and accommodation registration.
Do not book this policy for a route that continues to another Mainland province. Sanya → Guangzhou, Haikou → Shanghai and a ferry or flight that leaves Hainan are outside a Hainan-only itinerary. If you want both Hainan and the Mainland, test a national visa-free policy, a transit policy or a visa before buying tickets.
How is the stay counted?
The policy allows a maximum of 30 days. The applicable border record and official instructions control the calculation, so do not plan a departure at the last possible hour. Keep a buffer for weather, domestic connections and airport check-in. A visa-free entry also does not remove normal requirements such as a valid passport, truthful purpose and border inspection.
A sensible Hainan plan
Use one base if you want a slower trip: Sanya for beaches and southern attractions, Haikou for a city-and-culture focus, or split the stay only when the transfer is worth the time. Book accommodation that can register foreign guests and keep confirmation details offline. For diving, hiking or rural areas, check local weather and transport rather than assuming every service runs at the same frequency.
Prepare two payment methods, a connectivity backup and a small amount of RMB cash. China’s official visitor guidance on payments and daily services is useful for the practical setup, but it does not replace an immigration decision.
What the policy does not mean
“Visa-free” does not mean “guaranteed entry,” “unlimited activity,” or “permission to work.” Airlines and border officers can request evidence and may refuse entry where legal conditions are not met. If your purpose, passport type or route is unusual, contact the nearest Chinese embassy or NIA 12367 before travel.
Official sources
- NIA: regional visa-free policies and the 61-country Hainan list
- NIA: 20 August 2026 addition of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam
- State Council guide to services for foreign visitors
Last reviewed: 31 August 2026.