Do Austria citizens need a visa for China?
No, Austria citizens can visit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Austria is one of 50 countries on China’s 30-day visa-free list. With an ordinary Austria passport you can stay up to 30 days for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchanges or transit, entering at any port open to foreigners. The policy currently runs until 31 December 2026. You still need a visa to work, study or stay longer.
Key facts
- Austria passport holders can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days per entry, under a policy valid until 31 December 2026.
- Austria passport holders can use China’s 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit when flying on to a third country through one of 65 designated ports.
- Visa-free entry never covers paid work, study or journalism.
- Verified against official Chinese government sources on 29 September 2026.
Visa-free options for Austria passports
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240-hour visa-free transit, step by step
- Hold an ordinary Austria passport valid for at least 3 more months.
- Book a confirmed onward ticket, with date and seat, to a third country or region leaving within 240 hours. Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan count.
- Arrive at one of the 65 designated ports, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing and Xiamen airports.
- Tell the airline at check-in and the border officer on arrival that you are using 240-hour transit, and fill in the arrival card.
- Stay within the permitted areas of the 24 provinces covered. You may leave from a different designated port.
The clock starts at 00:00 on the day after you arrive. A flight back to where you came from does not count as transit.
Frequently asked questions
Do Austria citizens need a visa for China?
No, Austria citizens can visit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days.
How long can Austria citizens stay in China without a visa?
Up to 30 days per entry, counted from 00:00 on the day after you arrive.
Can Austria citizens use 240-hour visa-free transit?
Yes. You need an ordinary Austria passport valid for at least 3 months, and a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region leaving within 240 hours. Enter and leave through any of the 65 designated ports, and stay within the permitted areas of 24 provinces. Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan count as a third region; a flight back to Austria does not.
Can I work in China without a visa?
No. Visa-free entry only covers tourism, business meetings, family visits, exchanges and transit. Paid work needs a Z visa, study an X visa and journalism a J visa.