Do Maldives citizens need a visa for China?
No, Maldives citizens can visit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Maldives and China have a mutual visa exemption agreement. With an ordinary Maldives passport you can stay up to 30 days per entry for tourism, business or family visits, entering at any port open to foreigners. You still need a visa to work, study or stay longer.
Visa-free trip plans
- Mutual visa exemption30 days
No visaMaldives → Shanghai → Maldives, 14 days
Usually up to 30 days per entry. Work, study and journalism still need a visa.
Carry printed proof of your onward ticket and hotel. Airlines check before boarding. Official details: news.cn
Key facts
- Maldives and China waive visas for each other’s ordinary passport holders, usually for up to 30 days per entry.
- Maldives is not among the 57 countries eligible for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit.
- Visa-free entry never covers paid work, study or journalism.
- Verified against official Chinese government sources on 29 September 2026.
Visa-free options for Maldives passports
Check your trip
Frequently asked questions
Do Maldives citizens need a visa for China?
No, Maldives citizens can visit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days.
How long can Maldives citizens stay in China without a visa?
Up to 30 days per entry, counted from 00:00 on the day after you arrive.
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.
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