Do Filipino citizens need a visa for China?
Yes, for most trips. Filipino citizens can skip the visa only if they fly into Hainan and stay there, for up to 30 days.
Philippines is not on China’s 30-day visa-free list, so a normal round trip needs a visa. Philippines passports can use Hainan’s 30-day visa-free entry, which cover specific itineraries only.
Key facts
- Philippines is not on China’s 30-day visa-free list and has no mutual visa exemption with China.
- Philippines is not among the 57 countries eligible for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit.
- Philippines is one of 61 countries that can visit Hainan Province visa-free for up to 30 days.
- Visa-free entry never covers paid work, study or journalism.
- Verified against official Chinese government sources on 29 September 2026.
Visa-free options for Philippines passports
Check your trip
Hainan 30-day visa-free
Fly directly into a Hainan port such as Sanya or Haikou and you can stay up to 30 days, as long as you do not leave Hainan Province. Travelling on to the mainland needs a visa or another visa-free route.
If you need a visa
- L tourism · M business · Q/S visiting family · Z work · X study
- Apply online, then submit at a Chinese visa application centre. Allow about 1 to 2 weeks.
- Bring a passport valid for at least 6 months with blank pages, a photo, and your flight and hotel bookings.
Frequently asked questions
Do Filipino citizens need a visa for China?
Yes, for most trips. Filipino citizens can skip the visa only if they fly into Hainan and stay there, for up to 30 days.
How long can Filipino citizens stay in China without a visa?
Up to 30 days, and only if you enter and stay in Hainan. Any other trip needs a visa.
Which visa do Filipino citizens need for a trip to China?
An L visa for tourism, an M visa for business, a Q or S visa to visit family, a Z visa for work and an X visa for study.
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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