Do Thai citizens need a visa for China?
No, Thai citizens can visit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Thailand and China have a mutual visa exemption agreement. With an ordinary Thailand 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.
Key facts
- Thailand and China waive visas for each other’s ordinary passport holders, usually for up to 30 days per entry.
- Thailand 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 Thailand passports
Check your trip
Common Thailand itineraries
- Bangkok → Shanghai → Bangkok, 14 daysNo visa
Mutual visa exemption, up to 30 days per entry.
- Bangkok → Beijing → Tokyo, 7 daysNo visa
Mutual visa exemption, up to 30 days per entry.
- Bangkok → Chengdu → Bangkok, 45 daysVisa needed
Longer than 30 days. Every visa-free route is capped at 30 days or less.
- Bangkok → Sanya (Hainan) → Bangkok, 10 daysNo visa
Mutual visa exemption, up to 30 days per entry.
- Bangkok → Shanghai → Bangkok, February 2027, 20 daysNo visa
Mutual visa exemption, up to 30 days per entry.
Frequently asked questions
Do Thai citizens need a visa for China?
No, Thai citizens can visit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days.
How long can Thai 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.
Get an alert when the rules change
We check China’s official announcements every day. Leave your email and we will write once when the rules for Thailand passports change.
One email per rule change. No marketing. Unsubscribe with one click.