China's 30-Day Visa-Free Entry: 5 Things to Check Before You Go This Year

Last November, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended visa-free entry for Korea and 44 other countries through 31 December 2026 — but as of this writing in October 2026, nothing has been announced about what happens after that date. If you're planning a trip to China before year's end, here are five things worth sorting out before you go.

Words · Editorial desk

Starting 30 November 2024, China extended visa-free stays for Korea and 44 other countries from 15 to 30 days. That arrangement was originally due to expire at the end of 2025, but on 3–4 November last year, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a one-year extension through 31 December 2026. It isn't a permanent exemption, though — it's a time-limited measure, and no decision on what comes next has been made public yet. If you're traveling before the end of this year, nothing changes for you; if your trip falls in 2027 or later, it's worth checking the latest official notice before you book.

1. Know exactly what's covered — tourism and business only, and only through this year

Holders of ordinary Korean passports can stay visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family or exchange visits, or transit. Employment, long-term language study, and journalism are excluded and still require the appropriate visa. The other key point is the deadline: the current visa-free policy is set to expire at midnight on 31 December 2026, and as of late October no extension beyond that date has been announced. There's nothing to worry about for a trip this year, but if you're planning one for early next year, check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Chinese embassy's latest notice before you leave.

2. Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay before you leave Korea

Mobile payment, not cash, is the default in China, and Alipay and WeChat Pay are the two apps that matter. Both let you register a foreign-issued Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, or JCB card, but a single payment of 200 yuan or more on a non-UnionPay card carries a 3% fee. Registering a UnionPay card avoids that fee, and if you only have another card type, splitting payments into amounts under 200 yuan works around it too. Both apps require passport verification and identity checks, so it's easier to register them at home before you fly than to scramble on arrival.

3. Local SIM or eSIM? Get your data sorted before you land

You'll need data before you can call a taxi on Didi or find your way with Amap. If your phone supports eSIM, buying a China eSIM before departure and activating it the moment you land is the simplest option; if not, airport carrier counters and convenience stores sell local SIM cards. Prices and data allowances vary a fair bit by carrier and seller, so it's worth comparing at the point of purchase rather than assuming a fixed rate.

4. Three apps worth installing ahead of time — Didi, Amap, and Meituan

Google Maps, Uber, and Korean food-delivery apps barely work in China. In their place, Amap (高德地图) is the standard for directions, Didi (滴滴出行) for calling a ride, and Meituan (美团) for food delivery and finding nearby restaurants. All three default to Chinese, though English interfaces are increasingly available — installing them and setting up an account before you leave saves a lot of fumbling once you're there.

5. How much cash should you carry? Balancing cash and mobile pay

Even with mobile payment everywhere, street food stalls, small markets, and some transport still call for cash occasionally. A common rule of thumb in travel guides is to exchange around 10% of your total budget into yuan cash and cover the rest through Alipay or WeChat Pay. Airport currency counters often offer worse rates, so comparing rates at a Korean bank or exchange app before you leave tends to work out better.

※ Visa-free eligibility and duration, card fees, and exchange rates may change based on Chinese government announcements and financial-institution policy. Check the latest notices from the Chinese embassy or Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs overseas safe travel site (0404.go.kr) before you depart.

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