Visiting China Visa-Free: A Guide for New Zealand Passport Holders

New Zealand passport holders can now enjoy visa-free travel to China for tourism, business, visiting family and friends, and transit. This new policy makes exploring China's rich culture and stunning landscapes easier than ever.

Here's everything you need to know about visa-free travel to China for New Zealand citizens:

• Effective Date: July 1, 2024  
• Expiry Date: December 31, 2025  
• Maximum Stay: 30 days (from November 30, 2024)  
• Eligible Purposes: Tourism, business, visiting family and friends, transit  
• Entry Points: All ports of entry open to foreign nationals (air, land, or sea)  

In this guide, we'll go over the details that cover all the essential information you need to embark on your Chinese adventure, covering the nuances of visa-free travel, eligible stay types, and situations necessitating a visa application. We'll also introduce the Wise travel card for convenient and cost-effective currency exchange on your travels abroad. Wise offers the mid-market exchange rate with no markups and transparent fees to help save on international transactions.

Visa-Free Travel to China for NZ Citizens: An Overview

In a landmark development aimed at fostering stronger ties and facilitating travel between the two nations, the visa-free policy announced for New Zealand citizens was effective from 1 July 2024. This policy initially permitted New Zealand passport holders to enter China without a visa for stays of up to 15 days for purposes such as tourism, business, visiting family and friends, and transit . This was further extended to a generous 30-day period starting November 30, 2024 . This policy is valid until December 31, 2025.  

This visa-free access extends to all ports of entry open to foreign nationals, be it by air, land, or sea, unless specific laws, regulations, or bilateral agreements dictate otherwise . Furthermore, New Zealand citizens can depart for China from any country or region . Upon arrival in China, travelers will undergo the standard immigration checks by Chinese authorities.  

Types of Visa-Free Stays in China available for NZ Passport Holders

The visa-free policy caters to a variety of travel purposes, ensuring seamless travel experiences for New Zealanders:

Tourism

Imagine traversing the majestic Great Wall, standing in awe of the Terracotta Army, or taking a tranquil cruise down the Li River – all without the need for a visa. The visa-free policy opens up a world of possibilities for New Zealand tourists eager to explore China's diverse landscapes, historical treasures, and vibrant culture .  

Business

For New Zealand business professionals, the visa-free policy streamlines short-term business trips, facilitating meetings, trade activities, and fostering economic collaborations between the two countries .  

To leverage this visa-free option for business travel, New Zealand citizens must fulfill the following criteria:

• Hold a valid New Zealand passport.
• Possess a passport with at least three months of validity remaining after the intended arrival date in China.
• Have obtained an entry stamp from a Chinese visa-issuing agency.
• Have no record of illegal entry, exit, residence, or employment in China within the past five years.
• Have not violated accommodation registration regulations in the past two years.  

Visiting Friends and Relatives

Strengthening personal bonds and fostering cultural exchange, the visa-free policy allows New Zealand citizens to visit their loved ones residing in China, making it easier to connect with family and friends .  

Transit

Those traveling through China en route to a third country can also benefit from visa-free transit options. China offers a 144-hour visa-free transit for eligible travelers, including New Zealand citizens, providing an opportunity to explore select Chinese cities during their layover.  

When NZ Citizens Do Need a Visa for China

While the visa-free policy offers considerable convenience, certain situations still require New Zealand citizens to obtain a visa before entering China:

• Work: If your purpose of travel involves employment in China, you'll need to apply for a work visa (Z visa) . This typically entails securing a job offer from a Chinese employer and obtaining a work permit.
• Study: For academic pursuits exceeding 180 days, an X1 student visa is mandatory . Shorter study programs may qualify for an X2 visa .
• Long-term stay: If you plan to stay in China beyond the 30-day visa-free period, you must apply for a relevant visa based on your purpose of stay.
• Other purposes: Activities such as journalism, religious work, or research may necessitate specific visas.

Essential Travel Tips for New Zealanders travelling to China

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip, keep these essential tips in mind:

• Passport Validity: Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity remaining after your intended departure date from China.
• Blank Passport Pages: Have at least two blank pages in your passport for entry and exit stamps.
• Travel Card: Consider using a travel card such as Wise for convenient and cost-effective currency exchange.

Meet Wise: Travel Card for International Spending

When travelling internationally, managing your finances efficiently is crucial. The Wise travel card is a great option for New Zealanders who want to avoid hefty foreign transaction fees and markups on mid-market exchange rates.

Here are some of its benefits:

• Low Transparent Fees: Wise charges minimal fees for transactions and currency conversions, making it a cost-effective way to spend money abroad.
• Mid-Market Exchange Rates: You'll get the mid-market exchange rate, which is the fairest rate you can get and the one you usually see on Google.
• Multi-currency Account: Hold and manage money in multiple currencies with Wise Account, making it easy to budget and track your spending.  
• Easy to Use: The Wise app allows you to manage your account, track your spending, and top up your card on the go.  

Get Started with Wise 🚀

With its transparent pricing and user-friendly interface, the Wise travel card available for a one-time of NZD 14 can help you make the most of your international travel budget.