China visa options for Netherlands passport holders

Visa types & longer-stay routes for China

Rules are written for foreign nationals holding ordinary passports. Visa-free and transit eligibility depend on your specific nationality appearing on China's published country lists (which change frequently), and Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan have entirely separate entry rules from the mainland.

• Most nomadsTourist

  Visa-free short stay (unilateral 30-day policy)

  Up to 30 days per entry. The policy currently runs through 31 Dec 2026; extensions ARE possible at the local Public Security Bureau for justified reasons (apply before your permit expires) - verify your nationality is listed.

  Insurance

  RecommendedChina imposes NO insurance mandate for visa-free entry, but travel/medical cover (commonly ~US$30,000+ medical) is strongly advised, as there is no reciprocal healthcare and hospitals usually require upfront payment.

  Good for

  Ordinary-passport holders of the ~50 nationalities on China's unilateral visa-free list (most of the EU, UK and Canada from 17 Feb 2026, Switzerland, Australia, NZ, Japan, South Korea and others) coming for business, tourism, family/friend visits, exchanges or transit.

  Requirement

  Eligible nationality on the published list, ordinary passport with 6+ months validity, entering for an approved short-stay purpose (business, tourism, family/friend visit, exchange or transit). No visa needed.

• Tourist

  L visa (tourist)

  Typically ~30 days per entry; some nationalities (e.g. US, Canada) can receive up to 10-year multi-entry visas with stays of up to ~60 days per visit. Validity, entries and per-stay length vary by nationality - verify.

  Insurance

  Recommendednot officially required for the L visa, but travel medical insurance is strongly advised.

  Good for

  Travellers from nationalities not covered by visa-free entry, or anyone wanting a longer or multi-entry tourist stay for sightseeing or visiting friends/relatives.

  Requirement

  Apply in advance at a Chinese embassy/consulate or visa centre with passport, photo, itinerary/accommodation and (often) flight bookings.

• Business

  M visa (business / trade)

  Commonly up to ~90 days per entry; single, double or multiple-entry validity (up to 10 years for some nationalities such as US/Canada) varies by nationality - verify.

  Insurance

  Recommendednot officially mandated; business travellers are advised to hold travel medical insurance.

  Good for

  Business travellers attending meetings, conferences, trade fairs or conducting commercial activities - not paid local employment.

  Requirement

  Invitation letter from a Chinese company/trade partner plus standard application documents; does not authorise employment (no work permit).

• Work

  Z visa (work) + Foreigner's Work Permit & Residence Permit

  Z visa is normally single-entry, valid ~30 days for entry; you then obtain a Residence Permit (commonly 1-5 years) tied to your employment.

  Insurance

  Requiredish - employers must enrol foreign employees in China's mandatory state social insurance (pension, medical, unemployment, work-injury, maternity). Category A high-talent may, under some agreements, substitute equivalent international commercial cover; many employers also arrange private health insurance. Confirm obligations locally.

  Good for

  Foreigners taking up paid employment in China; the Z visa is the entry document that converts to a work permit and residence permit after arrival.

  Requirement

  Job offer from a licensed Chinese employer, Foreigner's Work Permit Notice (Class A high-talent / B professional / C other - A and B often have salary thresholds), then convert to work + residence permit within ~30 days of arrival (medical exam, registration).

• Work

  K visa (young science & technology talent)

  Intended to be more generous than other categories on number of entries, validity and length of stay, but exact figures are not yet published in official rules - verify current implementing guidance.

  Insurance

  Requiredno insurance requirement is specified in the official announcements; private medical cover is advised (and mandatory state social insurance applies if you take up local employment).

  Good for

  Young foreign STEM talent - holders of at least a bachelor's degree in a science/technology field from a recognised university or research institution, or those engaged in relevant teaching/research. NOT a general digital-nomad or remote-work visa.

  Requirement

  Effective 1 Oct 2025. Unlike the Z visa, NO Chinese employer or inviting entity is required at the application stage; permits education, research, cultural exchange, entrepreneurship and business activities. Taking up paid local employment still requires the relevant work authorisation.

• Study

  X1 / X2 visa (student)

  X1: long-term study, converts to a Residence Permit after arrival (validity up to ~5 years, often multi-entry). X2: single stay of up to 180 days.

  Insurance

  Requiredtypically - many Chinese universities require enrolled international students to hold approved comprehensive medical insurance as a condition of registration; confirm the exact policy with your institution.

  Good for

  International students: X1 for long-term programmes over 180 days; X2 for short courses of 180 days or less.

  Requirement

  Admission/enrolment documents from a recognised Chinese institution (admission notice plus JW201 form for government-scholarship students or JW202 for self-funded students) and a Foreigner Physical Examination Form; X1 holders register for a residence permit within ~30 days of arrival.

• Residence

  Q1 / Q2 visa (family reunion)

  Q1: for stays over 180 days - convert to a Residence Permit within ~30 days of entry (commonly 1-5 years). Q2: short visits of up to 180 days.

  Insurance

  Recommendedno formal insurance mandate; private health cover is advised for long stays.

  Good for

  Relatives of Chinese citizens or of foreigners holding Chinese permanent residence: Q1 for long-term family reunion/cohabitation, Q2 for short visits.

  Requirement

  Proof of family relationship plus an invitation from the qualifying relative or permanent-resident holder in China.

• Residence

  Permanent residence (Foreigner's Permanent Resident ID Card / China 'green card', via D visa)

  Permanent status. The D visa is only the entry vehicle; on arrival you receive the Foreigner's Permanent Resident ID Card ('Five-Star Card'), valid 10 years for adults (5 years if under 18) and renewable.

  Insurance

  Recommendedpermanent residents can enrol in local social/medical insurance (and must if employed); private cover is advised. Verify current rules for your category.

  Good for

  Foreigners granted Chinese permanent residence - high-level talent, significant investors, long-married spouses of Chinese citizens, or those with long-term service/major contributions. Granted in limited numbers.

  Requirement

  Meet one of China's strict permanent-residence tracks (talent/professional with high salary and tax, investment of ~US$500k-2m held 3+ years, spouse of 5+ years' marriage and residence, or long-service), clean criminal record and health check; approval is discretionary.

• Transit

  240-hour visa-free transit (10-day)

  Up to 240 hours (10 days) within the eligible regional zone; you must depart to a third country/region within that window.

  Insurance

  Recommendedno formal insurance requirement for transit, but short-term travel medical cover is advised.

  Good for

  Ordinary-passport holders of 55 listed countries transiting through China to a third country/region, entering at one of 65 designated air, land or sea ports across 24 provinces, regions and municipalities.

  Requirement

  Confirmed onward ticket to a third country/region departing within 240 hours, passport with ~3+ months validity, entry via a designated port; movement limited to the permitted province/region zone.

General guidance only, not immigration or insurance advice; verify your nationality against China's current published lists and official consulate guidance before you travel. Last checked: 2026-06.

Last verified June 2026

Netherlands → China: frequently asked

Do Netherlands passport holders need a visa to visit China?

Visa-free · up to 30 days. Enter without a visa, usually for a set number of days. Always confirm with the official source before booking.

Can a Netherlands passport holder live or work long-term in China?

Yes, via a long-stay visa. China has 9 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.

Do I need travel insurance for China?

Entry to China never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended. Several China visas also require proof of insurance before they're granted.