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Xiamen Entry Requirements

Xiamen Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Government Travel Advisories
Verified 2026-10-01
Before you travel: official formalities

  • China online arrival card

    Who
    Foreign nationals entering China; optional, since paper arrival cards remain available at ports
    When
    Online before travel, or on arrival
    Cost
    Free

    China's National Immigration Administration introduced online arrival card filling on 20 November 2025. It is free of charge, and paper arrival cards remain available at the ports.

    Official site
    Checked against the official source 2026-09-26
Entering Xiamen means clearing standard Chinese immigration. You need a passport valid six months past your departure date, plus a visa or visa exemption for most visitors. Officers at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport check documents and ask about your trip. Entry rules shift. Check official sources before flying. Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport is the main international gateway. You queue for an officer who stamps your passport. China rolled out an optional online arrival card in late 2025. Fill it out beforehand to save minutes, though paper forms still exist. Keep documents organized. The process moves faster. Confirm your visa status before departure. Eligibility and permitted stay vary by nationality. Some travelers enter visa-free for short visits. Others apply in advance. This gives you a sense of preparation. The official government immigration website holds the current rules for your passport.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Visa policy for Xiamen follows China's national regulations. Your nationality, passport type, and stay length determine requirements. The categories below sketch the framework. Verify your status through official channels. Bilateral agreements change.

Visa-Free Entry
Stays range from 15 to 90 days. The specific bilateral agreement sets the limit.

Nationals of certain countries enter Xiamen for tourism or business without advance visas. Short stays only.

Includes
Singapore Brunei Japan

Conditions apply. You need an ordinary passport. Entry purposes include tourism or business. Overstaying triggers fines. Confirm current agreements for your nationality before booking.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa)
Not applicable.

China offers no general electronic travel authorization or eVisa for Xiamen tourist visits. Most nationalities outside visa-free lists apply for standard visas.

How to Apply: Not applicable.
Cost: Not applicable.

Check the official visa process. Apply at a Chinese embassy, consulate, or authorized service center.

Visa Required
A standard single-entry tourist visa (L visa) typically permits 30 days from entry. Consular officers set final validity and duration.

This category covers most Xiamen visitors. Obtain your visa from a Chinese diplomatic mission before arrival.

How to Apply: Submit your application form, passport, photo, and supporting documents (flight itineraries, hotel bookings) to a Chinese embassy or consulate in your country. Processing takes four to five business days. Some locations offer expedited service.

Requirements and fees differ between consulates. Apply well ahead of your Xiamen trip. Verify your visa type matches your travel purpose.

Arrival Process

Follow signs to immigration after landing at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport. The process runs systematically. Staff direct foreign passport holders to designated lines.

1
Arrival and Queue
Head to the immigration hall after disembarking. Find counters marked 'Foreigners' or 'All Passports'. Peak times mean longer waits.
2
Document Check
Hand over your passport, completed arrival card (paper or online confirmation), and visa or entry permit.
3
Interview
Officers may ask basic questions. Expect queries about your purpose, accommodation, and length of stay in China.
4
Passport Stamping
The officer stamps your passport with an entry permit showing date and allowed duration. Check this before walking away.
5
Baggage Claim and Customs
Collect checked luggage after immigration. Pass through customs inspection. Submit your declaration form if carrying items to declare.

Documents to Have Ready

Passport
Required for everyone. Valid six months beyond your planned China departure. Needs at least one blank visa page.
Chinese Visa
Required for most nationalities outside visa-free entry. Must be valid and correct type (L for tourism) for your Xiamen visit.
Arrival Card
Required for all foreign nationals. Use the paper form from your flight or airport, or complete the online version beforehand via the National Immigration Administration website.
Proof of Onward Travel
Immigration may request proof of onward travel. Keep your flight itinerary printed or digitally accessible.
Proof of Accommodation
Officers might ask for hotel confirmations or your Xiamen host's contact details.

Tips for Smooth Entry

Complete your arrival card neatly before reaching the officer. Delays happen otherwise. With the online option, have your QR code or printout visible.
Retain any immigration stub stapled into your passport. Hotels or exit procedures may require it.
Answer clearly and simply. Ask politely for clarification if confused.

Customs & Duty-Free

Chinese customs rules are strict. Declare certain items when entering Xiamen. Others are prohibited. Guidelines below are general. Limits can change.

Alcohol
Up to 1.5 liters of alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content above 12%.
Travelers must be 16 years or older to import alcohol.
Tobacco
Up to 400 cigarettes, or 100 cigars, or 500 grams of tobacco.
Travelers must be 16 years or older.
Currency
You can bring 20,000 Chinese Yuan (CNY) in cash. Or up to $5,000 USD equivalent. No forms needed.
Exceed these limits? Declare it. Both ways. Use the customs form.
Gifts/Goods
Personal items stay duty-free. Gifts or new goods over 5,000 CNY face possible charges.
This rule skips prohibited items. Restricted goods too. Commercial imports as well.

Prohibited Items

  • Weapons, ammunition, and explosives of any kind
  • Narcotics and illegal drugs
  • Pornographic materials
  • Counterfeit currency or goods
  • Leave the subversive stuff home. Printed materials count. So do audio and video files.

Restricted Items

  • Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and dairy need inspection. Some regions face outright bans.
  • Pack medicines in original bottles. Bring the doctor's prescription. No exceptions.
  • Cultural relics need export papers. Get them from Chinese cultural authorities first.
  • Radio transmitters need prior approval. Some telecom gear does too.

Health Requirements

Xiamen has few mandatory health rules. Take sensible precautions anyway. Stay comfortable. Stay safe.

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Keep routine shots current. MMR. Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis. Varicella. Polio. Influenza.
  • Hepatitis An and Typhoid (due to potential for contaminated food or water)
  • Hepatitis B ( for longer stays or medical procedures)

Health Insurance

Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Check the current entry rules on the official government website before you travel. Get it anyway. Foreigner medical care costs plenty. Evacuation coverage helps.

Current Health Requirements: No health documents needed for most travelers. Coming from a yellow fever zone? Bring your vaccination certificate. Check current advisories before you fly. Try China's health authority. Or your own government's travel site.

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Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate
Lost your passport? Legal trouble? Emergency? Call your embassy or consulate. Most sit in Beijing. Some keep offices in Shanghai or Guangzhou.
Find embassy contacts on your government's official travel advisory website.
Immigration Authority
China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) runs visa and entry rules. They handle the online arrival card too.
Check their official website for current procedures. Policy updates appear there first.
Emergency
In Xiamen, dial 110 for police. Dial 120 for ambulance. Dial 119 for fire.
English operators may not answer. Ask your hotel concierge to help. Or a local friend.

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Every child needs a passport. Visa too, if required. One parent traveling alone? Bring a notarized consent letter from the other parent. Both absent? Get letters from both. Check current rules with the Chinese embassy when applying.

Traveling with Pets

Bringing pets to Xiamen takes work. Dogs and cats face strict quarantine. You need a microchip. Rabies papers. A health certificate from your home country's animal authority. Advance customs approval too. Quarantine lasts up to 30 days. Start months early. The process is complex.

Extended Stays

Want to stay longer? Apply for a visa extension at Xiamen's Exit-Entry Administration bureau. Do it before your permit expires. Extensions are not automatic. Family emergencies or illness may qualify. Overstay and pay fines. You risk detention. You risk future bans. Long-term stays need proper residence permits. Arrange these before arrival.

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