Visa-Free China: Entry rules for citizens of Uzbekistan in 2026

My name is Dima and I work in an office, usually I plan my trips on my own—without travel agencies or intermediaries. I traveled to China as a tourist: to see the country, visit the Great Wall, and understand how things work on the ground. Already at the preparation stage, it became clear that visa-free entry is not just “arrive and stay.” Length of stay, purpose of travel, documents, and even payment methods matter. To avoid problems before departure or at the border, I figured out how the visa-free regime for citizens of Uzbekistan works in practice and what is actually checked upon entry—and decided to share these nuances.

How visa-free entry to China works

Since 2025, citizens of Uzbekistan can enter China without a visa if the trip is short and has a clear purpose such as tourism or business.

For study, employment, or long-term residence, the visa-free regime does not apply in this case you need a visa, which must be obtained in advance through an embassy.

Length of stay rules are simple:

• Up to 30 days per single trip
• Up to 90 days total within any six-month period

The number of trips does not matter, only the total number of days spent in China is counted.

Example with dates:

• January 1- 30 - 30 days
• February 15 - March 16 - another 30 days
• April 1-30 - another 30 days

Total: 90 days.

On May 1, visa-free entry is no longer allowed the limit is exhausted. You can re-enter later, once enough time has passed and the January days drop out of the six-month window. Then you may use the freed-up days, but no more than 30 at a time.

It is also important not to confuse mainland China with Hong Kong and Macau. Visa-free entry for citizens of Uzbekistan does not apply to them separate visas are required.

Documents checked upon entry

Even under the visa-free regime, border officers may ask about the purpose of your visit and check your readiness to leave China on time. It is important to have the following documents with you:

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months)
• Return ticket
• Proof of accommodation (hotel booking)
• Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement)
• Arrival/Departure (Migration) Card

What is the arrival card and how to fill it out

Upon entering China, citizens of Uzbekistan must fill out a migration card even when entering visa-free.

The migration card is one of the key documents for border control. It is completed upon arrival, before passport control either on paper or at an electronic terminal in the airport.

There is also a website to fill out the arrival card in advance. It is recommended to do this at least 30 minutes before passport control. The paper version is more reliable, as electronic terminals do not always work.

The card includes:

• Purpose of travel
• Address of stay in China
• Length of stay

In practice, the migration card confirms that

• The trip is short-term
• The purpose is permitted
• You do not plan to work, study, or stay beyond the allowed period

How to fill out the arrival card

Use only permitted purposes:

• Tourism for tourist trips
• Business for business purposes

Address of stay:

• Indicate the first hotel or host
• The hotel name and city are sufficient
• Even if you plan to move around, list the first place of accommodation

Phrases like “I don’t know yet” or “I’ll decide on arrival” often trigger additional questions.

Length of stay:

• Indicate a period shorter than the maximum allowed
• Do not write “30 days” if you plan to stay 7–10 days

Do you need to register after entry?

Citizens of Uzbekistan must register at their place of residence within 24 hours after entering China. Failure to register may result in a fine of up to 500 yuan per day (about 882,000 UZS).

Hotels handle registration automatically. If you rent an apartment, the tourist must register independently at a police station or online. Procedures vary by city, so it is best to clarify the rules in advance with official sources or at the border upon entry.

If you change accommodation or re-enter China including via Hong Kong or Macau you must register again.

How to get to China from Tashkent

There are direct flights from Tashkent to China. Most commonly, Uzbekistan Airways, Air China, and China Southern Airlines fly to major cities such as Beijing, Hainan, and Guangzhou.

Direct flights operate regularly. To Beijing, Uzbekistan Airways usually flies on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays; Air China flies several times a week; China Southern Airlines may operate daily or twice a week. One-way fares average 2.6–2.9 million UZS.

Direct flights and charters also operate to Sanya (Hainan Island), usually 1–2 times per week, more frequently in high season. One-way fares typically start from 2.8 million UZS.

Apps you need in China

It’s best to prepare in advance: familiar services do not work in China. Without local apps, you may face difficulties with payments, navigation, and communication. Install and set up these apps before departure:

• WeChat for communication and booking confirmations
• Alipay for payments
• Baidu Maps or Amap for navigation
• DiDi for taxi service
• Translator for menus, signs, and communication

Why you need WeChat and how to install It

In China, WeChat is not just a messenger sit’s a universal service comparable to Yandex: messaging, payments, taxis, and dozens of mini-services inside one app. It’s used to communicate with hotels, show QR codes, and pay for purchases. Without WeChat, everyday tasks are inconvenient.

Install the app from the App Store or Google Play. Registration is done via phone number with SMS verification; sometimes additional verification is required.

WeChat Pay is activated in the Payments/Wallet section. Add a card, enter the details, and confirm with an SMS code from your bank. Once approved, the card appears in the wallet, and you can pay via QR code and use mini-services.

Also note: Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram, and other familiar services are blocked. If you need access, install a VPN before traveling.

How to pay in China

One of the most common mistakes is relying on standard bank cards. China’s payment system works differently.

UnionPay

UnionPay is China’s national payment system the local equivalent of Visa and Mastercard. Its cards are accepted most widely.

• Issued by Uzbek banks such as Ipak Yuli and Kapitalbank
• Suitable for terminal payments and cash withdrawals
• More reliable than international cards, especially outside major cities
• Does not replace QR payments—cafés, taxis, and services often require mobile payments

Visa and Mastercard

• Accepted in limited locations
• Mostly in large hotels and tourist areas
• Usually not accepted in everyday shops, cafés, or taxis
• Not suitable as a primary payment method

Alipay and WeChat Pay

Alipay and WeChat Pay are the main payment methods in China local equivalents of Payme. These QR-code wallets are accepted almost everywhere.

Key points:

• Set up through the Alipay or WeChat app
• Foreign card linking often works
• Mobile payments are accepted in shops, cafés, taxis, and services
• Daily life is inconvenient without them
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Currency exchange and the Yuan rate

For reference, 1 Chinese yuan ≈ 1,700–1,800 UZS, depending on the bank and payment method.

Exchanging cash dollars in China can be challenging. Exchange points are not widespread and are usually located only at major banks. The process takes time and requires a passport. In smaller cities and tourist areas, exchange services may be unavailable.

The easiest option is to exchange currency upon arrival at the airport. Exchange offices are available there, but the rate is usually less favorable.

What happens if you overstay

Overstaying in China is a violation of immigration rules even if it’s just one or two days.

In practice, this may result in a fine (usually up to 500 yuan per day), a record in the immigration system, complications with future travel and visas, and in some cases deportation or a temporary entry ban.

For reference:

Embassy of the PRC in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, 79 Yahyo Gulyamov Street

Tel: +998 71 233-80-88

Key notes

Days, not trips, are counted total time spent in China matters.

• Purpose of travel is critical visa-free entry is only for tourism, business, and transit.
• A return ticket is mandatory without it, boarding may be denied.
• Frequent entries are risky regular trips can lead to refusal at the border.
• The migration card is required even for visa-free entry; errors in purpose or address raise questions.
• Standard bank cards work poorly without Alipay or WeChat Pay, life in China is difficult.

Important

This text is based on the author’s personal experience. Entry and stay rules in China may change, and final decisions are made by border authorities. Before traveling, check the latest requirements on official sources.

Information current as of February 2026.