Question 1: According to China's mutual visa exemption agreements with relevant countries, an eligible foreign citizen may "stay for no more than 30 days, with the cumulative stay period not exceeding 90 days within any 180-day period." How should these periods be calculated?

Answer: The calculation rules are as follows.

The "180-day period" is calculated separately for each traveler's visa-free stay period in China, counting backward 180 days from any given day since entry. The "90 days" do not include the time spent in China with a visa, residence permit or any other exit-entry document, or an APEC Business Travel Card. If the cumulative visa-free stay period within the 180-day period prior to entry has already reached 90 days, visa-free entry will not be granted; if the cumulative stay period is less than 90 days but the remaining visa-free stay period is less than 30 days, the foreigner concerned cannot overstay the remaining period.

Question 2: If a foreign national has successfully entered China under a mutual visa exemption agreement but subsequently lost his/her passport verified and stamped by a border inspection authority, can he/she leave China with an emergency travel document issued by the embassy of his/her home country in China?

Answer: For a foreigner who has entered China without a visa and needs to exit with a new passport, emergency passport or travel document due to the loss or damage of his/her original identity document, the immigration inspection authority in charge will verify his/her identity, entry record or loss report, and supporting documents from the embassy/consulate of his/her home country. If the aforementioned documents are confirmed to be valid and the foreigner in question has not overstayed, stayed outside the permitted areas or committed any other illegal act, he/she may be allowed to exit according to laws. If he/she has overstayed, stayed outside the permitted areas or committed any other illegal act under the jurisdiction of the immigration inspection authority in charge, the immigration inspection authority will handle the case according to laws and regulations. For other violations beyond the jurisdiction of immigration inspection authorities, the individual must first resolve the matters with the exit-entry administration department of a public security organ or other relevant competent authorities before exiting with necessary documentation through the immigration inspection authority.

Question 3: After a foreign national has entered China under a mutual visa exemption agreement, what should he/she do if he/she needs to extend his/her stay in China beyond the visa-free stay period?

Answer: All foreign citizens having entered China under mutual visa exemption agreements must depart before the end of their visa-free stay periods. For anyone who needs to extend his/her stay period due to emergencies or force majeure, he/she must apply for a stay permit at the exit-entry administration department of the local public security organ before the visa-free period ends.

Question 4: Do foreign citizens from visa-exempt countries need to complete accommodation registration after entering China?

Answer: Article 39 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China stipulates that: 

"For foreigners who stay in hotels in China, the hotels shall register their accommodation in accordance with the regulations on the public security administration of the hotel industry, and submit foreigners' accommodation registration information to the public security organs in the places where the hotels are located. For foreigners who reside or stay in domiciles other than hotels, they or the persons who accommodate them shall, within 24 hours after the foreigners' arrivals, go through the registration formalities at the public security organs in the places of residence."

Therefore, foreign citizens who have entered China under mutual visa exemption agreements must complete accommodation registration as required by this law.

It should be noted that the "Arrival Card" which needs to be filled out upon entry clearly states these requirements in both Chinese and English under "Important Note". Please complete accommodation registration according to these instructions.