Malaysians travelling to China as tourists do not need a visa at present. The mutual visa exemption for ordinary passports took effect on 17 July 2025[1]. Rules like this can change, so treat this page as what we found when we checked and confirm it on an official source before you fly.
What the exemption allows
Each stay can last up to 30 days[2]. Your total visa-free time is capped at 90 days within any 180-day period[3]. The exemption lets you enter, exit or transit China for travel without a visa[4].
What it covers and what it does not
Tourism, visiting family or friends and business are covered[5]. Work, study, residence and journalism are not, and they need a visa obtained in advance[6].
Where you will meet it on a trip
You meet it at the airline check-in desk and at immigration on arrival. Officers look at your passport and your purpose of visit. A normal holiday itinerary sits well inside the limits, but a long family visit or a string of trips can cross them.
Tip: write your entry and exit dates in your phone calendar and add up the days. Stays beyond the limits need a visa applied for in advance[7].
Related terms
- Arrival card, the online form to file before you land.
- 240-hour transit, a different scheme for onward travellers.
- Visa-free China for Malaysian passports, our full guide.
- Counting visa-free days across cities, for multi-city routes.