Before visiting China, please check your visa requirements and make sure you have a valid visa. You may also follow the 240-hour visa-free transit policy of China to attend the conference. Details can be found here.
Countries eligible for Visa-exempt entry
To check if you are eligible for the Mutual Visa Exemption program, please visit here here.
To check if you are eligible for being a Visa waiver, please visit here here.
Countries not eligible for Visa-exempt entry:
Option 1: Use the 240-hour visa-free transit policy of China. Visa-Free Transit Policies for Foreign Nationals can be viewed on National Immigration Administration (NIA) website, please visit here.
The NIA of China has implemented the 240-hour (counting from 0:00 AM after the day of arrival) visa-free transit policy at 60 exit-entry ports, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen ports etc. Citizens of 55 countries, who hold valid international travel documents (of which the validity period shall be more than 3 months) and confirmed connecting tickets for flights, trains, or ships departing for third countries/regions (Hong Kong SAR included) within 240 hours after having arrived in China, are eligible to transit through any of the 60 aforementioned ports without visas. Within the stay periods, foreign guests can travel, engage in business activities, visit friends and relatives, and engage in other short-term activities.
For your convenience, some recommended ports of entry in Guangdong Province are as follows:
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Guangzhou Nansha Port and Shenzhen Shekou Port.
Foreign guests can leave China through all open ports that provide passenger transport services in Guangdong province.
Please note that the underlying principle of "TRANSIT" that requires the port of origin before entering mainland China and the destination after leaving mainland China be different. For your reference, our suggested routines are listed below:
Recommended Choice 1: Direct flight to Guangzhou China - Hong Kong SAR (HK) – Country A / B.
1. You fly directly from Country A (e.g., United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, etc.) to Guangzhou for the conference. Afterwards, you take a train from Guangzhou (e.g., from Guangzhou South or East Railway Station) to Hong Kong SAR's West Kowloon Station then board a return flight to Country A from Hong Kong International Airport.
2. You fly directly from Country A to Guangzhou for the conference. Afterwards, you take a ferry from Guangzhou (e.g., from Pazhou Ferry Terminal Guangzhou) to Hong Kong-China Ferry Terminal and board a return flight to Country A from Hong Kong International Airport.
3. You fly directly from Country A to Guangzhou for the conference and then departs from Guangzhou to Country B (e.g., Japan, Korea, or Singapore).
Alternative: You fly from Country A to Guangzhou via Country B (e.g., Japan, Korea, or Singapore), attends the conference, and returns directly to Country A. It is assumed you have a valid entry record for country B prior to arriving in China.
Recommended Choice 2: Flight to HKIA WITHOUT entering HK – Guangzhou – HK -Country A / B.
1. You fly from Country A to Hong Kong International Airport and transfer via SkyPier HKIA to Guangzhou Nansha Port WITHOUT entering Hong Kong SAR (Instruction can be found Here). After the conference, you take a train or a ferry from Guangzhou to Hong Kong then fly back to Country A from Hong Kong International Airport.
2. You fly from Country A to Hong Kong International Airport and transfer directly via SkyPier HKIA to Guangzhou Nansha Port WITHOUT entering Hong Kong SAR. After the conference, you fly from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport to Country B (e.g., Japan, Korea, or Singapore).
Note: Before making decision, please ensure your airline is in the participating list.
Recommended Choice 3: Flight to HKIA and ENTER HK – Guangzhou – Country B.
1. You fly directly from Country A to HKIA and enter Hong Kong SAR then to Guangzhou Nansha Port by ferry. After the conference, you depart from Guangzhou to Country B (e.g., Japan, Korea, or Singapore).
2. You fly directly from Country A to HKIA and enter Hong Kong SAR then to Guangzhou by flight/. After the conference, you depart from Guangzhou to Country B (e.g., Japan, Korea, or Singapore).
Additional notes:
1. For your convenience, ship ticket from Hong Kong Airport SkyPier Terminal to Nansha port can be booked here.
2. For your convenience, train ticket from Guangzhou to Hong Kong (Search: Hkwestkowloon) can be booked here.
- Foreign passengers can purchase real-name tickets with valid passports.
- Online: It usually takes 3-5 business days for Passport/ID validation. Afterwards, you can buy ticket through 12306 APP or official website.
- Offline: You can buy ticket through ticketing counters, in railway stations with your passport.
- Agent: You can buy ticket through Trip.com, etc.. After selecting the ticket you would like to book, please select your ID type and enter your name and ID number. Your name and ID number must match your passport / ID card in order for you to be able to pick up your tickets. To pick up your tickets, please go to a ticket window with the ID and your ticket pick-up code begins with the letter "E."
3. A short interview will be conducted at the port of entry for mainland China, and the officer may verify the tickets (and/or confirmed seats) of arriving and leaving to a third country/region with a date no later than 240 hours after the entry time. Possible proofs include airline tickets, train tickets, ship tickets, order receipts, payment records, etc.
4. The underlying principle of the TRANSIT rule stipulates that a guest enters the port of the third country/region, such that the “Transit” policy is held. The border control officer may use the entry records, and the onward tickets to verify the intent.
5. The guest should not have a Visa rejection stamp from the Chinese authority on the passport. The guest cannot have any record of illegal entry, exit, residence, or employment within the past 5 years in China.
6. It is recommended to have an invitation letter from the ISIT 2026 conference.
Option 2: Except for above scenarios, we suggest you apply for a visa (Visa type: F) in advance. Conference visa must be applied for in advance at a Chinese embassy or consulate.
The Chinese government website provides you detailed information about the visa application process.
To request a visa letter from the ISIT 2026, you MUST follow the instructions below.
1. Invitation letters will only be issued to registered participants with payments, including authors and non-authors. Request a Visa Letter.
2. Get all your materials ready and file your application through the China Visa Application Center.
Important Notice on Visa Policy
All information related to China's visa policy must be subject to the latest regulations published on the official website of the National Immigration Administration (NIA) of the People's Republic of China.
China's visa policies, including application requirements, applicable visa types (e.g., F-visa for academic exchange activities, and regional visa-free policies for eligible countries), may be updated dynamically in accordance with government regulations. Such updates will be first announced on the NIA official website.
To ensure accuracy and avoid application delays, please verify the latest requirements through the following official channels before initiating your visa application:
- English Version: https://en.nia.gov.cn
- Chinese Version (for reference with translation tools): https://www.nia.gov.cn
For some countries/regions, a TE letter is needed for applying a Chinese visa. Please check with the Chinese Embassy/Consulate where you will apply. If it is the case, please fill in the form and prepare all the required documents to be sent to Sue Su ([email protected]), with email subject title "TE letter request - *** (full name of the applicant)". Please be note that once received, it takes at least two weeks to prepare the letter. The deadline for requesting a TE letter is May 15, AoE.
For the most up-to-date details on invitation letter specifications and online application procedures (via the system at http://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/) , please refer to the NIA website and the guidelines of the Chinese embassy/consulate in your country.