Travelling to China in 2025? Here's Why Travel Insurance Matters
China has become an increasingly popular destination for Singaporeans. Thanks to the 30-day visa-free arrangement, planning a trip is easier than ever. But while it’s easy to book your tickets, preparing for the unexpected is just as important.
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Travelling to China in 2025? Here's Why Travel Insurance Matters
China has become an increasingly popular destination for Singaporeans. Thanks to the 30-day visa-free arrangement, planning a trip is easier than ever. But while it’s easy to book your tickets, preparing for the unexpected is just as important.
Get Covered & Go
How Can Travel Insurance Help You?
- 💸 Emergency medical treatment in China
- ✈️ Flight delay due to extreme weather
- 🛏️ If you cancel your trip unexpectedly
- ❌ Delayed or lost baggage
- 🚣 Adventurous sports activities
What to Consider When Choosing a Plan




This way, you will enjoy overseas medical and emergency evacuation benefits for your chronic health conditions, which are typically not covered by travel insurance plans. For Plus and Prestige plans, you will also enjoy coverage for Travel Inconveniences, Hospital Income and other perks.
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📍Visa and entry requirements:
When visiting foreign countries, there are general requirements that all travellers should follow, and China is no different. Here are some travel requirements to observe when planning a trip.
30-day visa-free travel
Singapore and China share a reciprocal visa-free travel arrangement. Under this agreement, Singaporeans can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days. Hence, there is no need to apply for a visa before your trip.
For longer trips
If you’re planning to stay for more than 30 days in China, you will need to apply for a visa. You may do so online over at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre.
Visa fees range from S$80–S$221
Visa fees vary based on stay duration, entry type (single or multiple), and service speed (standard or express). Common visa types include:
- 📚 F-type: exchange, study tours, etc.
- 👨👩👧 Q-type: family visit or reunion
- 🔍 X-type: for purposes of seeking education or study
- ✒️ Z-type: to seek employment
🕵️ Overview of Travel Requirements:
When visiting foreign countries, there are general requirements that all travellers should follow, and China is no different. Here are some travel requirements to observe when planning a trip.

Passport
Have a valid passport in good condition, bearing your recent photo. It should also have at least 6 months’ validity before expiry. Also ensure there are sufficient blank pages for entry and exit stamps.

Onward or return flights
You may be asked to produce proof of onward travel. This means a plane ticket out of China on a future date. If you have a return flight ticket, that will suffice.

Hotel reservations
Have a copy of your hotel reservation ready, in case you’re asked about where you will be staying while in China. If you’re joining a group tour, prepare a copy of the itinerary as well.

Visitor registration
Your hotel will usually handle the registration on your behalf, but if not, you can register yourself at the nearest police station within 24 hours of entering China.

Personal identification
Keep your passport and another personal identification document (NRIC or driver’s license) on you at all times. Digital identification such as SingPass may also be acceptable.

Alipay mobile app
China is by and large a cashless society, so contactless payments will be the most common form of payment available. You can download Alipay to your mobile phone and link a Singapore-issued debit or credit card to pay seamlessly and conveniently.
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Need help understanding travel insurance for your trip?
We know navigating travel insurance can feel confusing—that’s why we’ve answered your most common questions and broken down each key term and benefit, so you can explore the world with clarity and peace of mind.
📘 Glossary of Travel Insurance Terms
Term | What It Means |
---|---|
Premium | The amount you pay to purchase travel insurance coverage. |
Coverage | The protection provided under the travel insurance policy, including medical expenses, trip cancellation, loss of baggage, etc. |
Excess | The amount you will have to pay out-of-pocket towards each separate claim. |
Trip Cancellation | Reimburses non-refundable travel costs if you cancel your trip due to covered events (e.g. illness, injury, catastrophic event, etc.) |
Trip Interruption | Covers irrecoverable pre-paid travel expenses or additional travel costs if you unavoidably have to cut short or change any part of your trip due to covered events. |
Emergency Medical Expenses | Covers medical treatment costs for illness or injury during your trip. |
Emergency Evacuation | Pays for reasonable transportation costs and en-route medical care and supplies if you suffer serious injury or illness and the emergency assistance provider certifies that it is medically necessary to transfer you to the nearest registered medical facility for medical treatment. |
Repatriation | Covers the cost of returning your remains to your home country in the event of death during the trip. |
Loss of Baggage | Compensation for baggage that is lost, stolen, or accidentally damaged during your trip. |
Travel Delay | Pays a cash benefit if the public transport you are scheduled to travel in during your trip is delayed and you are not the cause of the delay. |
Baggage Delay | Pays a cash benefit if your checked-in baggage is delayed, misdirected, or temporarily misplaced by a scheduled carrier at your scheduled destination or upon your return to Singapore. |
Policyholder | The person who purchased the travel insurance policy who is named in the policy schedule and who has made a declaration on behalf of any other traveler covered by the policy. |
Beneficiary | The person who receives the benefit payable under the policy if the policyholder or insured person passes away during the trip. |
Insurer | The insurance company or entity who underwrites the travel insurance policy. |
Pre-existing Medical Condition | Any allergy, injury, symptom, condition, illness, or related complication that existed before the start date of your trip, which is typically excluded from the policy. |
Exclusions | Refers to specific situations or conditions that are not covered by the policy (e.g. war, high-risk activities, pre-existing medical condition). |
Claim | A request submitted by the insured person to the insurer for financial compensation on a covered loss. |
Policy Schedule | The document which gives details of the cover you have. |
This product is underwritten by Singapore Life Ltd. Singsaver cannot give advice, recommend any product or arrange any insurance contract. Please direct all enquiries to Singapore Life Ltd. Singsaver receives remuneration as an Introducer for Singapore Life Ltd. T&Cs apply. Protected up to specified limits by SDIC.
What are the China COVID-19 rules in 2025?
China does not have any special COVID-19 rules in 2025. Travellers may enter the country without testing, quarantine, proof of vaccination, or other requirements.
Do I need insurance to travel to China?
China does not require travellers to have travel insurance when visiting. Nonetheless, it is a good idea to purchase a suitable travel policy in case of medical emergencies, accidents, flight cancellations or other travel mishaps.
Travel insurance for China not only provides essential coverage, it also offers assistance and guidance in a crisis to help you find your way safely back to Singapore.
Do Singaporeans need a visa to China?
Singaporeans visiting China for 30 days or fewer do not need a visa.
For other purposes and/or longer visits, please apply for the relevant visa online.