China visa-free entry in 2026: who qualifies, for how long, and what changes on 31 December

China has opened up fast. Two years ago most tourists needed a visa. Now a large part of the world can fly in with just a passport. There are three different schemes, though, and they work differently. One of them expires on 31 December 2026 unless it is extended again.

This guide explains each scheme, lists the countries in it, and shows the cases that catch people out. It is based on China's official announcements and up-to-date secondary sources (checked October 2026). Entry rules can change at short notice, so always confirm with the National Immigration Administration or your nearest Chinese embassy before you book flights.

1. The 30-day unilateral visa-free policy

This is the scheme most tourists use. China opened it to ordinary passport holders from these countries on its own, so they don't need any reciprocal agreement. You can stay up to 30 days per visit for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchanges, or transit. You don't apply for anything in advance. You show your passport at the border.

Who qualifies (50 countries): Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Uruguay.

Sweden was added from 10 November 2025, and the UK and Canada from 17 February 2026.

The expiry date matters. In November 2025 China's foreign ministry announced that the policy would run until 31 December 2026. At the time of writing (October 2026), there's no official announcement of what happens after that. The policy has been extended several times before, but if your trip runs into 2027, check the rules again before you fly, and keep the option of applying for a visa open.

Things to know:

• It covers ordinary passports only. The 30 days are counted in calendar days from the day you enter.
• Working, studying or reporting as a journalist is not covered. You need the right visa for those.
• Border officers can ask for proof of your plans, such as a return or onward ticket and where you'll stay. Have them on your phone.

2. Mutual visa exemption (30 days, no end date)

These countries have signed two-way agreements with China, so the exemption doesn't expire on a fixed date. Holders of ordinary passports can stay up to 30 days per visit, with a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period, for tourism, business and family visits.

Who qualifies (29 countries): Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Georgia, Grenada, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Qatar, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Thailand, Tonga, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan.

China has visa agreements with many more countries than this, but for most of them the exemption covers only diplomatic or official passports, not tourists.

3. 240-hour visa-free transit (10 days)

This is the route for travellers whose country isn't on either list above, most notably the United States. It also works for some other nationalities. You can spend up to 240 hours (10 days) in China without a visa if you are travelling on to a third country or region.

Who qualifies (55 countries): Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States.

For six of these, transit is the only visa-free option: the United States, Mexico, Indonesia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Ukraine.

How it works:

• The third-country rule. Your onward ticket must take you somewhere other than where you flew in from. New York → Shanghai → Tokyo works. New York → Shanghai → New York does not.
• Show a confirmed onward ticket leaving within 240 hours, and a passport valid for at least three months.
• Ask for the transit permit on arrival. Use the transit lane or tell the officer you are using 240-hour visa-free transit. You'll get an entry permit for up to 10 days.
• Use designated ports. You must enter and leave through the ports listed for the scheme (65 at the latest count, including the main international airports, and some rail and sea ports). You must stay inside the permitted provinces and regions shown on your permit, though travel between eligible provinces is allowed.
• The clock starts at 00:00 the day after you arrive, according to several sources, but plan with a margin rather than to the hour.

A sample transit trip for a US traveller: fly Los Angeles → Beijing, spend 4 days in Beijing, take the high-speed train to Shanghai for 4 days, then fly Shanghai → Seoul. That's two Chinese cities in 8 days, no visa, and the onward flight goes to a third country.

If you still need a visa

If your passport isn't on any of these lists, or you want to stay longer than 30 days, apply for a tourist (L) visa through the Chinese embassy or visa application centre in your country. Allow several weeks, as requirements and processing times vary by country.

Before you fly: a short checklist

1. Passport validity: at least six months is the safe rule for international travel (three months is the minimum for transit).
2. Re-check the rule for your passport on the National Immigration Administration (en.nia.gov.cn) or your Chinese embassy's website. Do this again if your trip ends after 31 December 2026.
3. Have your bookings on your phone: return or onward flight and first hotel.
4. Sort out payments and data before you land. See our guide to paying in China.

Your visa status, worked out for you

When you order a Nihao Plan guide, we check your passport against these rules for your exact dates. The guide opens with a chapter on your entry options. If your trip ends after a policy's expiry date, the guide flags it and tells you what to confirm before you go.

Frequently asked questions

Do US citizens need a visa for China in 2026?

US citizens are not on the 30-day visa-free list. They can visit for up to 10 days without a visa using 240-hour visa-free transit, as long as they fly on to a third country or region (not back to the US) and enter and leave through designated ports. For a round trip or a stay longer than 10 days, they need a tourist (L) visa.

When does China's 30-day visa-free policy end?

The unilateral 30-day visa-free policy currently runs until 31 December 2026. As of October 2026 there is no official announcement about 2027. Check with the National Immigration Administration or a Chinese embassy if your trip runs past that date.

Can UK and Canadian citizens visit China visa-free?

Yes. The United Kingdom and Canada were added to the unilateral visa-free list from 17 February 2026, so their citizens can stay up to 30 days per visit for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges or transit, currently until 31 December 2026.

Does a flight to Hong Kong count as a third region for 240-hour transit?

The rule requires travel on to a third country or region, which is different from the place you arrived from. Many travellers use Hong Kong or Macao as the onward destination, but confirm your specific itinerary with your airline or the Chinese embassy before you book.

How long can I stay in China without a visa?

Up to 30 days per visit under the unilateral or mutual exemption schemes, or up to 240 hours (10 days) under visa-free transit. Mutual exemption countries also have a limit of 90 days in any 180-day period.