Policy extended through December 31, 2026 · UK & Canada added February 17, 2026 · 48 countries total
Unilateral 30-Day Visa-Free Entry
Europe — 34 Countries
Valid until Dec 31, 2026
Ordinary passport holders from the following European countries can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, or transit.
Andorra
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Montenegro
N. Macedonia
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Policy valid until midnight, December 31, 2026 (Beijing time). Sweden added Nov 10, 2025; UK added Feb 17, 2026.
Asia-Pacific — 4 Countries
Valid until Dec 31, 2026
Visitors from Australia, New Zealand, and Japan can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Australia
New Zealand
Japan
South Korea
Valid until December 31, 2026.
Middle East — 4 Countries
Valid until Dec 31, 2026
Citizens from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days. Originally launched June 9, 2025 — now extended through end of 2026.
Saudi Arabia
Oman
Kuwait
Bahrain
Originally valid June 9, 2025 – June 8, 2026; now extended to December 31, 2026.
Americas — 6 Countries
Valid until Dec 31, 2026
Citizens of South American countries and Canada can visit China visa-free. Originally launched June 1, 2025 — now extended through end of 2026. Canada added February 17, 2026.
Brazil
Argentina
Chile
Peru
Uruguay
Canada
Canada added Feb 17, 2026; all valid until December 31, 2026.
Russia — Special Arrangement
Sep 15, 2025 – Sep 14, 2026
Russian ordinary passport holders can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days under a special bilateral arrangement with a different expiry date.
Russia
Valid September 15, 2025 – September 14, 2026.
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240-Hour (10-day) transit now expanded to 65 ports across 24 provinces · Effective Nov 5, 2025
240-Hour Visa-Free Transit
55 Eligible Countries
If you are from the US, UK, Canada, and 52 other eligible countries, you can enjoy a 10-day (240-hour) visa-free transit in China when travelling to a third destination. You can now cross provinces — for example travelling from Beijing to Xi'an, then to Shanghai.
Newly added ports (Nov 2025): Guangzhou, Zhuhai's Hengqin & Zhongshan, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and West Kowloon Station (Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link). Total: 65 eligible ports in 24 provinces.
Newly added ports (Nov 2025): Guangzhou, Zhuhai's Hengqin & Zhongshan, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and West Kowloon Station (Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link). Total: 65 eligible ports in 24 provinces.
Must hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region.
Transit-Only Countries (No 30-Day Visa-Free Entry)
United States
Albania
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bolivia
Belarus
Czechia
Colombia
Cuba
Ecuador
Egypt
Georgia
Guatemala
Indonesia
Iraq
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Lebanon
Lithuania
Latvia
Libya
Morocco
Moldova
Mexico
Malaysia
Nigeria
Pakistan
Philippines
Paraguay
Qatar
Serbia
Thailand
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Tunisia
Türkiye
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Kosovo
Key Transit Rules
Rule 01
Third Country Required
You must have a confirmed onward ticket to a country other than where you came from.
Rule 02
Cross-Province Travel
You can now travel freely across provinces during your 10-day transit stay.
Rule 03
240 Hours Maximum
Clock starts at midnight the night of your arrival. Plan to depart before the 240 hours expire.
Rule 04
65 Eligible Ports
Enter and exit through any of the 65 designated ports in 24 provincial-level regions.
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What You Need to Enter China Visa-Free
01
Ordinary Passport Only
Visa-free entry applies to ordinary passports only. Diplomatic, service, or special passports require a visa.
02
Passport Validity
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date from China.
03
Return / Onward Ticket
You must show a confirmed return or onward flight ticket. Screenshots are insufficient — carry a printed or downloaded booking confirmation.
04
Accommodation Proof
Hotel booking confirmation may be requested at entry. Hotels automatically register foreign guests with local authorities.
05
Digital Arrival Card
Required since November 2025. Complete it online before your flight for a faster border process, or fill it in at airport kiosks on arrival.
06
Purpose of Visit
Visa-free entry is for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, or transit. Work, study, journalism, or other activities require the appropriate visa.
Important Notes
- 30-day countdown starts at 00:00 on the day after you arrive — not the moment you land.
- Tibet requires a separate Tibet Travel Permit, even if you have visa-free entry to mainland China.
- No extensions are permitted under the visa-free policy. Plan to leave before Day 30.
- If staying with friends or in a private rental (Airbnb), you must register at the nearest PSB within 24 hours of arrival.
- Visa-free travelers can move freely across all of mainland China, including major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, and Guilin.
- Always verify your country's current status at en.nia.gov.cn before booking travel, as policies can change.
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