China Visa-Free Entry 2026: Who Qualifies & How It Works

The short version

There are three separate visa-free channels into China in 2026. Which one applies to you depends on your passport and your itinerary:

Channel	Who	Stay
Unilateral visa-free	38 countries	Up to 30 days
Mutual visa exemption	29 countries	30–90 days depending on agreement
240-hour transit	57 countries	Up to 10 days, transiting to a third country

1. Unilateral visa-free: 38 countries, 30 days

Citizens of these countries can enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for business, tourism, visiting family, exchange visits, or transit. The 30 days count from midnight of the day after arrival.

The 38 countries (per MFA / NIA): France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Note: this list reflects official announcements as of early 2026 and the policy has been extended repeatedly — always double-check the current list before booking. NIA unilateral visa-free list →

2. Mutual visa exemption: 29 countries

China has mutual visa-exemption agreements with 29 countries (as stated by the National Immigration Administration in January 2026). Length of stay varies by agreement — typically 30 days, with some agreements allowing up to 90 days per 180-day period.

Well-known examples include Singapore, Thailand, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Maldives, Belarus, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Mauritius (60 days), Seychelles (30 days), the Bahamas, Grenada, Fiji, Tonga, and Ecuador. The full official list is maintained in China's visa-exemption agreements register — see the NIA briefing (gov.cn) →

Rules differ per country (duration, purpose, entry frequency). If your country is on this list, check the specific agreement before relying on it.

3. 240-hour transit: 57 countries, 10 days

Since 17 December 2024, the transit visa-free period was extended to 240 hours (10 days), and in August 2026 Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam were added to the list.

Who qualifies: citizens of 57 countries (including the UK, USA, Canada, Russia, Brazil, and most of Europe) holding:

• a valid ordinary passport, and
• a connecting ticket with confirmed date and seat, transiting through China to a third country or region

Where: entry and exit through any of 65 open ports across 24 provinces (airports and some sea ports), staying only within the designated region of the province you entered.

What you can do: tourism, business, visits, and family reunions. Work, study, and news reporting still require a visa.

NIA transit visa-free policy page →

Before you fly: the checklist

• Hotel or residence registration: within 24 hours of arrival, your accommodation registers you with local police (hotels do this automatically; if staying privately, register at the local police station).
• Payments: Alipay and WeChat Pay both support foreign cards now — set them up before you land (see our payment guide, coming soon).
• Proof of onward travel: for transit entry, airlines will check your connecting ticket.
• Don't overstay: overstaying visa-free periods carries fines and entry bans. Set a reminder before day 25.

Disclaimer: This guide reflects official announcements available as of 31 August 2026. China's visa policies change frequently. Always confirm with official sources (NIA, MFA, or your nearest Chinese embassy/consulate) or with us before making travel decisions.