Which countries can enter China visa-free in 2026?

Over 50 countries qualify for 30-day visa-free entry, including UK, Canada, France, Germany, Australia, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, and more. The policy is valid until December 31, 2026.

How long can I stay in China without a visa?

Citizens of eligible countries can stay up to 30 days under the standard visa-free policy. The 240-hour (10-day) transit policy applies to citizens of 55 countries passing through China en route to a third destination.

Does Hong Kong count as China for visa purposes?

No. Hong Kong has its own immigration system, separate from mainland China. Entering Hong Kong does not use your mainland China visa-free allowance.

China Visa-Free Entry in 2026: 30-Day Policy and 240-Hour Transit Explained

Two Ways to Enter China Without a Visa

China currently offers two visa-free pathways for foreign visitors:

30-Day Visa-Free Entry — for citizens of specific countries, valid until December 31, 2026
240-Hour (10-Day) Transit Visa-Free — for citizens of 55 countries passing through China en route to a third destination

Your passport country and flight route together determine which one — if either — applies to you.

30-Day Visa-Free Entry

Valid until December 31, 2026, this policy allows citizens of the following countries to enter mainland China without a visa for up to 30 days. Eligible purposes include tourism, business, visiting family or friends, and transit.

Europe

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Asia-Pacific

Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea

Americas

Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Uruguay

Middle East

Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia

Other

Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein

Note: Policies can change. Always verify with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China or your nearest Chinese embassy before booking.

240-Hour (10-Day) Transit Visa-Free

If your country is not on the 30-day list — or if your itinerary involves passing through China on the way to a third destination — you may qualify for the 240-hour transit visa-free policy.

This includes citizens of the United States and 54 other countries. Note that Canada and the UK now qualify for the 30-day policy above and do not need to use this transit route.

How It Works

The 240-hour clock starts at 00:00 the day after you arrive — giving you up to 10 full days to explore before continuing your journey.

You qualify if:

You are a citizen of one of the 55 eligible countries
You enter through one of 65 designated ports across 24 provincial-level regions
Your itinerary follows the format: Country A → China → Country/Region B
You stay within the approved travel area for your entry city

The third-country rule

This is the most important condition. Your route must include a genuine third country or region — you cannot fly in and out of China to the same country.

This usually qualifies:

New York → Beijing → Tokyo

You may stay in Beijing and the surrounding permitted area for up to 10 days before flying to Tokyo.

This usually does not qualify:

Toronto → Shanghai → Toronto

Returning to the same country does not satisfy the third-country transit requirement.

Approved entry ports (selected cities)

The 65 designated ports cover most major Chinese airports and land crossings, including:

Beijing (Capital & Daxing airports)
Shanghai (Pudong & Hongqiao airports)
Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi'an, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Kunming, Wuhan, Tianjin, Qingdao, Dalian, Xiamen, Guilin, Harbin, Changsha, Shenyang

Check the full list on the National Immigration Administration website before booking, as port eligibility can change.

Entry Conditions You Must Meet

Qualifying for visa-free entry doesn't guarantee admission. Border officers can deny entry if you cannot present the following:

Valid passport — must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay.

Onward or return flight ticket — a one-way ticket to China will raise questions at both check-in and the border, even for visa-free passport holders.

Accommodation confirmation — a hotel booking, or an invitation letter if staying with family or friends.

Basic travel plan — some officers ask where you're going and what you're doing. A rough itinerary is sufficient.

Sufficient funds — not always checked, but a bank statement or credit card as backup is good practice.

No prior immigration violations — overstays, deportations, or entry violations in China will likely result in refusal regardless of your visa-free status.

What to Prepare Even Without a Visa

Getting through immigration is just the first step. These are the practical things to sort before departure:

Accommodation registration Hotels automatically register foreign guests with local police within 24 hours. If you're staying in a private rental or with friends, you or your host must register at the local police station (派出所) within 24 hours of arrival. Failing to register is a legal violation.

Mobile payments Cash is rarely useful in modern China. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your foreign card before you arrive — see the full payments guide.

VPN Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and most Western apps are blocked in China. Install a VPN before departure — it cannot be downloaded once you're inside the country. See the VPN setup guide.

Offline maps Google Maps doesn't work in China. Download Amap (高德地图) with offline city packs before your flight.

What If My Country Isn't on Either List?

You'll need to apply for a Chinese L visa (tourist visa) from your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate.

Process:

Complete the online application at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center for your country
Submit passport, passport photo, flight itinerary, and hotel bookings
Processing typically takes 4–7 business days (longer during peak periods)
Apply at least 4–6 weeks before your trip

A standard L visa allows 30-day stays with single or double entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extend a visa-free stay inside China? Generally no. Extensions are not available for visa-free entries. If you need more time, you must exit China — to Hong Kong, Macau, or a neighbouring country — and re-enter. Border officers are aware of this practice and may question repeated short entries.

Does Hong Kong count as China? No. Hong Kong has its own immigration system, separate from mainland China. Most passport holders can enter Hong Kong visa-free for 14–90 days. It does not use your mainland China visa-free allowance.

Can I work on a visa-free entry? No. Visa-free and tourist visas do not permit any form of employment. Working on a tourist entry is a violation of Chinese immigration law.

How does the 240-hour clock work exactly? The 240-hour period begins at 00:00 on the calendar day after your arrival. If you arrive on a Monday at 22:00, the clock starts at 00:00 Tuesday. You must depart before 00:00 the following Tuesday (7 days later on the clock, 10 days of usable time in practice).

Quick check: which policy applies to me?

Check your passport country — are you on the 30-day list?
If not, check your flight route — does it include a genuine third country?
Those two details determine which pathway, if any, is available to you.

Not sure if your itinerary qualifies? Use the 240-Hour China Transit Checker — enter your stops and get an instant verdict on whether your routing works.

Entry policy is one of the key things ChinaReady tracks. Download the app to get notified when the app launches.