China Visa-Free Entry 2026: 50 Eligible Countries and Stay Limits

China Visa-Free Entry 2026 allows ordinary passport holders from 50 countries to visit China without applying for a visa in advance. Eligible travelers can stay for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family or friend visits, exchange visits, and transit.

The current list includes the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Russia, most European Union countries, several South American countries, and selected Gulf countries.

There is no separate 15-day category under the current unilateral visa-free policy. All 50 eligible countries now receive stays of no more than 30 days, although the policy expiry date is not the same for every country.

Article Summary

• Ordinary passport holders from 50 countries are currently eligible.
• The maximum visa-free stay is 30 calendar days.
• No advance application or embassy declaration is required.
• Eligible purposes include tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchanges, and transit.
• The policy does not cover work, long-term study, or news reporting.
• Brunei currently has no stated policy expiry date.
• Russia’s visa-free policy is valid until December 31, 2027.
• The policy for the other 48 countries is valid until December 31, 2026.

China Visa-Free Entry 2026 at a Glance

Complete List of China Visa-Free Countries in 2026

The 50 eligible countries are grouped below according to the regional classification published by China’s National Immigration Administration.

Europe: 35 Countries

• Andorra
• 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

Oceania: 2 Countries

• Australia
• New Zealand

Asia: 7 Countries

• Bahrain
• Brunei
• Japan
• Kuwait
• Oman
• South Korea
• Saudi Arabia

Americas: 6 Countries

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Canada
• Chile
• Peru
• Uruguay

Canada and the United Kingdom joined the program on February 17, 2026. Ordinary passport holders from both countries can enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for eligible travel purposes.

How Long Can You Stay in China Without a Visa?

Eligible travelers may stay in China for no more than 30 calendar days.

The stay is calculated from 00:00 on the day after entry. This means the day you arrive in China is not counted as Day 1.

For example, if you enter China on September 1, the 30-day period begins on September 2. You should still check your entry stamp and confirm the permitted departure date before making final travel arrangements.

If you already know that you need more than 30 days in China, apply for the appropriate visa before traveling.

When Does the China Visa-Free Policy Expire?

The policy does not have the same expiry date for all 50 countries.

Travelers planning to visit China close to one of these expiry dates should check for an official extension before booking non-refundable flights or accommodation.

Do You Need to Apply or Register in Advance?

No. If you meet the China Visa-Free Entry 2026 requirements, you do not need to apply for a visa or make an advance declaration to a Chinese embassy or consulate.

You also do not need to join an organized tour. Eligible travelers may enter China independently or as part of a tour group.

Visa-free entry does not guarantee admission. Chinese border inspection officers may check whether your passport, travel purpose, and planned stay meet the policy requirements.

It is sensible to carry:

• A valid ordinary passport
• A confirmed return or onward ticket
• Hotel reservations or your accommodation address
• An invitation letter if visiting a company, relative, or friend
• Basic information about your travel itinerary
• Documents that support the stated purpose of your visit

These documents are not a separate application package. They may simply help border officers confirm that your visit meets the visa-free conditions.

What Passport Do You Need?

You must hold a valid ordinary passport issued by one of the 50 eligible countries. The passport should remain valid for at least the full period of your intended stay in China.

Temporary passports, emergency travel documents, and other documents that are not ordinary passports do not automatically qualify under this policy.

Diplomatic, service, official, and special passports may be covered by separate bilateral arrangements. Travelers using these documents should check the rules applying to their specific passport type.

What Travel Purposes Are Allowed?

China Visa-Free Entry 2026 covers short visits for:

• Tourism
• Business
• Visiting relatives
• Visiting friends
• Exchange visits
• Transit

Eligible activities may also include short conferences, exhibitions, sporting events, and study tours when they fall within the permitted visit categories and the traveler stays no longer than 30 days.

The policy does not cover:

• Employment
• Long-term study
• News reporting
• Activities requiring prior approval
• Residence in China

If you plan to work, enroll in a long-term study program, report as a journalist, or conduct another regulated activity, obtain the correct visa before departure.

Can You Travel to China From a Third Country?

Yes. You do not have to travel directly from your country of nationality.

For example, an eligible British passport holder may travel from Thailand to China. An Australian passport holder may enter China after visiting Japan.

Your eligibility is mainly determined by your nationality, ordinary passport, purpose of travel, and intended length of stay.

Is This the Same as the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy?

No. These are two separate policies.

China’s 30-day unilateral visa-free policy allows eligible ordinary passport holders to travel directly to China and return to the same country. There is no requirement to continue to a third country or region.

The 240-hour visa-free transit policy requires an eligible transit itinerary from one country or region, through China, to a different country or region. It is also connected to designated entry ports and permitted travel areas.

If you are not eligible for the 30-day policy but are traveling through China to another destination, read our separate guide to [China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy] before booking your itinerary.

Can You Enter Through Any Airport or Border Crossing?

The unilateral visa-free policy applies at sea, land, and air ports open to foreign nationals, unless a law, regulation, or bilateral arrangement provides otherwise.

This is different from the 240-hour transit policy, which is connected to designated ports and permitted travel areas.

Travelers arriving by private car, yacht, private aircraft, or another privately operated form of transport may need to complete additional procedures for the vehicle or vessel.

Can You Enter China More Than Once?

Yes. Eligible travelers may currently use the unilateral visa-free policy for multiple trips.

The official rules do not set a minimum interval between visits, a fixed number of visa-free entries, or a maximum combined number of visa-free days.

However, each visit must have a genuine permitted purpose. Frequent or back-to-back entries may lead border officers to check whether a traveler is effectively living or working in China without the appropriate visa or residence permit.

The absence of a published numerical limit should not be treated as permission to use visa-free visits for unauthorized employment or residence.

What If You Need to Stay Longer Than 30 Days?

If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, apply for an appropriate Chinese visa before traveling.

If an unexpected situation arises after arrival and you have a legitimate reason to remain longer, you may apply for a stay permit through the local exit-entry administration of the public security authority.

Approval is not automatic. Do not wait until the final day of your permitted stay to deal with an extension.

Before You Travel

Check the official country list again shortly before departure, especially if your trip will take place near December 31, 2026.

Bring a valid ordinary passport and documents that match your travel purpose. If you intend to work, study long term, report news, live in China, or remain for more than 30 days, apply for the correct visa instead.

The policy makes short visits easier, but the final admission decision remains with Chinese border inspection authorities.

Official Sources Used

• FAQs on Visa-Free Entry into China — Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China
• List of Countries Covered by Unilateral Visa Exemption Policies — National Immigration Administration, published February 17, 2026
• Canada and the UK Added to the Visa-Free Program — Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated February 15, 2026
• China Extends Visa-Free Policy for Russia — Ministry of Foreign Affairs, updated May 20, 2026