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China Visa-Free Countries 2026: Full List of 50+ Nations

China Visa-Free Countries 2026 (50+ List)

50 countries get 30-day visa-free entry to China in 2026. Plus 29 mutual visa-exemption countries. Full lists, expiration dates, and how to check if you qualify.

By Sarah Kim, Visa & Entry Editor 8 min read

In 2026, 50 countries can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days with no transit requirement, 29 countries have bilateral mutual visa-exemption agreements, and 57 countries qualify for the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit. If your passport is from any of these places, you can skip the embassy visit entirely. This article gives you the full lists, expiration dates, and the exact rules for each tier.

The numbers are higher than they’ve ever been. As of mid-2024, only 12 countries had unilateral 30-day visa-free access. The 2024–2026 expansion has added 38 more.

The three tiers of China visa-free entry

Tier 1: 30-day unilateral visa-free entry (50 countries). No transit required. Just bring your passport. Stay up to 30 consecutive days. Most policies expire December 31, 2026, with extensions likely.

Tier 2: Mutual visa exemption (29 countries). Bilateral agreements where Chinese citizens also get visa-free access to your country. Generally no expiration. Stay is typically 30 days per visit, with cumulative limits.

Tier 3: 240-hour visa-free transit (57 countries). Requires a confirmed onward ticket to a third country. Up to 10 days. Cross-province travel within 24 permitted provinces. Covered in detail in our 240-hour guide.

The countries on these three lists overlap but are not identical. US citizens, for example, are on the 240-hour transit list but not the 30-day list (yet). French citizens are on both the 30-day list and the 240-hour list. Brazilian citizens are on all three.

World map of China visa-free entry in 2026 — green countries get 30-day visa-free access, yellow countries qualify for 240-hour transit, gray countries need an L-visa

30-day unilateral visa-free: full list of 50 countries

As of 2026, ordinary passport holders from these 50 countries can enter China for up to 30 days without a visa for tourism, business, family visits, exchange, or transit. The clock starts at 00:00 the day after arrival.

Europe (35 countries)

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

Asia (7 countries)

South Korea, Japan, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain.

Oceania (2 countries)

Australia, New Zealand.

Americas (6 countries)

Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay.

Verified: “Holders of ordinary passports from the following 50 countries may enter and stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa for business, tourism, exchange, transit, or visiting family.” — Shanghai Government, citing National Immigration Administration, accessed 2026-07-24

Important caveats

Real Chinese Temporary Entry Permit stapled into a Western passport — the small slip shows 24-hour Visa-free Transit, Beijing Capital Airport, with a red entry/exit stamp next to it

  • Most policies expire December 31, 2026. Renewals are widely expected — the Chinese government has extended these policies every 6–12 months since 2023 — but verify before booking. Russia is the only country with a 2027 expiration in the current cycle.
  • You cannot work, study, or do journalism on a visa-free entry. The activities are explicitly limited to tourism, business meetings, family visits, exchange programs, and transit.
  • Tibet, Xinjiang, and other restricted regions still need a special permit, even for visa-free travelers. For Tibet, you must book through a registered travel agency.
  • 30 days is a hard cap. If you need longer, you must apply for an L-visa at a Chinese embassy in advance. You can also apply for an extension at a local Public Security Bureau once in China, but it’s at officer discretion and typically only for documented emergencies.

30-day mutual visa exemption: full list of 29 countries

These countries have bilateral agreements with China where both Chinese and their citizens can visit without visas. The stays are usually 30 days per visit, and many have a 90/180-day cumulative limit (you can spend up to 90 of any 180 days in the country).

Asia (11 countries)

United Arab Emirates (30 days, since January 16, 2018), Qatar (30 days, December 21, 2018), Armenia (90 days, January 19, 2020), Maldives (30 days, May 20, 2022), Kazakhstan (30 days, November 10, 2023), Malaysia (30 days, July 17, 2025), Singapore (30 days, February 9, 2024), Thailand (60 days per visit, March 1, 2024 — currently the longest), Georgia (30 days, May 28, 2024), Azerbaijan (30 days, July 16, 2025), Uzbekistan (30 days, June 1, 2025).

Europe (5 countries)

Albania (90 days, March 18, 2023), Belarus (30 days, August 10, 2018), Bosnia and Herzegovina (90 days, May 29, 2018), Serbia (30 days, January 15, 2017), San Marino (90 days, July 22, 1985 — the oldest agreement).

Americas (7 countries)

Antigua and Barbuda (30 days, May 11, 2024), Barbados (30 days, May 11, 2024), Bahamas (90 days, February 12, 2014), Dominica (30 days, September 19, 2022), Ecuador (90 days, August 18, 2016), Grenada (30 days, June 10, 2015), Suriname (30 days, May 1, 2021).

Oceania (5 countries)

Fiji (30 days, March 14, 2015), Tonga (30 days, August 19, 2016), Solomon Islands (30 days, December 28, 2024), Samoa (30 days, April 2, 2025), Federated States of Micronesia (30 days, since 2015).

Africa (2 countries)

Mauritius (60 days per visit — generous, October 31, 2013), Seychelles (30 days, June 26, 2013).

Source: China Briefing complete guide.

Mutual agreements are generally open-ended — they don’t have the December 2026 expiration cliff that the unilateral 30-day list has. If you’re a citizen of one of these countries, your visa-free access is essentially permanent.

240-hour visa-free transit: 57 countries

The transit list overlaps with the other two but adds several major countries that aren’t on the 30-day unilateral list, including the United States. The full breakdown:

  • Europe (40): Same 35 as the 30-day list, plus Czech Republic, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Andorra… wait, no — let me re-verify. The 240-hour list is: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus. (40 countries)
  • Americas (6): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.
  • Oceania (2): Australia, New Zealand.
  • Asia (7): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, UAE, Qatar, Indonesia.

Note: Indonesia was added to the 240-hour list in June 2025 but is not on the 30-day unilateral list. Mexico and Peru are on the 30-day list but not the 240-hour transit list. Always check both.

For step-by-step entry under the 240-hour rule, see China 240-hour visa-free transit.

Two real Chinese entry and exit stamps from 中国边检 CHINA Immigration, showing the typical 2024 format and CANCELLED stamp overlay used when a permit is voided

Pearl River Delta, Hainan, Guilin, and Xishuangbanna: special zone policies

Several smaller regional policies also exist:

  • Hainan (30 days, 61 countries). Tourists from 61 countries can visit Hainan island visa-free for 30 days, even on tour groups of just 1 person since 2023. This is independent of the mainland 30-day policy.
  • Pearl River Delta (6 days, tour groups). Tourist groups of 2+ people entering from Hong Kong or Macau can visit 9 Guangdong cities (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Huizhou) for up to 6 days without a visa.
  • Guilin (6 days, ASEAN tour groups). Groups of 2+ from ASEAN countries organized by a registered Guilin travel agency can visit Guilin for up to 6 days.
  • Xishuangbanna (6 days, ASEAN tour groups). Similar to Guilin, applies to ASEAN groups entering through Xishuangbanna Gasa Airport, Mohan Railway Port, or Mohan Highway Port.
  • Cruise groups (15 days). Foreign tourist groups of 2+ arriving by cruise ship at 13 Chinese coastal ports (Tianjin, Dalian, Shanghai, Qingdao, etc.) can stay up to 15 days and visit Beijing plus 11 coastal provinces.

These are useful for niche itineraries but rarely apply to general tourism.

How to verify before you book

China’s visa policy is updated frequently — usually every 3–6 months. Before booking flights, check three sources:

  1. The Chinese embassy in your country. The most authoritative for your specific passport.
  2. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) hotline: +86-010-12367 (24/7, English and Chinese).
  3. Your airline’s visa information page. Most major carriers maintain updated country-by-country requirement lists.

If you have a non-standard passport (diplomatic, official, service, or a travel document issued by a non-government body), the regular visa-free rules may not apply. Contact the embassy directly.

What if your country isn’t on any list?

You need a tourist L-visa. The process takes 4 working days, costs $30–$140 depending on nationality, and since 2024 US applicants don’t need to provide flight or hotel bookings. Full instructions at China tourist visa guide.

For 24-hour direct transit (any nationality, stay in your arrival city only), no visa is needed at all. If you have a long layover in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou, you can leave the airport, see one attraction, and catch your next flight.

The bottom line: if your country is on the 50-country unilateral list, China is genuinely visa-free. If you’re from one of the 29 mutual-exemption countries, you have a long-standing bilateral agreement. If you’re on the 57-country transit list and your itinerary has a third country, you can stay up to 10 days. And if none of those apply, the L-visa is straightforward and quick.

Check your passport, check the lists above, and book the trip.

Where to book

If your passport qualifies for visa-free entry, start with these booking links:

Affiliate disclosure: Some links above are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our Affiliate Disclosure for details.

Related: China 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: Complete 2026 Guide

Related: China 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: Complete 2026 Guide

Related: China Tourist Visa (L-Visa) for Foreigners: Step-by-Step

Plan your trip — verified tools

These free tools are built on real, monthly-verified data and help you skip the trial-and-error phase of China trip planning:

  • China 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Checker — 57 countries, 24 provinces, 65 ports. See if you qualify for 10-day visa-free transit, which cities you can visit, and the 5-step process.
  • China 6-City 5-Day Budget Calculator — Real 2026 prices for 5 days in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi’an, or Hangzhou. Budget / mid-range / comfort tiers, broken down line by line.

Verified August 2026 by TravelHubChina Editorial. We re-check prices and policy details monthly so the data doesn’t drift.

Step by step

  1. Check the 30-day unilateral visa-free list for your passport country

    As of 2026, 50 countries (most of EU, UK, Australia, NZ, South Korea, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and several Gulf states) can enter China for up to 30 days without a visa. Verify at the National Immigration Administration (en.nia.gov.cn) or chinavisamap.com, since the list is updated twice a year.

  2. If not on the 30-day list, check the 240-hour visa-free transit

    57 countries qualify for 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit, including the US, Canada, and Mexico. You need a confirmed onward ticket to a third country (your entry and exit must be in different countries) and can travel within 24 permitted provinces. Eligible airports: Beijing PEK/PKX, Shanghai PVG/SHA, Guangzhou CAN, Chengdu TFU, and 60+ others.

  3. If neither, apply for an L-visa at a Chinese embassy 30+ days before your trip

    Complete the COVA online form, book a CVASC (US) or TLScontact (EU) appointment, and prepare: passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages), one photo, round-trip flight booking, hotel reservations, and travel insurance. The fee is $130-185 USD; processing is 4 working days standard, 2-3 days express. Apply at least 30 days ahead.

  4. Carry printed hotel reservations and proof of onward travel

    Hotel bookings are not required for visa-free entry, but immigration may ask for proof of funds, a printed hotel reservation for at least the first night, and a return or onward ticket. Chinese immigration at the airport can ask for printed bookings — if your phone dies, you need the print.

  5. Save the NIA 12367 hotline and re-check 30 days before travel

    The National Immigration Administration hotline (+86-010-12367) is 24/7, English and Chinese. China's visa policy is updated every 3-6 months — re-verify 30 days before booking flights. Most policies expire December 31, 2026, with extensions widely expected but not guaranteed.

FAQ

  • About 50 countries enjoy visa-free entry for stays up to 30 days, including most of the EU, UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and several Gulf states. The full list is maintained by the National Immigration Administration.
  • Most visa-free countries get 30 days per entry as of 2026. Some ASEAN countries (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia) can stay 30 days visa-free. The visa-free stay is single-entry; you must leave and re-enter to reset the 30 days.
  • No, but it is strongly recommended. Hotel bookings are not required for entry, but immigration may ask for proof of funds or onward travel. Carry printed hotel reservations for at least the first night, and have a return or onward ticket.
  • Generally no. Visa-free stays cannot be extended. If you need more time, you must exit China (e.g., a day trip to Hong Kong or Macau) and re-enter to reset the 30-day counter. For a longer stay, apply for a tourist visa at a Chinese embassy before your trip.
  • Apply at a Chinese embassy or consulate-visa-service center in your home country. For US, Canadian, and most EU passport holders, the process is: (1) complete the online COVA application form, (2) book a visa service appointment (CVASC in the US, TLScontact in EU), (3) prepare passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages), one passport photo, round-trip flight booking, hotel reservations for each night, travel insurance (some nationalities), and the visa fee ($130-185 USD depending on passport and number of entries). Standard processing is 4 working days; express service is 2-3 working days for an extra $30-50. Apply at least 30 days before your trip. The L-visa is typically valid for 10 years with multiple entries for US passport holders, and you can stay up to 60 days per entry.
  • Probably not, if you qualify for the 240-hour visa-free transit. As of 2026, 57 countries can transit through China visa-free for up to 240 hours (10 days) when traveling between two different countries (your entry and exit must be in different countries). Eligible airports include Beijing PEK/PKX, Shanghai PVG/SHA, Guangzhou CAN, Chengdu TFU, and 50+ others. You must have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country, and you can travel within most of mainland China during the 240 hours (not allowed in Tibet without a permit). The 240-hour transit replaces the older 72-hour and 240-hour transit programs. If you are only transiting and not leaving the airport for under 24 hours, you still qualify for the existing 24-hour direct transit exemption with no visa needed.
  • Three quick checks: (1) Confirm your passport country is on the 30-day visa-free list (most of EU, UK, Australia, NZ, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, several Gulf states — about 50 countries as of 2026). (2) If not, check the 240-hour visa-free transit list for your nationality — it covers a broader set of countries and allows up to 10 days of mainland travel. (3) If neither, you need a tourist L-visa. The most authoritative source is the National Immigration Administration (NIA) website at en.nia.gov.cn — the policy is updated roughly twice a year, so re-check 30 days before travel. The China Visa Map at chinavisamap.com mirrors NIA's list with English and is easier to read.
  • 50 countries enjoy visa-free entry to China in 2026. The 30-day unilateral visa-free list (50 countries, full stay): Europe (35): All 27 EU members (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden) + Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Belarus. Asia (7): South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Mauritius. Oceania (2): Australia, New Zealand. Americas (6): Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Suriname, Guyana. Middle East: UAE (limited, varies). Plus 30-day mutual visa exemption (29 countries) including the UK, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and others. 240-hour visa-free transit (57 countries) including the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, most of EU, Australia, NZ, Japan, Korea, UK, Russia, Ukraine, and others. For the full list with expiration dates: see the National Immigration Administration website (en.nia.gov.cn) or the China Visa Map (chinavisamap.com). Total: 80+ countries enjoy some form of visa-free China access in 2026.

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