Full list of 50+ countries that can enter China without a visa. Includes 30-day visa-free entry, 240-hour transit rules, and bilateral agreements. Check if your passport qualifies.
50 countries qualify
Nationals of the UK, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, and 43 others can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, and exchange activities. Use the list below to check if your passport qualifies.
Follow these three steps to confirm your visa-free eligibility before you travel.
Check the full list below to see if your passport is on the visa-free list.
Most countries get 30 days. Some bilateral agreements allow up to 90 days.
Bring a valid passport, return or onward ticket, and hotel booking.
Citizens of these countries can enter mainland China without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, and exchange activities.
These countries have special bilateral agreements with China, allowing longer stays or different conditions than the standard 30-day policy.
Most passports can transit through China for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa, provided they meet the route and port requirements.
Citizens of these countries must apply for a Chinese tourist visa (L visa) before travel. The 240-hour transit policy may still apply for short layovers.
This page is maintained by China Visa Guide and updated based on official notices from the National Immigration Administration of China and the Beijing Public Security Exit-Entry Administration. Last verified: June 2026. Policies may change; always confirm with your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate before travel.
According to the official FAQ from Beijing Public Security Exit-Entry Administration (June 2026), nationals of 50 countries holding valid ordinary passports can enter mainland China without a visa for up to 30 days. These countries are: Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, 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, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Russia, Sweden, Canada, and the UK.
Eligible travelers can stay in mainland China for up to 30 days per entry without a visa. The 30-day period is calculated from the day after entry and lasts for 30 calendar days.
The duration of stay is calculated from the next day of entry and lasts for 30 calendar days. For example, if you enter China on June 15, your stay is counted from June 16 and you may stay until July 15.
Visa-free entry is permitted for business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange activities, and transit. It also covers sports competitions, conferences, exhibitions, and study tours (summer/winter camps) if the stay does not exceed 30 days.
Yes. Foreign nationals coming to China for sports competitions, conferences, exhibitions, and study tours (summer or winter camps) can use the visa-free policy, provided their stay does not exceed 30 days and they hold a valid ordinary passport.
Yes. Eligible foreign nationals can enter China visa-free whether they are traveling as part of a tour group or as individual travelers.
Yes. Eligible foreign nationals can depart for China from any country or region outside mainland China. You do not need to travel directly from your home country.
The visa-free policy applies to all sea, road, and air ports open to foreign nationals, unless laws, regulations, or bilateral arrangements specify otherwise. If you arrive by private transport, you must also complete the required entry and exit procedures for your vehicle.
You must hold a valid ordinary passport with validity covering your intended stay. Travel documents, temporary documents, or emergency documents other than ordinary passports are not accepted. It is recommended to carry an invitation letter, return or onward air ticket, and hotel reservations matching your purpose of visit.
If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, you should apply for the appropriate visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate before traveling. If you have already entered China visa-free and have a reasonable and valid reason to stay longer, you can apply for a stay permit at the local exit-entry administration of the public security authority.
No. Eligible foreign nationals can enter China visa-free multiple times. Currently there is no restriction on the number of entries or the total number of days stayed, but you must not engage in activities inconsistent with your stated purpose of entry.
No. Eligible foreign nationals do not need to declare or apply in advance to Chinese embassies or consulates before entering China without a visa.
No. Visa-free entry does not cover work, study, news coverage, or similar purposes. If you plan to work, study, or engage in journalism, you must apply for the appropriate visa before entering China.
If your passport is lost or damaged after visa-free entry, you can exit China using a new passport, emergency passport, or travel document issued by your embassy or consulate in China. Chinese border inspection authorities will verify your identity, entry record, loss report, and embassy documents. If everything is valid and you have not overstayed, you will be allowed to exit.
As of June 2026, the visa-free policy for Brunei has no announced end date. For Russia, it is effective until December 31, 2027. For the other 48 countries, it is effective until December 31, 2026.
It depends on how long your layover is and where you are flying next. If you stay in the international transit area and do not pass immigration, you usually do not need a visa for short layovers. If you want to leave the airport or your layover is longer, you may qualify for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy if your route is A → China → B (different countries) and you enter through an eligible port.
A return or onward ticket is not strictly listed as a mandatory requirement, but immigration officers may ask for proof of onward travel and hotel reservations to confirm your purpose of visit. We strongly recommend carrying a return or onward ticket and accommodation bookings.
Use our free calculator to check your visa requirements, then set up Alipay before you land.