Nationals of 50 countries can use China’s current unilateral visa-free policy in 2026 when they meet the passport, purpose and stay requirements. Eligible ordinary-passport holders can enter for business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange or transit and stay for up to 30 days. Travelers outside that list may still qualify for the separate 240-hour visa-free transit policy if both their nationality and itinerary meet its rules.
The big change happened on February 17, 2026, when China added the United Kingdom and Canada to its 30-day visa-free program. That move surprised a lot of travelers who were still budgeting for a visa. British and Canadian tourists can now book flights the same way Germans, Australians, and Japanese have since 2024.
The rules are not complicated once you know which lane you fall into. This guide separates the 30-day unilateral program from the 240-hour transit policy and explains the main conditions. The lists and counts below were checked against official Chinese government information available on August 20, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Nationals of 50 countries currently qualify for unilateral visa-free entry for stays of up to 30 days. Brunei has no stated end date, Russia is listed through December 31, 2027, and the other 48 countries are listed through December 31, 2026.
- The UK and Canada were added on February 17, 2026; the US is NOT on the 30-day list.
- Nationals of 57 countries can use the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit when traveling onward to a third country or region under the current rules.
- 240-hour transit works at 65 ports across 24 provincial-level regions, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu.
- Overstaying can lead to fines, detention or other immigration consequences; contact immigration authorities before the authorized stay ends if an emergency affects your departure.
Who gets 30-day visa-free entry to China in 2026?
This is the golden ticket. If your country is on the 30-day unilateral list, you skip visas entirely for stays up to 30 days. You can travel anywhere in mainland China, not just a transit route, and you do not need an onward ticket to a third country.
The policy covers eligible ordinary-passport holders arriving for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchange visits, and transit. The official FAQ lists no stated end date for Brunei, an end date of December 31, 2027 for Russia, and December 31, 2026 for the other 48 countries.
Here is the current list of 30-day unilateral visa-free countries:
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| Western and Central Europe | France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal |
| Nordic Europe | Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden |
| Southern and Eastern Europe | Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia |
| European microstates | Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein |
| Asia-Pacific | Brunei, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, Japan |
| Americas | Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Canada |
| Middle East | Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain |
| Other Europe | Russia, United Kingdom |
The current official list contains 50 countries. Older pages may show fewer countries or a single shared end date, so check the latest official FAQ before booking a non-refundable trip.
A word on which passport counts: eligibility follows your nationality, not where you live. A Canadian citizen living in Dubai still travels visa-free as a Canadian. A green-card holder in the US who carries a Chinese or Indian passport does not qualify under either country’s status, only under their own passport’s rules.
One more thing worth checking: a handful of countries have separate mutual visa-free deals that predate this list, including Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. If you hold one of those passports, your allowance may differ from the 30-day figure above, so confirm the exact terms for your nationality.
Which countries can use the 240-hour visa-free transit?
If your passport is not on the 30-day list, 240-hour transit may be an option only if your nationality, ports and third-country itinerary qualify. United States ordinary-passport holders are not on the 30-day unilateral list but are included in the 240-hour transit list.
Effective August 20, 2026, the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy covers nationals of 57 countries. Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam are the latest additions. Eligible travelers must be transiting onward to a third country or region. You must hold a confirmed onward ticket to a place that is different from where you arrived from.
Eligible nationalities include the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, many European countries, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam. Because many of these countries also have 30-day visa-free access, the transit route matters most for Americans and for anyone whose trip genuinely continues to a third country.
| Feature | 30-day unilateral visa-free | 240-hour transit |
|---|---|---|
| Max stay | 30 days | 10 days (240 hours) |
| Onward third-country ticket needed? | No | Yes |
| Travel across all of China? | Yes | Within the covered region |
| Best for | Round-trip holidays | Stopovers en route elsewhere |
| US passport holders | Not eligible | Eligible |
The transit clock starts at 00:00 the day after you arrive. So a Tuesday-afternoon arrival gives you until midnight ten days later, which is a little more time than it sounds.
Where can you use the 240-hour transit? Ports and regions
The policy currently applies through 65 designated ports in 24 provincial-level regions. Travelers must use eligible ports and remain within the permitted area for their route. Check the National Immigration Administration’s current port and area list before booking.
Within the covered region, you can move freely. Most of the big tourist zones are now connected, so a transit visitor can realistically string together several cities by high-speed rail. If you want to plan a route, our trains and metro guide explains how the rail network links these hubs.
Popular entry airports for transit include:
- Beijing Capital and Daxing
- Shanghai Pudong and Hongqiao
- Guangzhou Baiyun
- Chengdu Tianfu and Shuangliu
- Xi’an Xianyang
- Chongqing, Hangzhou, Qingdao, and more
One warning: you must both enter and exit through eligible ports, and your movement is limited to the approved area for that port. Read the official rules for your arrival city before you fly. See the National Immigration Administration’s August 20, 2026 update and current policy interpretation before you fly.
Conditions and mistakes that get people fined
Visa-free does not mean rule-free. A few conditions trip up first-time visitors, and the penalties are steep.
Ordinary passports only. Diplomatic and some official passports follow different rules. If you hold one, check with a Chinese embassy first.
Count your days carefully. Leave China before the authorized stay ends. If illness, a disrupted itinerary or another emergency may prevent departure, contact the local National Immigration Administration office before the deadline instead of assuming an extension will be granted. Overstaying can lead to fines, detention or other immigration consequences.
Register your address within 24 hours. Hotels do this for you automatically at check-in. If you stay in an Airbnb or with friends, you must register at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival.
Have proof ready. Bring a return or onward ticket and a hotel booking. Border officers can ask for both, and for transit travelers the onward third-country ticket is mandatory.
Practical setup: money, internet, and getting around
Getting in is step one. Being ready to function is step two, and it catches people off guard.
Foreign cards still work poorly in daily life, so set up mobile payments before you go. Our Alipay guide for foreigners walks through linking an overseas card so you can pay for taxis, food, and tickets by phone. Cash is accepted almost everywhere too, so carry a few hundred yuan as backup for small vendors.
Internet is the other surprise. Many familiar apps and sites are blocked, so download an eSIM or set up a travel VPN before you land rather than trying to fix it from your hotel. Our connectivity guide covers the options that actually work for short visits.
Trains are the best way to cover China’s distances, and popular routes sell out days ahead. You can compare seats and lock in tickets through our train ticket service without a Chinese bank account or ID. If it is your first time using the system, our step-by-step guide to booking high-speed train tickets shows exactly how it works.
Frequently asked questions
Is the United States on China’s 30-day visa-free list in 2026?
No. US ordinary passport holders are not eligible for the 30-day unilateral visa-free entry. Americans can, however, use the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit when flying onward to a third country, or apply for a standard tourist visa for longer stays.
Did China really add the UK and Canada to visa-free entry?
Yes. Effective February 17, 2026, ordinary passport holders from the United Kingdom and Canada can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days. The measure runs through December 31, 2026, and covers tourism, business, family visits, and transit.
How long does China visa-free entry last in 2026?
The official FAQ lists no stated end date for Brunei, December 31, 2027 for Russia, and December 31, 2026 for the other 48 countries. Check the current status for your passport before booking non-refundable travel.
What happens if I overstay a visa-free entry?
Fines, detention or other immigration consequences can apply. If an emergency may affect your departure, contact the local National Immigration Administration office before the authorized stay ends and keep a buffer in your itinerary.
Can I use the 240-hour transit for a round trip?
No. The 240-hour transit requires a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region that differs from your point of departure. If you want to fly in and out of China without a third stop, you need the 30-day visa-free entry or a tourist visa.
Do I need to register with the police?
Yes, within 24 hours of arrival. Hotels handle registration automatically at check-in. If you stay in private accommodation, you must register yourself at the nearest local police station.
Before you go: your visa-free checklist
Run through this list before you book:
- Confirm your passport is on the 30-day list, or plan a third-country onward flight for the 240-hour transit.
- Check your arrival airport is an eligible port if you are using transit.
- Book a return or onward ticket and at least your first night’s hotel.
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before departure.
- Plan address registration for any non-hotel stay.
- Leave a buffer day so you never risk an overstay.
For the official rules, confirm your status with the National Immigration Administration’s August 20, 2026 update and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you fly, since policies can change.
Once your entry route is sorted, the next thing to nail down is transport, because China’s best cities are hours apart and the fast trains fill up. Get a free quote and let our team handle your high-speed rail tickets so you land ready to explore. Book your China train tickets and get a free quote here.
