Short answer
China runs three different visa-free schemes, and they are not interchangeable. Whether you qualify depends on your nationality, how long you are staying, and — for one of them — whether you are passing through on the way to a third country.
Check your nationality against all three before you assume you need a visa. As of 2026 a large share of European, Asian and Oceanian passports qualify for at least one route.
Rules and expiry dates change with little notice. Confirm against the National Immigration Administration or your nearest Chinese embassy before booking.
The three routes
| Route | Stay | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| Unilateral visa-free | Up to 30 days | You hold a passport from an eligible country. No onward ticket requirement. |
| 240-hour transit | Up to 10 days | You are travelling to a third country, entering and exiting through different regions. |
| Hainan 30-day | Up to 30 days | You enter and stay within Hainan province only. |
1. Unilateral visa-free entry (30 days)
This is the simplest route. If your passport is on the list, you show up and you are admitted for up to 30 days for tourism, business or visiting family. No invitation letter, no onward booking.
The list has expanded quickly. Over 40 countries are covered, concentrated in Europe, plus a growing set in Asia and Oceania. The current tranche is scheduled to run until 31 December 2026, with some countries on longer or open-ended arrangements — Russia, for instance, is covered through the end of 2027.
The full list: 50 countries
The National Immigration Administration published the current list on 17 February 2026. Ordinary passport holders of these 50 countries may enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges or transit. The 30 days are counted from 00:00 on the day after entry, not from your landing time.
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| Europe (35) | 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 |
| Asia (7) | Bahrain, Brunei, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, South Korea, Saudi Arabia |
| Americas (6) | Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Uruguay |
| Oceania (2) | Australia, New Zealand |
Two additions matter to most English-speaking readers: the United Kingdom and Canada were both added on 17 February 2026. Russia sits on a longer arrangement running to the end of 2027; most other countries on this list are covered to 31 December 2026.
2. 240-hour transit visa-free (10 days)
This is the route most often misunderstood. It is not a general visa waiver — it is a transit waiver, and the conditions are specific:
- You must be travelling to a third country. London → Beijing → London does not qualify. London → Beijing → Tokyo does.
- You must hold a confirmed onward ticket to that third country.
- You must enter and exit through different ports or regions (with limited exceptions).
- The clock starts at midnight after arrival, not at the moment you land.
As of 2026 the scheme covers 57 nationalities and 65 ports across 24 provincial-level regions. Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam were added in August 2026.
3. Hainan 30-day visa-free
If you are only visiting Hainan province, the island in the south, popular for beaches and resorts, a separate scheme admits nationals of 60-plus countries for up to 30 days. You must book through a travel agency in some cases and you cannot leave the province on this entry.
This is useful if Hainan is your whole trip. It is not a back door to the mainland.
How to check your own situation
- Find your nationality on the unilateral list. If it is there and you are staying under 30 days, you are done.
- If not, check whether your trip is transit. Are you flying onward to a different country, and do you have the ticket?
- If neither applies, check the Hainan scheme, but only if Hainan is the entire trip.
- Otherwise you need a visa. Apply at a Chinese embassy or visa centre, and start early: processing takes longer in peak season.
What you still need regardless of visa status
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned exit date.
- Proof of accommodation for at least the first nights. Hotels register you automatically; if you are staying with friends, you may be asked for an address.
- An onward or return ticket, checked more strictly on the transit route, but good to have either way.
- The arrival card. Increasingly completed digitally before landing; the airline will tell you which system to use.
Frequently asked questions
Which countries can enter China visa-free in 2026?
Fifty countries are covered by the unilateral 30-day policy under the National Immigration Administration list published on 17 February 2026: 35 European countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Russia; 7 in Asia including Japan, South Korea, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia; 6 in the Americas — Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru and Uruguay; and Australia and New Zealand. The United States is not on this list.
Can I enter China visa-free and then extend my stay?
Visa-free entries are for a fixed period and generally cannot be extended in place. If you want to stay longer, apply for a visa before travelling or plan to exit and re-enter.
Does the 240-hour transit rule apply if I fly home via China?
No. Returning to your country of origin is not transit to a third country. You need an onward destination that is neither China nor where you started.
Do I need a visa if I am only changing planes in China?
If you stay airside and do not pass immigration, you are not entering China and no visa is involved. If you leave the airport, entry rules apply.
Is the visa-free policy still running in 2026?
Yes. The current unilateral tranche runs to 31 December 2026, with some countries on longer arrangements. Transit and Hainan schemes are also active, with additions made through 2026.
Can I work in China on a visa-free entry?
No. Visa-free entry covers tourism, business meetings and family visits. Paid employment or long-term study requires the appropriate visa.
Where do I confirm my nationality is eligible?
Check the National Immigration Administration's published lists, or your nearest Chinese embassy. Third-party lists go stale quickly, treat them as a starting point only.
Related reading
Visa and entry rules change frequently and are set by Chinese authorities. This page summarises published policy as of September 2026 and is not legal advice, always confirm your own eligibility with an official source before travelling.