Guida digitale · Updated August 2026
China Visa-Free 2026: 30-Day Entry for 50 Countries & 240-Hour Transit
China extended its visa-free policies into 2026. If your passport is from one of 50 countries you can enter for up to 30 days without a visa; citizens of 55 more countries qualify for 240-hour (10-day) transit. Here is the current state of play and how to check your own passport.
The short answer
In 2026, China offers 30-day visa-free entry to citizens of 50 countries (extended through December 31, 2026), 240-hour visa-free transit to citizens of 55 countries, and mutual visa exemption agreements covering 22 more. Regional schemes add Hainan (59 countries), cruise-ship groups, ASEAN tour groups, and the Hong Kong-Macau routes into Guangdong and Hainan. Rules change - confirm your passport against the official lists below before booking.
Who gets 30-day visa-free entry in 2026
Citizens of 50 countries can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days, for tourism, business, family visits, and exchanges. The scheme covers most of Europe (35 countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland), 7 in Asia and the Middle East (Japan, South Korea, Brunei, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia), 6 in the Americas (including Canada, Brazil, and Argentina), and 2 in Oceania (Australia and New Zealand).
The policy was extended through December 31, 2026 - confirm it is still in force when you book, then check the full 30-day country list.
The 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit
Citizens of 55 countries - including the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, Japan, and South Korea - can transit visa-free for up to 10 days (240 hours). The catch is geography: you must enter and exit through designated ports and stay within one region, such as Beijing plus Hebei and Tianjin, the Yangtze Delta, or Guangdong. You cannot roam the whole country on a transit entry.
See the 240-hour transit rules and full country list in the Digital Guide.
Mutual visa exemption agreements: 22 more countries
Beyond the 30-day scheme, 22 countries have mutual visa exemption agreements with China. Most allow 30 days per visit; Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Armenia allow 90 days, and several others cap cumulative stays at 90 days per 180-day period.
Check the mutual exemption list to see where your passport stands.
Regional schemes: Hainan, cruises, ASEAN, and the Hong Kong-Macau routes
Four regional schemes widen the net: Hainan lets citizens of 59 countries stay up to 30 days in the island province through any open Hainan port; cruise-ship tourist groups get 15 days; ASEAN tour groups visiting Xishuangbanna or Guilin get 6 days; and travelers entering Guangdong or Hainan via Hong Kong or Macau get 6 days.
Not on any list? Apply for a real visa
If your passport is on none of these lists, work through the full visa checklist: apply four to six weeks out, in person, at the official China Visa Application Service Center (visaforchina.cn). There is no tourist visa on arrival, and no same-day airport visa.
Before you fly
No visa scheme rescues an expiring or full passport: you need 6+ months of validity and two blank pages. Have your hotel address (in Chinese) and return ticket saved on your phone, and confirm your hotel can register foreign guests - it is a legal requirement within 24 hours of check-in. The full before-you-fly checklist covers all of it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for China in 2026?
It depends on your passport. Citizens of 50 countries enter visa-free for up to 30 days, citizens of 55 countries qualify for 240-hour visa-free transit, and 22 more countries have mutual exemption agreements. If your country is on none of the lists, you need a regular visa, applied for in person four to six weeks before travel.
Is the 30-day visa-free entry still active in 2026?
Yes. The 30-day visa-free policy for 50 countries was extended through December 31, 2026. Policies are reviewed periodically, so check the official China Immigration Administration announcement before booking.
Is China visa-free for US citizens?
US citizens qualify for 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit, but the US is not on the 30-day visa-free list. Transit entry is confined to one region, so for a multi-city trip US citizens need a regular visa.
Is China visa-free for UK citizens?
Yes. The UK is on the 30-day visa-free list, so British citizens can enter mainland China for up to 30 days through December 31, 2026 without a visa.
What is the 240-hour visa-free transit?
It lets citizens of 55 countries stay in China for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa, but only within one region and only when entering and exiting through designated ports. Regions include Beijing plus Hebei and Tianjin, the Yangtze Delta, and Guangdong.
Can I travel anywhere in China on visa-free entry?
With 30-day visa-free entry you can travel anywhere in mainland China. With 240-hour transit entry you are confined to the region where you entered.
How long can I stay on the 30-day visa-free entry?
Up to 30 days per entry, counted from the day after you arrive. Overstaying is taken seriously and can result in fines and entry bans.
More China travel guides
Sources
- China Immigration Administration (English)
Authoritative source for all entry and visa rules
- 240-hour visa-free transit (official announcement)
55-country list, ports, and conditions
- China Visa Application Service Center
Official appointments and visa forms