China Visa-Free Guide 2026
Good news: more than 50 countries can now enter China without a visa. Here’s exactly how it works, who qualifies, and how to make the most of it.
Do You Need a Visa?
China now has two main visa-free pathways for tourists. Check which one applies to you.
For 50+ Countries
Citizens of eligible countries can enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, or transit. No onward ticket to a third country required. Extended through 31 December 2026.
- ✓No advance application needed
- ✓30 days from date of entry
- ✓Travel anywhere in China
- ✓Extendable at local PSB office
For 55 Countries (incl. USA)
Transiting through China? Stay up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa. You need a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region (not the one you came from). Free and processed on arrival.
- ✓Includes US passport holders
- ✓65 entry/exit ports across 24 provinces
- ✓Cross-province travel allowed
- ✓Processed at immigration — no application
30-Day Visa-Free Countries
Valid through 31 December 2026. Ordinary passport holders only.
Europe (34 countries)
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, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Andorra, United Kingdom
UK & Sweden added in late 2025/early 2026
Asia-Pacific (9 countries)
Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Brunei, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia
Americas (6 countries)
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Uruguay
Canada added February 2026
Notable exception: The United States is not on the 30-day visa-free list. US citizens can use the 240-hour transit visa-free policy or apply for a tourist (L) visa (US$140). The US is the only “Five Eyes” nation without visa-free entry to China.
240-Hour Transit: Entry Ports & Permitted Areas
65 ports across 24 provinces. You can travel between eligible provinces during your stay.
| Region | Key Ports | Permitted Stay Area |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing & Tianjin | Capital Airport, Daxing Airport, Binhai Airport, Tianjin Seaport | Beijing + Tianjin + Hebei |
| Shanghai & Yangtze Delta | Pudong, Hongqiao, Nanjing Lukou, Hangzhou Xiaoshan, Ningbo Lishe, Yiwu + seaports | Shanghai + Jiangsu + Zhejiang |
| Greater Bay Area | Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Bao'an, HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Hengqin, Shekou + more | All of Guangdong Province |
| Southwest | Chengdu Shuangliu, Chengdu Tianfu, Kunming Changshui, Lijiang Sanyi | Sichuan (11 cities) + Yunnan (9 cities) |
| Central & South | Guilin Liangjiang, Nanning Wuxu, Xiamen Gaoqi, Fuzhou Changle + more | Guangxi + Fujian + Hainan |
| North & Northwest | Xi'an Xianyang, Jinan Yaoqiang, Qingdao Jiaodong, Dalian Zhoushuizi | Shaanxi + Shandong + Liaoning + more |
Beijing & Tianjin
Ports: Capital Airport, Daxing Airport, Binhai Airport, Tianjin Seaport
Stay area: Beijing + Tianjin + Hebei
Shanghai & Yangtze Delta
Ports: Pudong, Hongqiao, Nanjing Lukou, Hangzhou Xiaoshan, Ningbo Lishe, Yiwu + seaports
Stay area: Shanghai + Jiangsu + Zhejiang
Greater Bay Area
Ports: Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Bao'an, HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Hengqin, Shekou + more
Stay area: All of Guangdong Province
Southwest
Ports: Chengdu Shuangliu, Chengdu Tianfu, Kunming Changshui, Lijiang Sanyi
Stay area: Sichuan (11 cities) + Yunnan (9 cities)
Central & South
Ports: Guilin Liangjiang, Nanning Wuxu, Xiamen Gaoqi, Fuzhou Changle + more
Stay area: Guangxi + Fujian + Hainan
North & Northwest
Ports: Xi'an Xianyang, Jinan Yaoqiang, Qingdao Jiaodong, Dalian Zhoushuizi
Stay area: Shaanxi + Shandong + Liaoning + more
Practical Tips for Visa-Free Entry
1. Have your onward ticket ready (transit policy)
Immigration officers will ask to see your confirmed booking. A printout or screenshot on your phone works fine. Budget airlines with refundable tickets to Hong Kong, Seoul, or Tokyo are popular options for creating a qualifying itinerary.
2. Set up Alipay before you land
China runs on mobile payments. Download Alipay, link your international Visa or Mastercard, and complete identity verification with your passport. You’ll need it for everything from street food to train tickets. See our payment guide →
3. Get an eSIM for data
Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram are blocked in China. A non-Chinese eSIM routes your data through overseas networks, bypassing these restrictions. Install it before boarding your flight. Compare eSIM providers →
4. Carry your passport at all times
You’ll need it for hotel check-in (by law), buying train tickets at the station, and occasionally for security checkpoints at tourist sites or metro stations. Take photos of your passport info page and visa stamp as a backup.
5. Consider the “visa run” hack
Under the 30-day visa-free policy, you can do a quick trip to Hong Kong or Macau and re-enter China for a fresh 30 days. This effectively lets you stay for months — just keep track of your entry stamps and plan your border crossings.
China Visa FAQ
I'm American. Can I visit China without a visa?
US passport holders are not on the 30-day visa-free list. However, you can enter visa-free for up to 240 hours (10 days) under the transit policy — you need a confirmed ticket to a third country. For longer stays, you'll need a tourist (L) visa, which costs US$140.
What counts as a "third country" for the transit policy?
Any country or region other than the one you arrived from. For example, if you fly from Sydney to Shanghai and then on to Tokyo, Japan is your third country. Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan also count as separate regions for this purpose.
Can I leave and re-enter China during the 240-hour period?
No. The 240-hour visa-free transit is a single entry. If you leave mainland China (including to Hong Kong or Macau), you'll need a new entry permit to return.
Do I need to stay in one city?
No. As of 2024, you can travel across all 24 eligible provinces — far more flexible than the old policy. For example, you could enter via Shanghai, take a train to Hangzhou, then fly out of Beijing.
How do I apply for visa-free transit at the airport?
You don't need to apply in advance. When you land, head to the immigration counter and present your passport, boarding pass or ticket for your onward flight, and a completed arrival card. Officers will stamp you in on the spot. It typically takes 15–30 minutes.
What if my 30-day visa-free stay isn't enough?
You can apply for a single extension at a local Public Security Bureau (PSB) — usually 30 extra days for around ¥160. Do this at least 7 days before your current stay expires. Alternatively, do a "visa run" to Hong Kong or Macau and re-enter for a fresh 30 days.
Ready to Plan Your China Trip?
Now that you know the visa situation, start putting your trip together.