China Visa-Free 2026: Complete Guide to 50 Countries + 240-hour Transit Policy
2026 China Visa Policy: Key Numbers
China has entered a new era of openness in 2026. Building on the visa-free expansions of 2024-2025, the government has extended all major visa-free programs through December 31, 2026, and added new countries including the United Kingdom and Canada in February 2026.
This guide covers everything you need to know about entering China visa-free in 2026 — from which passport you hold to which ports you can use.
30-Day Unilateral Visa-Free Entry (50 Countries)
China offers 30-day visa-free entry for ordinary passport holders from 50 countries. No application needed — just show up with a valid passport.
Eligible Countries (as of May 2026)
Europe (31)
- 🇫🇷 France
- 🇩🇪 Germany
- 🇮🇹 Italy
- 🇪🇸 Spain
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands
- 🇧🇪 Belgium
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland
- 🇦🇹 Austria
- 🇵🇱 Poland
- 🇭🇺 Hungary
- 🇨🇿 Czech Republic
- 🇸🇰 Slovakia
- 🇸🇮 Slovenia
- 🇭🇷 Croatia
- 🇪🇪 Estonia
- 🇱🇻 Latvia
- 🇱🇹 Lithuania
- 🇲🇹 Malta
- 🇬🇷 Greece
- 🇵🇹 Portugal
- 🇫🇮 Finland
- 🇸🇪 Sweden
- 🇳🇴 Norway
- 🇩🇰 Denmark
- 🇮🇸 Iceland
- 🇱🇺 Luxembourg
- 🇮🇪 Ireland
- 🇨🇾 Cyprus
- 🇧🇬 Bulgaria
- 🇷🇴 Romania
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom ✨ NEW 2026
Americas & Asia-Pacific
- 🇨🇦 Canada ✨ NEW 2026
- 🇺🇸 United States
- 🇧🇷 Brazil
- 🇦🇷 Argentina
- 🇨🇱 Chile
- 🇦🇺 Australia
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- 🇰🇷 South Korea
- 🇸🇬 Singapore
- 🇲🇾 Malaysia
- 🇹🇭 Thailand
- 🇮🇩 Indonesia
- 🇵🇭 Philippines
- 🇧🇾 Belarus
- 🇷🇺 Russia (until Sep 14, 2026)
Requirements
- Valid passport (6+ months remaining)
- Return or onward ticket
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking recommended)
- No engagement in work-related activities
240-Hour (10-Day) Transit Visa-Free Policy
Travelers from 55 countries can transit through China for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa. This policy covers 37 ports across 24 provinces.
55 Eligible Countries
All 50 countries from the 30-day visa-free list, plus:
- 🇨🇳 All EU countries (expanded list)
- 🇮🇳 India
- 🇲🇲 Myanmar
- 🇻🇳 Vietnam
- 🇰🇵 North Korea
- 🇳🇵 Nepal
- 🇱🇦 Laos
- 🇰🇭 Cambodia
- 🇶🇦 Qatar
- 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
- 🇦🇪 UAE
- 🇧🇭 Bahrain
- And more...
Key Rules
- You must have a confirmed ticket to a third country (not China)
- You cannot exceed 240 hours (10 days) in China
- You must enter and exit through designated ports
- You can only stay within the designated geographic area
Hainan 30-Day Visa Exemption (59 Countries)
A special policy allows passport holders from 59 countries to visit Hainan Province visa-free for up to 30 days. This is separate from the national 30-day visa-free policy.
Purpose
- Tourism
- Business
- Family visits
- Medical treatment
- MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions)
- Sports events
Hainan Destinations
- 🌴 Haikou (capital)
- 🏝️ Sanya
- 🌋 Wenchang
- 🏖️ Dongfang
- And all other Hainan cities
37 Available Transit Ports (2026)
🇨🇳 Beijing Region
- Beijing Capital International Airport
- Beijing West Railway Station
- Tianjin Binhai International Airport
- Shijiazhuang Zhengding Airport
- Qinhuangdao Port
🇨🇳 Shanghai Region
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport
- Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
- Shanghai Railway Station
- Shanghai Port (Cruise Terminal)
- Nanjing Lukou Airport
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport
- Ningbo Lishe Airport
- Wenzhou Longwan Airport
- Zhoushan Putuo Airport
🇨🇳 Southern China
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
- Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport
- Jieyang Chaoshan Airport
- Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
- Chongqing Jiangbei Airport
🇨🇳 Other Major Ports
- Xi'an Xianyang International Airport
- Qingdao Liuting International Airport
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport
- Wuhan Tianhe International Airport
- Shenyang Taoxian International Airport
- Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport
- Kunming Changshui International Airport
- Lijiang Sanyi International Airport ✨ NEW
- Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport ✨ NEW
- Mohan Railway Port ✨ NEW
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work in China with visa-free entry?
No. Visa-free entry is strictly for tourism, business visits, family reunions, or transit. Working requires a proper Z-work visa obtained before arrival. Being caught working illegally can result in fines, deportation, and future entry bans.
Can I extend my 30-day visa-free stay?
Generally no — the 30-day visa-free period cannot be extended. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for the appropriate visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate before your trip, or consult with the local Public Security Bureau Exit-Entry Administration.
Can I enter Hong Kong/Macau and then enter mainland China visa-free?
The visa-free policies are separate. Hong Kong and Macau have their own entry requirements. However, if you're from an eligible country, you can visit Hong Kong/Macau first, then enter mainland China under the visa-free policy if you meet all requirements. Foreign tourists organized by registered travel agencies can also enter Guangdong's 9 cities visa-free through the Group Tour Scheme.
What happens if I overstay my visa-free period?
Overstaying can result in daily fines, and in serious cases, you may be detained, deported, and banned from re-entering China for 1-5 years. Always check your entry stamp carefully.
Do I need a return ticket?
While not always checked, immigration officials may ask about your travel plans. It's strongly recommended to have a return or onward ticket ready to show.
Can I use the 240-hour transit policy multiple times?
Each transit entry is considered separately. If you leave China and return, you must once again qualify for the transit policy. There's no limit on the number of times you can use it, as long as each entry qualifies.
📊 2026 Inbound Tourism Data
China's visa-free expansion is driving record inbound tourism:
- Q1 2026: 21.33 million foreign border crossings (+22.3% YoY)
- Q1 2026: 8.32 million visa-free entries (77.9% of all inbound)
- 2025: 150+ million inbound visits (+17% YoY)
- 2025: $130 billion spent by inbound tourists
- 2026 Forecast: 38 million visa-free visitors expected