China visa-free countries: who gets 30 days without a visa (2026)

As of September 2026, citizens of 78 countries can visit China without a visa. 50 of them fall under a temporary policy that China grants on its own, and 28 under permanent mutual agreements. Most other nationalities, including US citizens, can still visit for up to 10 days with the 240-hour transit rule.

Enter your passport in our visa checker for a quick answer. This page explains the rules behind it.

Unilateral visa-free entry: 30 days

This is China’s own policy, not a treaty, so it has end dates. With an ordinary passport from one of these 50 countries you can stay up to 30 days per visit for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchanges or transit:

• Europe: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom
• Asia-Pacific: Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea
• Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Uruguay
• Middle East: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia

End dates matter:

• Most countries: until 31 December 2026. The UK and Canada joined on 17 February 2026 with the same end date.
• Russia: until 31 December 2027.
• Brunei: no end date.

China has extended the policy several times, usually a month or two before it runs out. As of 27 September 2026, no extension beyond 2026 has been announced. If your trip is in 2027, check again before you book.

The 30 days start at 00:00 on the day after you arrive. Arrive on 1 October and you can stay until 31 October. You may enter as often as you like; the Foreign Ministry says there is currently no limit on entries. To stay longer, you have to apply for a stay permit at a local exit-entry office. Work, study and journalism always need a visa.

Mutual visa exemption: 28 countries

These are permanent agreements that work both ways, so there is no end date. How long you can stay depends on the agreement. Most allow 30 days per entry, often with a cap of 90 days in any 180.

• 90 days: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, San Marino
• 60 days: Mauritius
• 30 days: Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Dominica, Fiji, Georgia, Grenada, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, the Maldives, Qatar, Samoa, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, the Solomon Islands, Suriname, Thailand, Tonga, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan

Not on either list?

That includes the United States, Mexico, India, the Czech Republic and Lithuania. US, Mexican, Czech and Lithuanian passports, among others, can use the 240-hour transit rule if you fly on to a third country. Otherwise, apply for a tourist (L) visa at a Chinese embassy or visa center.

What to carry at the border

• A valid ordinary passport. Diplomatic and service passports follow other rules. Some airlines ask for six months of validity, so check with yours.
• The arrival card, on paper or filled in online before you land.
• Proof of your plans. The Foreign Ministry advises carrying your return or onward ticket, hotel bookings and, for business, an invitation letter.

Hong Kong and Macau run their own immigration with separate rules. Before you go, see the pre-trip timeline for what to book and when.