China Visa-Free Countries 2026: Full 30-Day and 240-Hour Lists
Most 30-day policies run through 31 December 2026. Russia’s bilateral arrangement has been extended to end-2027. The lists overlap; if your passport is on the 30-day list, that is usually the simpler option.
Which list applies to you?
30-day unilateral visa-free
50 countriesEurope
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
Bahrain, Brunei, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Korea.
Americas
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Uruguay.
Oceania
Australia, New Zealand.
Includes the UK and Canada (added February 2026) and most EU countries. Russia’s arrangement is extended to end-2027; most other policies run through 31 December 2026.
240-hour transit
57 countriesEurope
Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
Americas
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, United States.
Asia
Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam.
Oceania
Australia, New Zealand.
The 57-country list includes several countries that also have 30-day entry. If both apply, the 30-day policy is usually simpler because it does not require a third-country ticket.
240-hour transit: the rules that matter
- Routing: A → mainland China → C, where A and C are different countries or regions. Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan count as C.
- Stay: Up to 240 hours (10 days), starting at 00:00 the day after entry.
- Ports and area: Enter through one of the 65 designated ports and stay within the permitted area across 24 provincial-level regions.
- Onward ticket: Carry a confirmed ticket to the third country or region.
- Not permitted: Work, study or news reporting without the appropriate visa.
Selected mutual visa-free agreements
China also has mutual visa-free arrangements with countries that are not on the 30-day unilateral list. Examples include Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Serbia, the United Arab Emirates and Belarus. These are not part of the 50-country unilateral list; check the current terms and cumulative-stay limits with the NIA.
FAQ
Which countries can enter China visa-free for 30 days in 2026?
The 30-day unilateral visa-free list covers 50 countries: 35 in Europe (including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands), 7 in Asia (including Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia), 6 in the Americas (including Canada and Brazil) and Australia and New Zealand. Most policies run through 31 December 2026; Russia’s bilateral arrangement has been extended to end-2027.
Which countries can use the 240-hour visa-free transit?
The 240-hour transit list covers 57 countries, including the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam and most EU countries. You must travel A → mainland China → C, where C is a different country or region; Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan count as third regions.
Does a US passport qualify for 30-day visa-free entry?
No. The United States is on the 240-hour transit list, not the 30-day unilateral list. US passport holders need an A → China → C itinerary and must stay within the permitted area for no more than 240 hours, unless they obtain a visa.
Do UK and Canadian passport holders need a visa for China?
As of October 2026, UK and Canadian ordinary passport holders qualify for 30-day unilateral visa-free entry. A round-trip flight is acceptable; no third-country transit ticket is needed. Confirm the policy is still in force for your travel dates.
Can I travel anywhere in China on the 240-hour transit policy?
No. You must enter through one of the 65 designated ports and stay within the permitted area. The policy covers designated areas across 24 provincial-level regions. Check your specific cities and port before booking.
Check your exact route
The lists tell you whether your passport is eligible. The calculator checks the route, stay length and onward-ticket rule.
Sources: China National Immigration Administration (NIA), public embassy and government notices, and the 240-hour transit announcement of 20 August 2026. This page is a planning aid, not legal advice. Rules can change; confirm your nationality, route and travel dates with the NIA and your airline before booking. Some outbound links on this site are affiliate links; see the disclosure.