China visa-free travel in 2026: 77 countries, 30-day stay, 240-hour transit

China offers visa-free entry to passport holders from 77 countries in 2026, covering most of Europe, parts of South America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and several Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern nations. The standard visa-free stay is 30 days for tourism, family visit, business meetings, or transit. A separate 240-hour visa-free transit policy applies to all 54 transit-eligible nationalities at 60+ ports of entry.

This guide explains who qualifies, how long you can stay, what activities the visa-free entry permits, when you still need a regular visa, and the practical rules for the 30-day policy, 240-hour transit, Hainan visa-free, and cruise-ship visa-free programmes.

Who can enter China visa-free in 2026 — the 77-country list

China’s unilateral visa-free policy was expanded multiple times between 2023 and 2025. As of 2026 the 77-country list includes:

• Europe (most countries): Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, Portugal, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, Malta, North Macedonia, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Liechtenstein, plus the United Kingdom.
• Asia-Pacific: Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam.
• Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay.
• Middle East: United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Türkiye.

The list keeps expanding. Always check the National Immigration Administration of China for the latest additions before you fly.

The 30-day visa-free policy explained

The standard unilateral visa-free entry allows up to 30 days in mainland China per visit. Permitted purposes:

• Tourism
• Family visit
• Business meetings, negotiations, contract signing, attending conferences or trade fairs
• Cultural, sports, scientific, or technological exchange activities
• Transit through China to a third country

NOT permitted on visa-free entry:

• Paid employment in China
• Study or research at a Chinese institution beyond short attendance
• Long-term residence
• Journalistic activities
• Religious activities

Total time inside China across multiple visa-free entries is capped under different rules depending on nationality. Most 77-country passport holders can do back-to-back visa-free entries with no formal cumulative cap, but border officers retain discretion to refuse re-entry if they suspect overstay or work intent.

The 240-hour visa-free transit policy

Separate from the unilateral 30-day visa-free, China offers a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit for travellers from 54 designated nationalities passing through China to a third country. Key conditions:

• You must enter and exit through one of 60+ designated ports across 24 provinces (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Xi’an, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Qingdao, Tianjin, Chongqing, and many more)
• You must hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country (not back to your origin country)
• The 240-hour clock starts at 00:00 on the day after you enter China
• You can move freely between any of the 24 designated provinces during the transit period

The 240-hour policy is the upgrade from the previous 144-hour (6-day) policy that ran from 2016 to 2025. The expansion was a major boost for business travellers who needed slightly longer trips than 6 days but did not want to apply for a regular visa.

Need a longer-stay visa? Talk to our visa team

Hainan visa-free entry (30-day)

Hainan Province operates its own visa-free entry programme separate from the national policy. Passport holders from 59 countries can enter Hainan visa-free for up to 30 days, regardless of whether their nationality qualifies for the national 30-day policy. Conditions:

• You must arrive at one of Hainan’s open ports (Haikou Meilan, Sanya Phoenix, Boao)
• You must travel as part of an organised tour group OR independently with a tourism plan registered with a licensed Hainan travel agency
• You may travel anywhere within Hainan but cannot leave the island during the visa-free period without applying for an extension or a regular visa

Hainan has actively positioned itself as a tropical-leisure visa-free destination. The free trade zone status combined with broad visa-free access makes it one of China’s most accessible destinations for first-time visitors.

Cruise ship visa-free entry (15-day)

Foreign cruise passengers arriving on international cruise ships at Chinese coastal ports can enter visa-free for up to 15 days. The policy covers all foreign nationalities (no country restriction) and applies at any open port: Shanghai (Wusongkou), Tianjin, Qingdao, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and several others.

The 15-day clock applies to the cruise group as a whole. If you depart the cruise to travel inland independently, you can do so within the 15-day window provided you re-board your cruise or exit China before it expires.

Business activities allowed visa-free vs when you need a visa

The visa-free policy allows specific business activities. The line matters because crossing it accidentally can result in fines, deportation, or future visa refusals.

When visa-free isn’t enough — which visa do you actually need?

If your purpose or duration falls outside the visa-free window, you need a regular Chinese visa. The most common categories:

• L visa (tourism): single, double, or multiple entry for tourism stays beyond 30 days.
• M visa (business): for commercial activities longer than 30 days, sustained client engagement, training delivery, project management.
• Z visa (work): for paid employment in China — requires employer sponsorship and a Chinese work permit. Read more on the Z visa application service.
• K visa (STEM talent): for foreign STEM graduates and researchers, no employer sponsor required. See our K visa guide.
• X1 / X2 visa (study): for studying at a recognised Chinese institution.
• S1 / S2 visa (family): for family members of foreign residents in China.
• F visa (exchange): for non-commercial exchange, study tours, lectures, or research visits sponsored by a Chinese institution.

For long-term residence, after 4 consecutive years of qualifying visa stays, foreigners can apply for the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card (Chinese Green Card).

What to bring and entry tips

Even visa-free travellers should arrive prepared. China’s border officers are systematic about documentation. Bring:

• Passport with at least 6 months remaining validity and 2 blank pages
• Confirmed return or onward ticket (mandatory for 240-hour transit, recommended for 30-day visa-free)
• Hotel booking confirmation or proof of accommodation
• Brief itinerary showing your intended movements within China
• For business visits: invitation letter from the Chinese host, business cards, conference confirmation
• Sufficient funds evidence (typically not asked but be ready)

You will be photographed and fingerprinted on entry. The arrival card has been replaced by an electronic version completed via the China Customs app or at airport kiosks. Within 24 hours of arrival you must register your address with the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) — hotels handle this automatically; if staying privately, register yourself.

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