📄 China Visa‑Free Entry – Countries & Regions – This guide covers all visa‑free pathways for ordinary passport holders: unilateral 30‑day visa‑free (55 countries), bilateral mutual visa‑free agreements, regional visa‑free programs (Hainan, Guangdong, Guangxi), and essential pre‑arrival requirements. The 240‑hour Transit Without Visa (TWOV) policy is covered in a separate dedicated guide.
📅 Timeliness Notice: This guide reflects China's visa‑free policies as of June 2026. Unilateral visa‑free for 54 countries is extended through December 31, 2026 (Russia until September 14, 2026; Brunei indefinite). Bilateral agreements and regional programs remain in force. Always verify via the National Immigration Administration (NIA) official website (nia.gov.cn) or the "移民局12367" App/mini‑program before travel.
China's immigration framework is no longer built around a single visa pathway. Travelers now enter through overlapping systems including unilateral visa‑free programs, bilateral exemption agreements, regional entry schemes, and the expanded 240‑hour transit mechanism. Understanding which passport belongs to which category is now more important than understanding the visa application itself.
01 / 30‑Day Unilateral Visa‑Free Countries
Holders of ordinary passports from the following countries can enter mainland China without applying for a visa in advance. The policy generally allows tourism, business visits, family visits, exchange activities, and transit for stays up to 30 days. Entry is permitted through all open ports.
Europe (35 countries)
🇫🇷 France · 🇩🇪 Germany · 🇮🇹 Italy · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · 🇪🇸 Spain · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · 🇮🇪 Ireland · 🇭🇺 Hungary · 🇦🇹 Austria · 🇧🇪 Belgium · 🇱🇺 Luxembourg · 🇵🇱 Poland · 🇸🇮 Slovenia · 🇵🇹 Portugal · 🇬🇷 Greece · 🇨🇾 Cyprus · 🇸🇰 Slovakia · 🇳🇴 Norway · 🇫🇮 Finland · 🇩🇰 Denmark · 🇮🇸 Iceland · 🇦🇩 Andorra · 🇲🇨 Monaco · 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein · 🇧🇬 Bulgaria · 🇷🇴 Romania · 🇭🇷 Croatia · 🇲🇪 Montenegro · 🇲🇰 North Macedonia · 🇲🇹 Malta · 🇪🇪 Estonia · 🇱🇻 Latvia · 🇷🇺 Russia* · 🇸🇪 Sweden · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
* Russia valid until September 14, 2026. All others extended through December 31, 2026.
Asia (7 countries)
🇯🇵 Japan · 🇰🇷 South Korea · 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia · 🇴🇲 Oman · 🇰🇼 Kuwait · 🇧🇭 Bahrain · 🇧🇳 Brunei (indefinite)
Oceania (2 countries)
🇦🇺 Australia · 🇳🇿 New Zealand
Americas (11 countries)
🇺🇸 United States · 🇨🇦 Canada · 🇧🇷 Brazil · 🇦🇷 Argentina · 🇨🇱 Chile · 🇵🇪 Peru · 🇺🇾 Uruguay · 🇲🇽 Mexico · 🇨🇺 Cuba · 🇵🇦 Panama · 🇪🇨 Ecuador
02 / Bilateral Mutual Visa‑Free Countries (Ordinary Passports)
China has signed reciprocal visa exemption agreements with the following countries for ordinary passport holders. Stays generally range from 30 to 90 days. Always confirm the exact duration before travel.
| Region | Countries | Stay Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Asia | 🇹🇭 Thailand · 🇸🇬 Singapore · 🇲🇻 Maldives | 30 Days |
| Middle East | 🇦🇪 UAE · 🇶🇦 Qatar | 30 Days |
| Central Asia / Caucasus | 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan · 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan · 🇬🇪 Georgia · 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan (eff. July 16, 2025) | 30 Days |
| Europe | 🇷🇸 Serbia · 🇦🇱 Albania · 🇸🇲 San Marino | 30 Days |
| Other Regions | 🇲🇺 Mauritius · 🇫🇯 Fiji · 🇸🇨 Seychelles · 🇧🇧 Barbados · 🇧🇸 Bahamas · 🇬🇩 Grenada · 🇪🇨 Ecuador · 🇹🇴 Tonga · 🇦🇲 Armenia · 🇸🇷 Suriname · 🇩🇲 Dominica · 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda · 🇸🇧 Solomon Islands · 🇼🇸 Samoa | 30–90 Days |
03 / 240‑Hour Transit Without Visa (TWOV)
China’s expanded 240‑hour transit policy allows citizens of 55 eligible countries to stay in designated regions for up to 10 days without a visa, provided they hold confirmed onward tickets to a third country or region.
For a complete list of eligible nationalities, permitted ports of entry, activity area maps, and legal restrictions, please refer to the dedicated “China 240‑Hour Transit Guide”.
04 / Regional Visa‑Free Programs
Beyond nationwide policies, China operates geographically isolated visa‑free entry schemes designed for tourism and regional development.
| Region | Stay | Eligible Travelers | Key Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hainan | 30 Days | 59 Countries | Travel limited to Hainan Province. Permitted purposes: tourism, business, visits, medical treatment, exhibitions, sports. Stay counted from midnight after arrival. |
| Guangdong (Pearl River Delta) | 144 Hours | Foreign tourists (any nationality) holding Hong Kong/Macau group visas, organized by licensed travel agencies (≥2 persons) | Valid for 10 cities: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Huizhou, Shantou. Must enter and exit as a group via Hong Kong or Macau. |
| Guilin (Guangxi) | 144 Hours (6 Days) | ASEAN nationals traveling in organized groups | Activity restricted to Guilin administrative area. Entry/exit only through Guilin Airport. Group tour only. |
05 / Before You Fly – Essential Requirements
Passport Validity
While Chinese regulations generally require that a passport be “valid for the intended period of stay,” airlines often apply a 6‑month validity rule to avoid boarding denial. We strongly recommend that your passport remain valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date.
Online e‑Arrival Card (Mandatory for all entrants)
Since November 2025, all foreign nationals (including visa‑free travelers) must complete an electronic arrival card before arrival. Submit the form within 24 hours prior to entry via the NIA website, “移民局12367” App, WeChat/Alipay mini‑program, or airport QR codes. Save the generated QR code for scanning at the immigration kiosk.
24‑Hour Direct Transit – A Separate Option
All airports in China allow 24‑hour visa‑free transit for any nationality, provided you hold a confirmed connecting ticket and do not leave the airport’s international transit area. This is distinct from the 240‑hour program and requires no prior application.
Unlimited Visa‑Free Entries
Under current policies, eligible travelers may use visa‑free entry multiple times without a cooldown period. There is no limit on the number of visa‑free entries per year, as long as each stay complies with the allowed duration.
🎒 VoyRay Pro Tip
Many travelers mistakenly assume that a 240‑hour transit permit allows unrestricted nationwide movement. It does not. The 240‑hour transit policy has its own geographic boundaries (24 provinces) and port restrictions. For complete details, always consult the dedicated China 240‑Hour Transit Guide before planning any domestic travel beyond your entry region.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Always verify with official NIA channels before travel. Last updated: June 2026.
