Quick answer

If you hold an ordinary passport from one of the 50 countries on China's unilateral visa-free list, you can enter mainland China without a visa for business, tourism, visiting family or friends, exchange visits or transit, and stay up to 30 days. The 30 days start from 00:00 on the day after you enter. For most listed countries the policy currently runs until December 31, 2026. Work, study and journalism still need a visa.

This is different from the 240-hour visa-free transit, which requires an onward ticket to a third country or region and limits where you can go.

If this happens, do this

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Situation What to do next
Your passport country is on the list below Check the policy end date for your country and your passport validity, then book. No advance declaration to an embassy is needed.
Your country is not on the list (for example, the United States) Check whether the 240-hour transit rule fits your route, check any mutual visa-exemption agreement, or apply for a visa.
You want to stay longer than 30 days Apply for the right visa before travel. If a valid reason arises after entry, apply for a stay permit at a local public security exit-entry office.
You travel on an emergency or temporary travel document Visa-free entry does not apply; get a visa.
You are going to work, study or report news Visa-free entry does not apply; get the corresponding visa.

Which passports qualify (50 countries)

According to the National Immigration Administration (NIA) list and Shanghai's official visa-free page (updated August 26, 2026):

  • Europe (35): 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
  • Oceania (2): Australia, New Zealand
  • Asia (7): Bahrain, Brunei, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia
  • Americas (6): Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Uruguay

The UK and Canada were added from 00:00 on February 17, 2026 (Beijing time).

How long the policy lasts

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Passport Policy in effect until
Brunei No expiry date set
Russia December 31, 2027
The other 48 countries December 31, 2026 (24:00 Beijing time)

If your trip runs into 2027, re-check the official list before you fly: the policy has been extended before, but an extension is not guaranteed until it is announced.

How the 30 days are counted

The stay is counted from 00:00 on the day after your entry date and runs for 30 calendar days. Example: if you enter on March 1, day 1 is March 2. Plan to leave with a buffer rather than on the last possible day, and follow any date recorded by the border officer.

You may enter visa-free multiple times. Officials currently state there is no limit on the number of entries or total days, but each visit must match a permitted purpose.

Before you fly: checklist

  1. Confirm your passport type. Only ordinary passports qualify; travel documents, temporary or emergency passports do not.
  2. Check validity. Your passport must be valid for at least the length of your intended stay. Airlines and transit countries may have stricter rules, so check with your airline too.
  3. Check the end date for your nationality in the table above.
  4. Save supporting documents offline: return or onward ticket, hotel bookings, and an invitation letter if you are visiting for business or a conference. Officials recommend carrying these as proof of purpose; they are not a formal visa application.
  5. Fill in the arrival card online (free). Since November 20, 2025, foreigners can submit the arrival card before travel through the NIA's official website, the "NIA 12367" app, or the WeChat/Alipay mini-programs. If you cannot do it in advance, use the QR code or smart devices at the port, or a paper card.
  6. Book places to stay that can register you. Hotels register foreign guests at check-in. For a private home or rental, separate accommodation registration is required.

Avoid arrival card scams

The NIA has warned about counterfeit websites charging fees for the arrival card. The official service is free of charge. Use only the official page (https://s.nia.gov.cn/ArrivalCardFillingPC/) or the official apps and mini-programs listed above. Do not pay a third-party site for an "entry permit" or "China arrival card".

At the border

Border inspection officers decide admission. They may ask about the purpose of your visit and your plans. Answer clearly and have your return ticket and accommodation details ready on your phone and, ideally, on paper. Entry can be refused if your purpose does not match the visa waiver or if other legal grounds apply.

The visa waiver applies at air, sea and land ports open to foreigners, whether you travel alone or with a tour group. You can fly in from any country, not only your home country.

During your stay

  • Keep your passport with you; hotels, train tickets and many attractions need it. See hotel check-in in China.
  • Staying with friends or in a rental? Read non-hotel accommodation registration.
  • Lose your passport? Report it and contact your embassy. Officials say you may be able to exit with a replacement or emergency document if your entry record is verified and you have not overstayed. See lost passport in China.

FAQ

Do I need to register with a Chinese embassy before travelling visa-free?

No. Eligible travellers do not need to declare in advance to Chinese embassies or consulates.

Can children use the visa waiver?

Yes. Requirements for minors are the same as for adults.

Can I attend a conference, trade fair or sports event visa-free?

Yes, if the stay is no more than 30 days and you hold a valid ordinary passport. Sports competitions, conferences and exhibitions, and study tours (summer/winter camps) are covered.

Can I extend the 30 days inside China?

The visa waiver itself is not extended automatically. If you have appropriate and sufficient reasons to stay longer after entering, apply for a stay permit at the exit-entry administration of the local public security bureau.

Does visa-free entry cover Hong Kong and Macao?

This policy is for mainland China. Hong Kong and Macao have their own entry rules; check them separately.

Disclaimer

Visa and entry policies can change at short notice. Treat this guide as a source-checked summary, then verify your eligibility with the official NIA or Ministry of Foreign Affairs pages, your airline, or a Chinese embassy or consulate before you travel. Border authorities make the final decision on entry.

Sources and review

Sources reviewed on 2026-10-27. These sources support the policy facts; the practical checklist steps are editorial guidance. This is not a recorded field test.