China continues to expand its visa-free and transit policies, making it easier for international travelers to explore the country. Whether you are planning a short-term visit, a business trip, or a scenic road trip, understanding the latest visa exemptions and entry regulations is essential. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the current visa-free countries, mutual visa-exemption agreements, and temporary transit policies, updated for 2026.

Important Notes Before Reading:

• Information updated as of February 2026
• Applies to holders of ordinary passports only; other passport types should confirm with the Chinese embassies or the National Immigration Administration
• Visa policies may change. This article is based on official announcements from Chinese visa and immigration authorities. Travelers are advised to confirm requirements with Chinese Embassies or the National Immigration Administration before departure.

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Unilateral Visa-Free Countries (Most are valid until December 31, 2026 unless otherwise specified)

Ordinary passport holders from the following countries can enter China visa-free for business, tourism, family visits, cultural exchange, or transit not exceeding 30 days. Activities such as employment, long-term study, journalism, or residence are not permitted and still require an appropriate visa.

Brunei (no fixed validity), France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Russia (valid until September 14, 2026), Sweden, Canada, United Kingdom

Mutual Visa-Exemption Agreements

Under bilateral agreements, ordinary passport holders from the following countries can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.

San Marino, Seychelles, Mauritius, Bahamas, Fiji, Grenada, Ecuador, Tonga, Serbia, Barbados, UAE, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus, Qatar, Armenia, Suriname, Maldives, Dominica, Albania, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Thailand, Antigua and Barbuda, Georgia, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Malaysia

240-Hour Transit Visa-Free

Ordinary passport holders from the following countries (passport validity ≥3 months) with confirmed onward tickets to a third country can enter China visa-free for up to 240 hours at 65 open ports across 24 provinces (contact us for detailed port and staying areas). During the stay, travelers may engage in tourism, business, visiting family, and similar activities, but working, studying, or journalism is prohibited. Travelers must register accommodation within 24 hours of entry. Overstays or exceeding the permitted area require a prior application for a temporary stay permit.

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway, United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, UAE, Qatar, Indonesia

24-Hour Transit Visa-Free

All open ports in China allow travelers from any country to enter visa-free for up to 24 hours when traveling to a third country with valid onward tickets.
Must remain within the port area unless temporary entry permission is obtained

Regional Visa-Free Policies

Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free – Ordinary passport holders from 59 countries – including Russia, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Norway, Ukraine, Italy, Austria, Finland, Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, UAE, Qatar, Monaco, Belarus – can enter Hainan visa-free for up to 30 days for short-term visits related to tourism, business, family visits, medical treatment, conventions, or sporting events. Work and study are excluded.

The visa-free entry applies only to Hainan Province, through any of its open entry points. Maximum stay is 30 days.

Cruise Group Visa-Free – Foreign cruise groups (2 or more passengers) organized by travel agencies within China can enter visa-free through 13 designated cruise ports, including Tianjin, Dalian (Liaoning), Shanghai, Lianyungang (Jiangsu), Wenzhou and Zhoushan (Zhejiang), Xiamen (Fujian), Qingdao (Shandong), Guangzhou and Shenzhen (Guangdong), Beihai (Guangxi), and Haikou and Sanya (Hainan).

The cruise group must stay together on the same cruise vessel until the end of the itinerary. Activities are permitted across 11 coastal provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities—Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan—as well as Beijing.

Maximum stay is 15 days.

ASEAN Tourism Group – Yunnan Xishuangbanna – Tour groups from ASEAN countries – Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia – consisting of 2 or more passengers holding ordinary passports, organized by travel agencies within China, can enter visa-free under a group entry and exit arrangement. Entry is allowed via Gasa International Airport, Mohan Railway Port, or Mohan Road Port in Xishuangbanna.

The permitted activity area is Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province, and the maximum stay is 6 days.

ASEAN Tourism Groups – Guilin, Guangxi – Tour groups from ASEAN countries – Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia – consisting of 2 or more passengers holding ordinary passports, organized by travel agencies within China, can enter visa-free under a group entry and exit arrangement. Entry is allowed via Guilin Airport.

The permitted activity area is Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and the maximum stay is 6 days.

Hong Kong & Macau – Guangdong Free Entry for Foreign Tour Groups – Citizens from countries with diplomatic relations with China, holding ordinary passports, who arrive via Hong Kong or Macau, and travel in groups of 2 or more passengers organized by travel agencies registered in Hong Kong or Macau, can enter visa-free to visit 9 cities in the Greater Bay Area plus Shantou.

The activity area includes Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhaoqing, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Huizhou, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, and Shantou, with entry and exit via the designated ports in these 10 cities. Maximum stay is 6 days.

Hong Kong & Macau – Hainan Free Entry for Foreign Tour Groups – Citizens from countries with diplomatic relations with China, holding ordinary passports, who arrive via Hong Kong or Macau, and travel in groups of 2 or more passengers organized by travel agencies registered in Hong Kong or Macau, can enter Hainan Province visa-free for tourism.

The permitted activity area is all of Hainan Province, with entry and exit via any open port in Hainan. Maximum stay is 6 days.

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