China 30-Day Visa-Free Countries (2026): All 50 Listed

Last verified: 2026-11-03.

Sources are China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) and Chinese embassies, with their dates. Policies can change at short notice; the NIA has the final word.

⚠️ Deadline: 31 December 2026. For 48 of the 50 countries below, China's 30-day unilateral visa-free policy is currently stated to run until 31 December 2026. Russia: until 31 Dec 2027. Brunei: no end date (Chinese Embassy in Switzerland, FAQ, 19 Aug 2026). As of 3 Nov 2026 we have not found an official announcement extending it beyond 2026. If you travel in 2027, re-check the NIA before booking; we will update this page when an announcement appears.

The short version

• 50 countries, ordinary passports only, up to 30 days per entry (NIA list, as of 17 Feb 2026).
• Allowed purposes: business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchange visits, and transit (NIA, 17 Feb 2026). Sports events, trade fairs and study tours (summer/winter camps) of up to 30 days are also covered (Embassy in Switzerland, 19 Aug 2026).
• Not allowed: work, study (longer courses), news reporting (same source).
• The 30 days are counted from the day after entry, for 30 calendar days (NIA, 17 Feb 2026).
• Not on the list: the United States (and Mexico, Singapore and many others; some of these have other options, see below).

The full list (50 countries)

Compiled by the NIA from Ministry of Foreign Affairs information, as of 17 Feb 2026 (NIA); end dates from the Chinese Embassy in Switzerland, 19 Aug 2026.

Not on this list, but often confused:

• United States: not included (NIA, 17 Feb 2026). US citizens can use 240-hour visa-free transit if their route qualifies, or apply for a visa.
• Czech Republic, Lithuania, Serbia, Ukraine, Mexico and others: not on the 30-day unilateral list, but most are on the 240-hour transit list (NIA, 20 Aug 2026). Serbia also has a separate mutual visa-exemption agreement with China; check the terms with the Chinese embassy.
• Mutual visa-exemption agreements (a separate scheme, for example with some ASEAN and Gulf countries) are not covered here. Their rules prevail where they apply (NIA, 3 Nov 2025).
• Hainan's own 30-day visa-free entry is a separate, Hainan-only scheme. In Aug 2026 the NIA added Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam to it (NIA Announcement No. 4 of 2026, Chinese). It does not let you travel elsewhere in China.

How the 30 days are counted

"The duration of stay without a visa is calculated from the next day of entry and lasts for 30 calendar days" (Embassy in Switzerland, 19 Aug 2026).

Note on trips that cross 31 Dec 2026: we have not found an official statement on whether someone who enters visa-free before 31 Dec 2026 may stay into 2027. Ask the NIA (hotline 12367, +86 12367 from abroad) or your Chinese embassy before relying on it. Unverified.

What to carry at the border

Officers check that your purpose matches the policy. The embassy recommends carrying proof such as invitation letters, air tickets and hotel bookings (Embassy in Switzerland, 19 Aug 2026). Our checklist:

• Ordinary passport valid for at least the length of your stay (same source). Travel documents, temporary or emergency passports are not accepted for visa-free entry. Airlines often ask for 6 months' validity in practice; check with yours.
• Return or onward ticket and hotel bookings (recommended, not stated as mandatory).
• Arrival card, which you can fill in online before you fly (NIA, 3 Nov 2025). Fill it in at the NIA online arrival card.

Rules worth knowing

• Any departure country: you can fly in from any country, not only your country of nationality (Embassy in Switzerland).
• Any open port: air, sea and land ports open to foreigners, unless rules say otherwise (same).
• Multiple entries: allowed; there is currently no limit on the number of entries or total days, but your activities must match the purpose of entry (same).
• Children: same conditions as adults (same).
• Tour groups or independent: both fine (same).
• No pre-registration with an embassy is needed (same).
• Staying longer than 30 days: get the right visa before travelling. If a valid reason arises after entry, apply for a stay permit at a local public security exit-entry office (same).
• Accommodation registration: hotels do it for you. In a private home you or your host must register within 24 hours, now possible online nationwide (NIA Announcement No. 7 of 2026, 21 Sep 2026).
• Lost passport: you can leave on an emergency travel document from your embassy if your entry record checks out and you have not overstayed (Embassy in Switzerland).

Which policy should I use?

FAQ

Is the United Kingdom on the 30-day visa-free list? Yes, until 31 Dec 2026 (Embassy in Switzerland, 19 Aug 2026).

Is Canada on the list? Yes, until 31 Dec 2026 (same source).

Do US passport holders get 30 days visa-free? No. The US is not on the list (NIA, 17 Feb 2026). Use 240-hour transit or a visa.

Will the policy be extended after 2026? Unknown as of 3 Nov 2026: we have found no official announcement about 2027 yet. Check the NIA news page closer to your trip.

Can I go to Hong Kong and come back to restart the 30 days? The embassy says there is currently no limit on entries or total days (Embassy in Switzerland), but border officers decide each entry and repeated "visa runs" can be questioned.

Can I work remotely on a visa-free entry? Work is not a permitted purpose. The policy covers business, tourism, visits, exchanges and transit only.

Related guides

• China 240-hour visa-free transit: full rules
• 30-day visa-free deadline countdown
• How to pay in China

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