China Visa-Free Entry 2026: Guide to Eligible Countries and Rules

Planning a trip to China? Great news – as of November 2025, visiting is easier than ever thanks to China’s expanded visa-free entry policies. Travelers from many eligible countries can now enter China without applying for a visa, with stay durations ranging from 24 hours, 6 days, 10 days, to 30 days, depending on the travel purpose and destination.

Whether you’re stopping over in major cities, exploring the tropical island of Hainan province, arriving by cruise in Shanghai, or traveling under the China’s unilateral 30-day visa-free policy for 47 countries (valid through end of 2026), China offers international traveler many ways to experience its culture, nature, and history with easy visa-free travel.

In this updated 2026 guide, we’ll discuss all the main visa free policies. We will explain who qualifies, how long you can stay, and how to make the most of your visa-free trip to China.

The China visa-free policy mainly applies to 9 groups of people, including:

24/240 Hour(10-day) China Visa-Free Transit Policy

China’s visa-free transit policy makes it simple for travelers en route to a third country to enter and stay temporarily without applying for a visa in advance. Depending on nationality and itinerary, eligible travelers can stay for 24 hours or up to 240 hours (10 days) in designated cities or provinces. This offers a perfect chance to experience China’s dynamic urban life, cuisine, and cultural highlights during a layover..

24-hour China Visa-Free Transit Policy

Travelers of any nationality can stay in China for up to 24 hours without a visa when transiting to a third country or region by air, sea, or rail. During this time, passengers are generally required to remain within the airport or port’s designated transit area.

Those with longer layovers may apply for a Temporary Entry Permit upon arrival, which allows a short city visit during transit. Approval is at the discretion of Chinese immigration officers and depends on factors such as layover duration and port regulations.

Important Notes:

• You must have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region.
• Major airports such as Beijing Capital (PEK) and Shanghai Pudong (PVG) generally offer smoother permit procedures.
• For very short layovers (e.g., <8 hours), a Temporary Entry Permit is usually not issued unless emergencies.

240-hour (10 day) China Visa-Free Transit Policy

Since December 17, 2024, China has significantly expanded its visa-free transit policy, allowing visitors from 55 countries to stay up to 240 hours (10 days) when traveling to a third country or region. Eligible travelers can enter through 60 ports across 24 provinces and municipalities, and are permitted to move between multiple regions during their stay.

Popular participating countries include the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Indonesia, and Russia, among others. This expansion makes China an increasingly flexible and attractive destination for short-term travelers and business visitors.

Read the full guide to China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy.

29 countries with mutual visa exemption agreements with China

China has signed mutual visa exemption agreements with more than 150 countries, allowing eligible citizens to enter China without a visa under certain conditions. For most countries, these agreements only cover diplomatic or official passports, but a growing number now include ordinary passport holders as well.

30-Day Visa-Free Countries under Mutual Agreements with China

As of June 2025, citizens from 29 countries can travel to China visa-free for up to 30 days for purposes such as tourism, business, family visits, or cultural exchange.

These include destinations across Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Georgia. These partnerships make travel between China and these countries smoother and more accessible, strengthening cultural exchange and tourism ties.

For the full list of all 29 countries with mutual visa-exemption agreements and their effective dates, see our detailed guide: China 30-Day Visa-Free Countries (2026 Update)

Visa-free travel for tour groups from 6 countries 

Some of China’s mutual visa-exemption agreements also extend to organized tour groups, allowing citizens from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Russia, Georgia, Moldova, and Turkmenistan to visit China without individual visas.

In most cases, groups must include at least five travelers, be arranged through approved travel agencies, and may stay in China for up to 30 days. There are generally no restrictions on travel routes or destinations within the country, however, it is essential that the tours are organized by certain designated agencies as specified in the agreements.

30-Day Unilateral China Visa-Free Entry Policy for 47 Countries (mostly valid untill Dec 31 2026)

China’s unilateral 30-day visa-free entry policy was first introduced after the pandemic to make travel easier for international visitors and boost tourism. The program has since expanded significantly, allowing citizens from 47 countries to enter China without applying for a visa for purposes such as tourism, business, family visits, or cultural exchange.

As of November 2025, travelers from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, and newly added countrySweden, among others, can enjoy visa-free stays in China until December 31, 2026.

This expansion marks one of China’s most welcoming travel policies in recent years, opening the door for more travelers to visit China. For the complete list of China’s unilateral 30-day visa-free countries, see our detailed page: China 30-Day Visa-Free Countries (2026 Update)

Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free Access (59 countries)

Starting February 9, 2024, China expanded its visa-free entry policy for ordinary passport holders from 59 countries to Hainan Province, allowing visitors to enter for a variety of purposes, including tourism, business, trade, family visits, medical treatment, exhibitions, and sports competitions (excluding work and study). Travelers can stay for up to 30 days within the administrative area of Hainan Province, starting from 00:00 the day after entry. Access is available through any of Hainan’s international ports, such as Haikou Meilan International Airport, Sanya Fenghuang International Airport, Qionghai Boao Airport, Yangpu Port, Haikou Port, Qinglan Port, Basuo Port, and Sanya Port. Entry can be made via direct international flights, transit through a third country, or via Hong Kong or Macao.

To extend their stay or travel to other parts of China for legitimate purposes, travelers must apply for a visa at the exit-entry administrations of Hainan’s public security authorities before their visa-free period expires, with supporting documentation. If any of the eligible countries has a mutual visa exemption agreement with China, the provisions of that agreement take precedence. Travelers may choose the most applicable visa exemption policy if multiple options are available.

Eligible Countries:

The 59 countries eligible for Hainan’s visa-free entry policy include 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, Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Monaco, and Belarus.

About Hainan: Hainan, China’s only tropical island province, is a premier tourist destination and a special economic zone. Renowned for its tropical rainforests, pristine beaches, and luxurious resorts, Hainan also hosts world-class events such as the Boao Forum for Asia, the China International Consumer Products Expo, and the Hainan Island International Film Festival. Visitors can enjoy activities like surfing, rainforest tours, and yacht rides, making it an idyllic getaway.

As home to the world’s largest free trade port, Hainan implements policies that promote zero tariffs, low tax rates, and simplified tax systems, facilitating the free flow of trade, investment, and transportation while fostering global collaboration and innovation.

15-Day Visa-Free Policy for International Cruise Tour Groups to Shanghai

The Shanghai 15-Day Visa-Free Policy allows cruise tour groups from around the world to visit Shanghai and other Chinese coastal provinces for up to 15 days without a visa.

Eligibility Requirements

• Tour groups must enter Shanghai via a cruise ship at either the Shanghai Port International Passenger Terminal or the Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal and exit China using the same cruise ship.
• The group must consist of at least two members.
• A local Chinese travel agency will handle the required official paperwork upon the tourists’ arrival.

Allowed Travel and Conditions

• Tourists can travel with the cruise ship to other coastal cities and provinces for up to 15 days, including Beijing, Liaoning, Hebei, Tianjin, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan.
• The visa-free stay begins on the day after arrival.
• Tourists are allowed to travel within the cities where the cruise ship docks and neighboring cities.
• Travel to cities or regions outside the specified provinces and regions is not allowed.

This policy makes it easier for cruise passengers to explore Shanghai and other coastal regions, offering a convenient option to experience China without the need for a visa.

6-Day Visa Exemption for Tourists for Pearl River Delta

Citizens from countries that have established diplomatic relations with China and are traveling as part of a tourist group organized by a registered travel agency in Hong Kong or Macao can enjoy visa-free travel to the 9 mainland Chinese cities in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region. These cities include Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, and Huizhou. The visa-free stay is allowed for a duration of up to 6 days. Additionally, this policy also extends to tour groups visiting Shantou in Guangdong Province, as long as their activities remain within the administrative area of Shantou.

To qualify for this visa-free policy, the tour group must depart from either Hong Kong or Macao.

6-Day Visa Exemption for ASEAN Tour Groups Visiting Guilin

Tour groups from ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Myanmar, Brunei, and the Philippines, are eligible for a visa exemption when visiting Guilin. This visa-free policy allows them to stay in Guilin for a duration of 6 days. To qualify, the tour groups must enter and exit from Guilin Liangjiang Airport, and their tour activities are required to be arranged by local travel agencies in Guilin.

During the 6-day period, all members of the tour groups are required to remain within Guilin and cannot travel outside the city.

Holders of APEC Business Travel Card

Holders of a valid Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card (ABTC) can enter China multiple times within the card’s validity period for business purposes for periods of up to 60 days at a time. The ABTC is valid for five years and functions as a five-year multi-entry visa.

Only citizens of the 21 APEC member economies are eligible for the ABTC. These economies include Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.

Please note that while Canada and the US offer ABTCs, they only provide fast-track immigration processing and do not offer reciprocal entry arrangements with China. ABTC holders from the US and Canada are not eligible to enter China directly without a visa, and vice versa.

Holders of China Aliens’ Residence Permit

Holders of Aliens’ Residence Permit are entitled to multiple entries into and exits from China within the period of the permit’s validity without the need to apply for another visa. This permit is applicable to foreigners who enter China for study on an X1 visa, for work on a Z visa, or for resident foreign journalists.

Upon their entry into China, individuals falling under these categories must apply for the Aliens’ Residence Permit at the local public security bureau within 30 days. Once issued, the Residence Permit allows them to freely travel in and out of China for multiple times during its validity period, making it convenient for them to carry out their study, work, or journalistic activities without the hassle of obtaining additional visas.