Source: National Immigration Administration of China (国家移民管理局) — Updated February 17, 2026
Overview
China offers several visa-free routes for foreign nationals: unilateral visa-free entry (up to 30 days), mutual (bilateral) visa-exemption agreements (commonly up to 30 days), and transit visa-free arrangements (24 hours or 240 hours). The applicable scheme depends on your nationality, purpose of visit, and whether you are transiting to a third country.
1. Unilateral Visa-Free Entry (Up to 30 Days)
As of February 17, 2026, China grants visa-free access to nationals from 50 countries holding ordinary passports, for purposes including business, tourism, visiting family, exchanges, and transit stays not exceeding 30 days. The permitted stay is calculated from midnight of the day following arrival.
Eligible Countries
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
Oceania (2 countries) Australia, New Zealand
Asia (7 countries) Brunei, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain
Americas (6 countries) Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Canada
Note: Holders of ordinary passports from the above countries may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, family visits, exchanges, or transit, for a maximum stay of 30 days.
📋 Check the official list: this roster changes from time to time — confirm the current, authoritative set on the National Immigration Administration’s list of countries covered by unilateral visa exemption.
1b. Mutual (Bilateral) Visa-Exemption Agreements
Separately from the unilateral list above, China has reciprocal visa-exemption agreements with a number of countries. Ordinary-passport holders from these can also enter China visa-free — most for up to 30 days per visit (a couple allow longer), usually capped at 90 days cumulatively per 180 days.
30-day visa-free (ordinary passports): Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Serbia, San Marino, Mauritius, Seychelles, Ecuador, Suriname, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Bahamas, Dominica, Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Samoa.
Longer: Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina allow up to 90 days.
So if you hold a Singapore, Thai or Malaysian passport (among others), you can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days even though your country isn’t on the unilateral list above — under a separate reciprocal agreement.
Terms and durations vary by country, so confirm the current rules for your nationality on the official NIA mutual visa-exemption list.
2. Transit Visa-Free Policies
2a. 24-Hour Transit Visa-Free
All officially open ports in China apply a 24-hour transit visa-free policy for nationals of all countries. Foreign travelers holding a valid international travel document and a confirmed onward ticket may transit through China without a visa, provided they are traveling on an international flight, ship, or train to a third country or region, stay in China for no more than 24 hours, and do not leave the port’s designated area. Those who need to leave the designated port area must apply for a temporary entry permit from the border inspection authority at the port.
2b. 240-Hour (10-Day) Transit Visa-Free
China currently applies the 240-hour transit visa-free policy to 55 countries, including the United States, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Eligible travelers holding a valid international travel document and a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region may enter China visa-free through any of 65 open ports across 24 provinces, and may stay and travel within the designated areas for up to 10 days.
During the 240-hour transit stay, travelers may engage in tourism, business, visits, and family reunions. Activities that require prior approval — such as employment, study, and journalism — still require a valid visa.
Countries Eligible for 240-Hour Transit Visa-Free
Europe (40 countries) 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
Americas (6 countries) United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
Oceania (2 countries) Australia, New Zealand
Asia (7 countries) South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, UAE, Qatar, Indonesia
Permitted Activities
| Activity | Visa-Free (30-day) | 240-Hour Transit |
|---|---|---|
| Tourism | ✅ | ✅ |
| Business meetings | ✅ | ✅ |
| Family visits | ✅ | ✅ |
| Academic exchanges | ✅ | ✅ |
| Employment | ❌ Requires visa | ❌ Requires visa |
| Study | ❌ Requires visa | ❌ Requires visa |
| Journalism / reporting | ❌ Requires visa | ❌ Requires visa |
Important Notes
- All policies apply to holders of ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports.
- The 240-hour transit policy requires a confirmed onward ticket to a third country.
- Entry must be through one of the 65 open ports for the 240-hour transit scheme.
- Travelers should verify their eligibility based on current diplomatic arrangements, as policies are subject to change.
- For the most up-to-date information, consult the National Immigration Administration of China or your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate.
Sources: National Immigration Administration of China — Transit Visa-Free Policy | Unilateral Visa-Free Country List
