Short answer: it depends on your nationality. Citizens of 50 countries can enter mainland China without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchange visits or transit. A further group of travellers can enter visa-free for up to 10 days (240 hours) when transiting to a third country. Everyone else needs a visa before departure.
| Your situation | Do you need a visa? |
|---|---|
| You hold a passport from one of the 50 visa-free countries and will stay 30 days or fewer | No visa needed |
| You are transiting to a third country and hold a passport from one of the 57 transit-eligible countries | No visa needed (up to 240 hours / 10 days) |
| You are entering Hainan Province and hold a passport from one of the 61 Hainan-eligible countries | No visa needed (up to 30 days, Hainan only) |
| You want to work, study or report news in China | Yes — visa required in advance |
| You plan to stay longer than 30 days | Yes — visa required in advance |
| Your country is not on any of the lists above | Yes — visa required in advance |
Which countries can enter China visa-free for 30 days?
Ordinary passport holders from the following 50 countries may enter China without a visa for up to 30 days. The policy currently runs until 31 December 2026.
Europe: 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.
Asia: Brunei, Japan, South Korea.
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand.
Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Uruguay.
Middle East: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia.
The United Kingdom and Canada were added on 17 February 2026. Expiry dates differ by country — Russia's runs until 31 December 2027.
Also visa-free under bilateral agreements: China holds mutual visa-exemption agreements with several countries not on the list above, including Singapore (in force since 9 February 2024) and Malaysia (in force since 17 July 2025). Their citizens also enter visa-free for up to 30 days.
I am American. Do I need a visa?
US citizens are not on the 30-day visa-free list, so a tourist or business visa is required for a normal trip to China. Americans do qualify for the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit when travelling on to a third country — so Los Angeles → Beijing → Tokyo works without a visa, while a round trip Los Angeles → Beijing → Los Angeles does not.
I am British, Canadian or Australian. Do I need a visa?
No. Holders of ordinary British and Canadian passports may enter China visa-free for up to 30 days since 17 February 2026; Australian and New Zealand passport holders are also on the list. These run to 31 December 2026.
What if I want to stay longer than 30 days, or work or study?
You need a visa. Visa-free entry covers tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchange visits and transit only. Employment, study and journalism all require the appropriate visa obtained before you travel, even if your nationality appears on a visa-free list.
Not sure which rule applies to you? Visa lists are revised several times a year. Send us your nationality, trip length and travel purpose and we will confirm your entry route — and prepare an invitation letter if you need one. Contact our team →
Last updated: 10 September 2026. Source: National Immigration Administration of China.
