Visiting China itself · no visa, up to 30 days
China 30-Day Visa-Free Entry
If your country is on China's visa-free list, ordinary-passport holders can enter for tourism, business, family or exchange — and short transit — without a visa. This is for visiting China, not for passing through to a third country.
Not sure? Use the entry path tool →
What 30-day visa-free entry is
China lets ordinary-passport holders from listed countries enter without a visa. Most use the unilateral visa-free policy; some countries also have a mutual visa-exemption treaty.
Unilateral visa-free, up to 30 days
Ordinary-passport travelers from eligible countries can come to China for business, tourism, visiting family or friends, exchange visits — and short transit — for up to 30 days, without applying for a visa. You do not need to prove onward travel to a third country. The 30 days are counted from the day after you enter.
Visiting China, or passing through?
Visa-free covers more than one thing. The 30-day policy and the 240-hour transit policy are different routes with different rules — and different country lists.
30-day visa-free entry
- For visiting China itself — tourism, business, family, exchange, and short transit
- Ordinary passport required; other travel documents can differ
- Up to 30 calendar days, counted from the day after entry
- Nationality list and effective dates must be verified on the official source
240-hour transit visa-free
- Only when you continue to a third country/region
- Requires a confirmed onward ticket (A → China → B)
- Up to 240 hours, port-restricted
- Different country list and stay-area rules
Example: if your passport is not on the 30-day visa-free list, a genuine A → China → B itinerary may still qualify for 240-hour transit. Verify both policies separately.
Who qualifies for 30-day visa-free
All of the conditions below apply together. If any one is not met, you likely need a regular visa.
Unlike the transit policy, you do not need to prove onward travel to a third country to use 30-day visa-free entry.
What you can and cannot do
Eligible purposes
- Tourism & sightseeing
- Business meetings & trade
- Visiting family or friends
- Exchange & short visits
- Short transit through China
Not covered
- Working or paid activities
- Studying / long-term enrolment
- Journalism & reporting
- Commercial performances
- Any stay over 30 days
Which countries are visa-free?
50 countries on the unilateral 30-day list as of Feb 2026. Policy updates happen without advance notice — confirm your passport on the official source before booking.
Europe
30-day unilateral · 34 countries
Asia-Pacific
30-day unilateral · Brunei: no stated expiry
Americas
30-day unilateral · 6 countries
Middle East
30-day unilateral · 4 countries
Other
Valid until 2027-12-31 per MFA update · verify before travel
Source: china-embassy-us-visa-free-faq-2026. Russia valid until 2027-12-31 per MFA update. Always verify current status on your country's Chinese embassy or consulate website before travel.
When you still need a visa
Visa-free does not cover everything. Apply for a regular visa before departure if any of these apply.
Before you rely on visa-free
Visa-free is for specific purposes only.+
The 30 days are counted precisely.+
The list and the stay length change.+
Don't confuse it with 240-hour transit.+
Hong Kong / Macao / Taiwan have separate rules.+
Sources
China expands 240-hour visa-free transit policy · Reviewed 2026-05-18
Visa-free entry to China — eligible nationalities (latest update) · Reviewed 2026-05-18
Frequently Asked Questions on Visa-free Entry into China (Updated February, 2026) · Reviewed 2026-06-06
National Immigration Administration of China — entry & exit policy hub · Reviewed 2026-05-22
Last checked: 2026-06-06 · Country counts, stay lengths and eligible purposes are source-bound and change over time. Not legal advice; the final entry decision rests with Chinese border authorities. Verify official sources before departure.