Do I need a visa for China?
China opened up dramatically in 2024–2025. Pick your passport to see in one tap whether you can skip the visa with 30-day visa-free entry, 240-hour visa-free transit, or Hainan visa-free travel.
Last verified June 2026
China's visa-free options, explained
30-day visa-free entry
30 daysFor ordinary passport holders, up to 30 days per entry for tourism, business, visiting family, or transit. Work, study, and journalism still require a visa, and Tibet needs a separate permit. Trial program — currently running through the end of 2026.
Around 50 countries — much of Europe plus Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil and more.
240-hour visa-free transit
10 daysUp to 240 hours (10 days) visa-free if you are continuing to a third country or region and hold a confirmed onward ticket (a return to your origin country does not qualify). You must enter and leave through a designated port and stay within the permitted area of the entry region. For tourism, business, or visiting family — not work, study, or journalism.
55 nationalities · for travelers continuing to a third country or region.
Hainan visa-free
30 days30-day visa-free entry to Hainan island only — you cannot continue to mainland China without a regular visa. Independent travelers must register their itinerary with a licensed Hainan travel agency in advance; arrivals from Hong Kong or Macau must join a group of 2 or more organized by a local agency.
59 countries · Hainan island only.
Not sure where to enter? Heading to China? Find your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate for visa applications and emergencies.
Which countries can enter China visa-free in 2026?
The lists below are current as of June 2026. Find your country with the tool at the top of the page, or scan the full lists here.
30-day visa-free entry (around 50 countries)
Ordinary passport holders from these countries can enter China for up to 30 days without a visa, through the end of 2026:
240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit (55 nationalities)
Travelers from these countries can transit China visa-free for up to 10 days with a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region:
Hainan 30-day visa-free (59 countries)
Citizens of these countries can visit Hainan island visa-free for 30 days (register an itinerary with a licensed Hainan travel agency):
Bilateral visa-free agreements
These countries hold standing mutual visa-free agreements with China, separate from the 2026 trial program:
China visa FAQ
Do I need a visa to visit China in 2026? +
Many travelers no longer do. China now offers 30-day unilateral visa-free entry to ordinary passport holders from much of Europe plus countries like Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit for dozens of nationalities, and a 30-day Hainan visa-free policy. Everyone else needs a tourist (L) visa. Use the checker above to see what applies to your passport.
Which countries can enter China visa-free? +
Around 50 countries have 30-day unilateral visa-free entry — most of Europe (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK and more) plus Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina and others. A separate group of 55 nationalities, including the United States and Canada, qualifies for 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit, and 59 countries get 30-day visa-free entry to Hainan island. The full lists are on this page, or check your specific passport with the tool above.
What is the 240-hour visa-free transit? +
Since December 2024 China lets eligible travelers transit visa-free for up to 240 hours (10 days) if they are continuing to a third country or region and hold a confirmed onward ticket. You must enter and exit through one of the designated ports and stay within the permitted areas. It replaced the older 72-hour and 144-hour transit rules.
What is the difference between visa-free entry and visa-free transit? +
Visa-free entry (the 30-day unilateral policy and bilateral agreements) lets you fly in, travel, and fly home to the same country with no onward-ticket requirement. Visa-free transit (240 hours) is only for travelers passing through China on the way to a third country or region — you must already have an onward ticket out, and stays are shorter.
Does visa-free transit let me travel anywhere in China? +
Not entirely. Under the 240-hour transit policy you can move between the provinces and cities covered by the program, but you must enter and leave through approved ports and stay within the permitted regions. Visit your destination first to confirm it is inside the covered area.
Can I extend a visa-free stay once I am in China? +
Visa-free entries and transit stays generally cannot be extended for tourism. If you need longer, apply for the appropriate visa at a Chinese embassy before you travel. For emergencies, contact the local Exit-Entry Administration of the Public Security Bureau.
Is the visa checker official? +
No — MyChinaGuide is an independent travel resource. We compile this from official sources and last verified it in June 2026, but visa rules change often and admission is always at the border officer's discretion. Confirm with your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate before booking.
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