China's unilateral visa-free scheme now covers ordinary passport holders from 50 countries, for visits of up to 30 days. If your passport is on the list and your trip fits a permitted purpose, there is no visa application, no form, and no fee: you travel, and you enter.
The full list: 50 countries
Eligible purposes: business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchanges, and transit. You must hold an ordinary passport — diplomatic and service passports follow different rules.
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| Europe (35) | 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 (7) | Bahrain, Brunei, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Korea |
| Americas (6) | Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Uruguay |
| Oceania (2) | Australia, New Zealand |
The United Kingdom and Canada joined the scheme on February 17, 2026, the date of the NIA's current published list. Sweden was added on November 10, 2025.
How the 30 days are counted
The 30 days are counted from 00:00 on the day after you enter, for 30 calendar days. Land on October 1 and you may stay until October 31. Plan around this if your trip straddles a month boundary — and note that a visa-free stay generally cannot be extended inside China. If you need longer than 30 days, apply for a visa before you travel.
Expiry dates to watch
- 48 countries: policy runs through December 31, 2026.
- Russia: runs through December 31, 2027.
- Brunei: no stated expiry date.
If your trip runs past December 31, 2026, check for an extension announcement before booking — the scheme has been extended repeatedly since it began in December 2023, but an extension is never guaranteed until it is announced.
Notable exceptions and nearby schemes
Malaysia is not on the unilateral list — it moved to a separate mutual visa-exemption agreement (effective July 17, 2025): ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days per visit, with a cumulative maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period.
The United States is not on the list. US passport holders visiting China for a normal trip need a visa in advance. The main alternatives are the 240-hour visa-free transit (57 countries as of August 20, 2026, 65 designated ports — you must be traveling on to a third country or region and stay within the permitted areas) and the separate Hainan 30-day visa-free policy.
China also introduced an online arrival card in November 2025, alongside the option to complete it on arrival. It is separate from a visa application.
What to prepare at the border
- An ordinary passport valid for your stay.
- A trip that fits a permitted purpose (business, tourism, family visit, exchange, transit).
- Expect routine fingerprint collection on arrival.
- Know your first hotel's name and address — it comes up at immigration and again at hotel check-in.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to apply for anything before traveling if my country is on the list?
No. If you hold an ordinary passport from one of the 50 listed countries and your trip fits a permitted purpose, you can travel without applying for a visa in advance. There is no form and no fee for the visa-free entry itself.
How are the 30 days counted?
The 30 days are counted from 00:00 on the day after you enter China, for 30 calendar days. If you land on 1 October, you may stay until 31 October.
Can I extend a visa-free stay inside China?
Generally no. A visa-free stay generally cannot be extended inside China. If you need longer than 30 days, apply for a visa before you travel.
I hold a US passport. Can I visit China visa-free?
Not under the 30-day unilateral scheme — the United States is not on the list. Options include the 240-hour visa-free transit (if you are traveling on to a third country), the separate Hainan 30-day visa-free policy, or applying for a visa in advance.
Does visa-free entry cover work or study?
No. Permitted purposes are business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchanges, and transit. Work, study, and journalism require a visa obtained in advance.
What happens after December 31, 2026?
For 48 of the 50 countries, the current policy runs through December 31, 2026. Russia's runs through December 31, 2027, and Brunei's has no stated expiry date. If your trip runs past the expiry, check for an extension announcement before booking.
Sources to double-check before you travel: China's National Immigration Administration (en.nia.gov.cn) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mfa.gov.cn). This guide was verified October 31, 2026.