Ed's Note: This article was first published in early 2024 and updated on September 17, 2026. Country eligibility and policy dates below were checked against official Chinese government sources.

What's the current list of visa-free countries?

China's main unilateral visa-free scheme now covers ordinary passport holders from 50 countries, for visits of up to 30 days.

30 Days Visa-Free:

• 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 and the United Kingdom.
• Asia (7): Bahrain, Brunei, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and South Korea.
• Americas (6): Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru and Uruguay.
• Oceania (2): Australia and New Zealand.

Eligible purposes include tourism, business, visiting friends or relatives, exchanges and transit. See the official country list.

For 48 of these countries, the policy currently runs through December 31, 2026. Russia's runs through December 31, 2027; Brunei's has no stated expiry date. See the Foreign Ministry's current guidance.

Wait — what happened to Malaysia?

Malaysian visitors still qualify. Malaysia moved to a mutual visa-exemption agreement, effective July 17, 2025. Ordinary passport holders can stay for up to 30 days per visit, with a cumulative maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. That's why Malaysia is listed separately from the unilateral scheme above. See the official Malaysia agreement announcement.

Other countries also have bilateral arrangements. The 50-country list is therefore not a complete list of everyone who can visit China without a visa. Check the passport categories and conditions in the official mutual visa-exemption list.

What purpose is this good for?

Tourism, business, visiting friends or relatives, exchanges and transit. Business meetings and trade visits qualify; employment, formal study and news reporting require the appropriate authorization. See the official visa-free FAQ.

Current guidance also allows qualifying short visits for sports competitions, conferences, exhibitions and study tours such as summer or winter camps. Check the actual activity when deciding which entry route applies. See the updated consular FAQ.

Can I actually show up at the airport without applying for a visa in advance?

For the unilateral scheme, yes, if eligible. Bring an ordinary passport valid throughout your stay; temporary or emergency travel documents do not qualify. Carry accommodation details, tickets and evidence of your visit's purpose. Admission remains subject to border checks. See the Foreign Ministry FAQ.

There is still arrival paperwork. China offers an online arrival card, introduced in November 2025, alongside options to complete it on arrival. This is separate from a visa application. See the National Immigration Administration announcement.

Are there any special requirements for minors?

Minors follow the same visa-free eligibility rules as adults.

Can I enter China visa-free if I depart from another country?

Yes. Eligible travelers can depart from any country or region; you do not have to travel from your country of nationality.

Can tour groups qualify for visa-free entry?

Yes. Both independent travelers and tour groups qualify if they meet the requirements. These rules are covered in the official consular FAQ.

Can I extend my 30-day visa-free stay while I'm in Shanghai?

Plan to leave within your permitted stay. If circumstances require you to remain longer after visa-free entry, you can apply to the local public-security exit-entry administration for a stay permit, with supporting documents. Approval is not automatic, so contact the authority before your permission expires.

See the official stay-permit guidance. For immigration questions, call 12367.

Does the 30-day stay count from the day I enter, or from the next day?

The clock starts at 00:00 the following day. For example, if you enter on October 1, day one is October 2 and day 30 is October 31. Check your recorded departure deadline before leaving immigration. See the official calculation rule.

How many times per year can I enter China on those visa-free stays?

The unilateral scheme currently sets no overall entry-count or cumulative-stay cap, but each visit must qualify. Bilateral agreements can have different limits, including Malaysia's 90-day limit within any 180-day period. See the unilateral rules and Malaysia's rules.

Can I leave and come back?

Re-entry is subject to inspection, and every visit must meet the applicable conditions. Don't treat repeated visa-free visits as permission to work or live in China.

Do I need to register where I'm staying?

Yes. Hotels register guests. If you stay in a private home or other non-hotel accommodation, you or your host must register your accommodation with the local public-security authorities within 24 hours of arrival. See the official accommodation-registration guidance.

Hotels should not refuse overseas guests simply because they say they lack a special qualification to accommodate foreigners. Authorities have explicitly instructed hotels against this. Confirming your booking and passport-registration arrangements in advance remains sensible. See the government clarification.

What areas can be visited? Are there any limitations?

Check the scheme you are entering under. Transit entry has designated travel areas, while Hainan's regional exemption is limited to Hainan.

Additional permissions may apply to particular destinations. For Tibet, arrange your visit through an authorized travel agency. For border areas in Xinjiang or Tibet, check the requirements for your exact itinerary; a border-area permit is not a blanket requirement for every visit to Xinjiang. See the Chinese Embassy guidance on Tibet and 2026 border-area permit guidance.

What's the deal with the 240-hour transit exemption?

This permits eligible travelers to stop in China on their way to a third country or region. As of August 20, 2026, it covers 57 countries, with 65 designated entry ports across 24 provincial-level regions. You must stay within the permitted areas. See the National Immigration Administration update.

Here's the list:

• Europe (40): Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
• Americas (6): Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico and the United States.
• Oceania (2): Australia and New Zealand.
• Asia (9): Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.

See the official 57-country list and permitted travel areas.

You need a qualifying passport with at least three months' validity and confirmed onward travel within the permitted period. The clock starts at midnight following entry. For example, a US–Shanghai–Japan itinerary can satisfy the third-country requirement; US–Shanghai–US does not. Check the complete itinerary, entry port and permitted travel area before booking. See the official transit conditions.

Indonesia joined in June 2025; Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam joined in August 2026. See the Indonesia announcement and latest additions.

What about visa-free entry to Hainan?

Hainan's separate 30-day scheme now covers 61 countries, following the addition of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam on August 20, 2026. See the official announcement.

The list includes all 57 countries in the transit section above, plus Kazakhstan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.

Eligible ordinary passport holders can enter through Hainan's open ports for qualifying visits, including tourism, business, family visits, medical treatment, exhibitions and sports events. Under this regional exemption, your stay is limited to Hainan.

If your itinerary includes Shanghai or elsewhere on the mainland, check whether you qualify under a nationwide exemption, the transit scheme or a visa instead. See Hainan's official policy guide and country list.

Where should I check before traveling?

Use the National Immigration Administration and the Chinese embassy or consulate serving your country. Recheck shortly before departure, especially if traveling near a policy's expiry date.