China Visa-Free Entry 2026: 30-Day and 240-Hour Rules Explained
Short answer: In 2026, citizens of 50 countries (including the UK, Canada, Australia, most of the EU, Japan and South Korea) can visit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days. Citizens of 29 countries (including Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand) have mutual visa exemption. And citizens of 57 countries — including the United States — can stay up to 10 days (240 hours) without a visa if they’re travelling on to a third country.
The three ways in without a visa
Section titled “The three ways in without a visa”| Route | Who | Max stay | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day visa-free entry (unilateral) | 50 countries, e.g. UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea | 30 days per entry | Tourism, business, visiting family, exchanges or transit. Most of the list runs until 31 Dec 2026 |
| Mutual visa exemption | 29 countries, e.g. Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, UAE, Qatar | Usually 30 days (some 60–90) | Set by bilateral agreement, no end date |
| 240-hour visa-free transit | 57 countries, incl. the US, Mexico, Indonesia, Vietnam | 10 days | You must fly on to a third country or region, enter at one of 65 designated ports and stay in the permitted provinces |
See your passport’s exact rules on the country list.
30-day visa-free entry: what to know
Section titled “30-day visa-free entry: what to know”- Each entry can be up to 30 days, counted from the day after you arrive.
- Allowed purposes: tourism, business, visiting friends or family, exchange visits and transit. Not allowed: work, study or journalism — those need a visa.
- It’s temporary. For most countries the policy is set to run until 31 December 2026 (Russia until 31 December 2027; Brunei has no end date). Check again if you’re travelling in 2027 — we’ll update this page as soon as it’s extended.
- What to carry: an ordinary passport with plenty of validity (we recommend 6 months) and proof of your onward or return travel and accommodation, in case the border officer asks.
240-hour transit: the rules that trip people up
Section titled “240-hour transit: the rules that trip people up”This is the route for US citizens and others not on the 30-day list.
- Third country only. You must leave for a different country or region from the one you came from. US → China → US does not qualify. US → China → Japan does. Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan count as separate regions for this purpose.
- Confirmed onward ticket within 240 hours, with a date and seat — bring a printout or screenshot.
- Designated ports. Enter through one of the 65 eligible ports (major airports like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Chongqing are included).
- Stay in the permitted area. You can move between the 24 participating provinces, but some provinces only allow certain cities (Sichuan, for example, excludes the Jiuzhaigou area). Tibet is not included.
- Tell the airline. At check-in, say you’re using 240-hour visa-free transit. Airline staff sometimes check this.
The clock starts at 00:00 the day after you arrive, so arriving on the morning of 1 May still gives you until 23:59 on 11 May.
Common mistakes
Section titled “Common mistakes”| Mistake | What happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Round trip on transit (A → China → A) | Refused 240-hour transit | Route your exit through a third country, e.g. Seoul, Tokyo or Hong Kong |
| Overstaying by “just a day” | Fines, possible detention and future visa problems | Count days from the day after arrival and book your exit early |
| Planning to work or study | Visa-free entry doesn’t cover it | Apply for the right visa |
| Assuming the rules are permanent | 30-day policy is temporary | Check the end date before you book |
Do US citizens need a visa for China in 2026?
Section titled “Do US citizens need a visa for China in 2026?”For a normal round-trip visit, yes. Without a visa, US citizens can only use the 240-hour transit route, which requires flying on to a third country within 10 days.
Can I enter China visa-free more than once?
Section titled “Can I enter China visa-free more than once?”Yes. The 30-day policy applies per entry. Short repeat trips are fine, but very frequent back-to-back entries may get extra questions at the border.
Does Hong Kong count as leaving China?
Section titled “Does Hong Kong count as leaving China?”For 240-hour transit, Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions, so mainland China → Hong Kong qualifies as onward travel.
Do I still need to fill in an arrival card?
Section titled “Do I still need to fill in an arrival card?”Yes. Foreigners fill in an arrival card at the border; you can usually complete it online in advance through the National Immigration Administration’s service.
Still unsure?
Section titled “Still unsure?”Run your exact trip through the visa-free checker, then work through the trip prep checklist.
Sources: National Immigration Administration — visa-free transit · China Briefing — visa-free travel guide · Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles — extension notice. Rules change often — confirm with an official source before you travel.