Citizens from over 90 countries can enter China without a visa for stays ranging from 10 to 30 days.
If you are from the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, Australia, Italy, or 75 other countries, you can enjoy a 30-day visa-free stay. This policy has been extended until December 31, 2026.
If you are from the United States or 54 other countries, you may qualify for a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit in China.
If your country isn't on this list, we offer a Port Visa Service for just USD 100 per person when you book a tour with us. No embassy visits or visa interviews are required, saving you a lot of hassle.
Usually, foreign travellers need a visa when travelling or doing business in China. This China Visa Guide will help you answer almost all the questions you need to know before applying for a China Visa.
This article includes information on China visa types, requirements, applications, costs, visa-free transit policies, and visas on arrival.
China Visa-Free Policy
China Visa Types
China Visa Requirements (How to Apply)
30-Day Visa-Free for 50 Countries (Unilateral Visa-Free Policy)
Nationals of the following countries with ordinary passports are eligible for visa-free entry to China for up to 30 days, until December 31, 2026.
Europe (35 countries): France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Denmark, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Russia (valid to September 14, 2026), Sweden, and the United Kingdom
Asia (7 countries): Brunei, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain
Oceania (2 countries): New Zealand, Australia
Americas (6 countries): Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay
These visa-exempt policies apply for purposes such as tourism, business, transit, and visiting friends and relatives. You can visit any mainland destination in China, except for certain regions like Tibet, which require special tourist permits.
30-Day Visa-Free for 30 Countries (Mutual Visa Exemption)
Citizens holding ordinary passports from the following countries are eligible to visit China visa-free for up to 30 days under mutual visa exemption agreements. At present, no expiration date has been announced for this policy.
Asia (11 countries): the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Armenia, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan
Europe (5 countries): San Marino, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus, Albania
Americas (7 countries): Bahamas, Grenada, Ecuador, Barbados, Suriname, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda
Oceania (5 countries): Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Independent State of Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia
Africa (2 countries): Seychelles, Mauritius
These visa-exempt policies apply for purposes such as tourism, business, transit, and visiting friends and relatives. You can visit any mainland destination in China, except for certain regions like Tibet, which require special tourist permits.
15-Day Visa-Free Policy for Cruise Groups
Since October 1, 2016, the 15-day visa-free policy has been operating for foreign tourist groups entering China from Shanghai by cruise.
Under the 15-day visa-free policy, your group can visit and depart from any port within the designated areas if you remain together on the same cruise ship.
The visa-free privilege applies to specific regions, including Shanghai, Beijing, and Tianjin, and provinces such as Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan.