China Visa-Free Entry 2026: Complete Guide for 55 Countries

Who qualifies for visa-free entry?

As of 2026, nationals from 55 countries can enter China visa-free for up to 240 hours (10 days) through any of 60 designated ports of entry across 24 provinces. This includes most of Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, and many more.

The full list includes: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, UAE, Qatar, and others.

Important: This is for transit purposes. You must have a confirmed onward ticket departing China within the 240-hour window. The clock starts from midnight after your arrival day.

What documents do you need?

A valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity. Your passport must be from one of the 55 eligible countries.

A confirmed onward ticket to a third country (not the country you arrived from). For example, if you fly from the US to China, your departure ticket should be to Japan, Thailand, or any country other than the US. In practice, enforcement of the 'third country' rule has been relaxed — many travelers report successfully using a return ticket to their origin country.

A hotel booking confirmation for your first night in China. Screenshot the Chinese address — immigration officers may ask to see it.

An arrival card — distributed on the plane. Fill it in before landing. You'll need your passport number, flight number, and hotel address in China.

Step-by-step: going through immigration

After landing, follow signs to immigration. Look for the lane marked 'Transit Without Visa' (外国人免签过境) or the general 'Foreign Nationals' lane. Both work.

Hand the officer your passport, arrival card, and show your onward ticket when asked. They'll check your eligibility and stamp your passport with a 240-hour temporary entry permit.

The stamp shows your deadline — make sure you depart China before that date. Overstaying is taken seriously and can result in fines, detention, or entry bans.

After immigration, collect your luggage and pass through customs. The green channel (nothing to declare) is fine for most travelers. Then you're free to explore China.

Where can you go during the 240 hours?

The 240-hour transit visa-free policy covers 24 provinces and regions. You can travel freely within and between these areas. This includes all major tourist destinations: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xi'an, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and more.

You can enter through one city and depart from another — for example, arrive in Shanghai and depart from Beijing. This is one of the most useful features for planning a multi-city trip.

Some remote areas (Tibet, parts of Xinjiang) may require additional permits regardless of your visa status. Check before planning trips to these regions.