Visiting China without a visa in 2026 is not only possible but easier than ever. Thanks to updated immigration policies, expanded transit rules, regional visa exemptions, and international agreements, travelers can legally enter China without a traditional visa in multiple ways. Whether you're a tourist exploring iconic cities, a business traveler attending meetings, or a digital nomad passing through Asia, understanding these visa-free options can save time, reduce costs, and simplify travel planning. In this guide, we'll break down the 12 most practical ways to visit China visa-free in 2026 - clearly, simply, and realistically.
Latest Update: The UK and Canada are expected to be included in China's visa-free policy in 2026. Once the official announcement is released, we will update this page with the most accurate and detailed visa-free information.
1. 30-Day Visa-Free Entry to China (Updated 2026)
China has extended its 30-day visa-free policy until December 31, 2026, allowing eligible travelers to stay in China for tourism, business, family visits, or transit.
Check whether your country is included on the visa-free list.
Europe (34 countries)
France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Russia (valid to September 14, 2026), and Sweden.
Asia (7 countries)
South Korea, Japan, Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain.
South America (5 countries)
Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay.
Oceania (2 countries)
Australia and New Zealand.
Countries with Mutual Visa Exemption
Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Antigua and Barbuda, Albania, Barbados, Bahamas, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Qatar, Mauritius, Serbia, Seychelles, San Marino, Suriname, Tonga, Armenia, Georgia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Micronesia.
2. 24-hour visa-free Transit Policy
China offers a 24-hour transit visa exemption policy at all open ports to travelers from every country. Foreign nationals with valid international travel documents and confirmed onward tickets to a third country or region - whether by aircraft, ship, or train - are allowed to stay in China for up to 24 hours without a visa.
3. 10-Day Visa-Free Transit Policy (240-Hour Transit)
Beyond the 24-hour visa-free transit policy, China has introduced an extended 240-hour visa-free stay for travelers from 55 countries. Eligible visitors can remain in China for up to 240 hours without a visa when transiting through designated entry points.
Eligible Travelers
Europe (40 countries)
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus and Norway.
Asia (7 countries)
Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Indonesia.
Americas (6 countries)
The United States of America, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Chile.
Oceania (2 countries)
Australia and New Zealand.
Major Cities Covered
Foreign visitors can travel freely within the designated areas of the 24 provincial-level regions, including major destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Xi'an, Suzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Zhangjiajie, Huangshan, and more.
Key Requirement
You must travel onward to a third country or region (e.g., USA → China → Thailand).
If you want to make the most of your stay, explore our detailed guide: China 10-Day (240-Hour) Visa-Free Transit: Complete Travel Guide & Itinerary Ideas.
Recommended Visa-Free Transit Tours:
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8-Day Private China Tour: Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai
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7-Day Shanghai, Hangzhou & Suzhou Cultural Discovery Tour
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10-Day Journey Through China's Artistic Soul: From Huangshan to Jingdezhen
4. 15-Day Visa-Free Policy for Cruise Groups
International tourist groups arriving in China by cruise ship can also enjoy visa-free entry. Groups of two or more travelers, organized and received by Chinese travel agencies, are allowed to enter through designated coastal ports and stay in China for up to 15 days without a visa.
Entry Ports
The visa-free entry ports include 13 national cruise ports located in Tianjin, Dalian in Liaoning province, Shanghai, Lianyungang in Jiangsu province, Wenzhou and Zhoushan in Zhejiang province, Xiamen in Fujian province, Qingdao in Shandong province, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in Guangdong province, Beihai in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, and Haikou and Sanya in Hainan province.
Requirements
- Group Travel Requirement: Foreign tourist groups must consist of two or more travelers and arrive in China by cruise ship. The group must be organized and received by a licensed Chinese travel agency.
- Same Cruise Entry and Exit: Tourist groups must enter and leave China on the same cruise ship, traveling together to the next port when the cruise departs China.
- Limited Stay Duration and Travel Area: Visitors can stay in China visa-free for up to 15 days. The travel area is restricted to coastal provinces, municipalities, and Beijing.
5. Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free Policy
China's tropical island province Hainan offers 30-day visa-free access to citizens of 59 countries, including the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia.
Eligible Countries (59 Countries)
Europe (40 Countries)
France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Portugal, Spain, Monaco, Italy, Cyprus, Malta, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Greece, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.
Asia (11 Countries)
Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
Americas (6 Countries)
The United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.
Oceania (2 Countries)
Australia and New Zealand.
Eligible Ports of Entry
Haikou Meilan International Airport, Sanya Phoenix International Airport, Qionghai Boao AirportYangpu Port, Haikou Port, Qinglan Port, Basuo Port, Sanya Port
6. 6-Day Visa-Free Tour in Guangdong (Greater Bay Area)
Valid for:
Citizens of countries that have diplomatic relations with China, traveling to Hong Kong and/or Macau with ordinary passports.
Cities that can be visited:
Travelers may visit the nine mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Shantou, including Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhaoqing, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Huizhou, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, and Shantou.
How to apply:
You must join a tour group organized by a registered travel agency in Hong Kong or Macau, with a minimum group size of two people. Travelers must enter and exit China as part of the same tour group. The maximum stay is up to 6 days, and entry and exit must be made through the designated open ports in the above cities.
Recommended Tour:
7. 6-Day Visa-Free Tour in Hainan
Valid for:
Citizens of countries that have diplomatic relations with China, traveling to Hong Kong and/or Macau with ordinary passports.
Cities that can be visited:
Travelers are allowed to travel within the administrative region of Hainan Province.
How to apply:
You must join a tour group organized by a registered travel agency in Hong Kong or Macau, with a minimum group size of two people. Travelers must enter and exit China as part of the same tour group. The maximum stay is up to 6 days, and entry and exit must be made through all open ports in Hainan Province.
8. 6-Day Visa-Free Tour in Xishuangbanna (Yunnan Province)
Valid for:
Tourist groups from ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia, traveling with ordinary passports.
Cities that can be visited:
Travelers are allowed to visit the administrative region of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province.
How to apply:
You must join a tour group organized and received by a Chinese travel agency such as our TraveltidesChina, with a minimum group size of two people. Travelers must enter and exit China as part of the same tour group. Entry and exit are permitted through Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport, Mohanh Railway Port, and Mohanh Highway Port. The maximum stay is up to 6 days.
9. 6-Day Visa-Free Tour in Guilin (Guangxi Province)
Valid for:
Tourist groups from ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia, traveling with ordinary passports.
Cities that can be visited:
Travelers are allowed to visit the administrative region of Guilin City in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
How to apply:
You must join a tour group organized and received by a Chinese travel agency such as our TraveltidesChina, with a minimum group size of two people. Travelers must enter and exit China as part of the same tour group. Entry and exit are permitted through Guilin Airport Port. The maximum stay is up to 6 days.
10.Visa-Free Travel to Hong Kong and Macau
For most international travelers, a visa is not required when visiting Hong Kong and/or Macau, making both destinations highly accessible.
Hong Kong: Hong Kong maintains a relatively liberal visa policy rooted in its historical administrative system. Citizens from around 160 countries can enjoy visa-free entry, with permitted stays ranging from 7 days to 180 days, depending on nationality.
Macau: Macau applies slightly stricter entry rules compared to Hong Kong. British nationals are allowed to stay for up to six months, while citizens from approximately 38 countries - including those from the EU, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and South Korea - can stay for up to 90 days without a visa.
To expand your travel options, you can also plan a visa-free trip to the Chinese Mainland from Hong Kong or Macau by taking advantage of the visa-free policies outlined above.
11. APEC Business Travel Card Holders
Holders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card can enter China directly with the card, without the need to apply for a visa in advance.
Travelers with a valid APEC Business Travel Card are permitted to stay in China for up to 60 days per visit.
12. Holders of Aliens' Residence Permits
Individuals who hold an Aliens' Permanent Residence Certificate issued by the Public Security Bureau (PSB) of the People's Republic of China are exempt from visa requirements when entering China.
Foreign nationals traveling to China for study, employment, or work as resident correspondents must apply for an Aliens' Residence Permit with the PSB within one month of their arrival in China.
FAQS
1. Can I use the 30-day visa-free policy multiple times?
Yes. The 30-day visa-free entry policy can be used multiple times. You can leave China and re-enter again, as long as each stay does not exceed 30 days and you meet the entry requirements. However, frequent entries may still be subject to immigration checks.
2. Can I use the 10-day visa-free transit policy multiple times?
Yes. The 10-day visa-free transit policy in China can be used multiple times, provided that each trip meets the transit requirements.
You must travel from one country or region to China and then onward to a third country or region, and each stay must not exceed the permitted duration.
If traveling to another country is inconvenient, you can choose Hong Kong as your exit point. Hong Kong connects seamlessly with the Chinese Mainland and offers extensive international flight options, making it a practical and popular choice for visa-free transit travelers.
3. What is the difference between the 30-day visa-free policy and the 10-day visa-free transit?
The main difference lies in travel routes:
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30-day visa-free policy: You can enter China directly and stay up to 30 days.
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10-day visa-free transit: You must transit through China to a third country or region.
The transit policy is ideal for travelers planning a short stopover in China.
4. Can I travel independently under the cruise visa-free policy?
No. Under China's 15-day cruise visa-free policy, travelers must join a tourist group organized by a licensed Chinese travel agency. Independent travel is not permitted.
