(Compiled according to information released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, as of June 2026)
Visa-Free Entry to China (61 Countries)
Ordinary passport holders from 61 countries can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days. This includes 50 countries under China’s unilateral visa exemption policy and 11 Asian countries under mutual visa exemption agreements. Below are the details.
Part I: Unilateral Visa Exemption (50 Countries)
China unilaterally grants visa-free entry to ordinary passport holders of the following 50 countries for business, tourism, visiting relatives or friends, exchange visits, or transit, for stays of up to 30 days per entry.
- Europe (35 countries): 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, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
- Oceania (2 countries): Australia, New Zealand
- Asia (7 countries): Bahrain, Brunei, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia
- Americas (6 countries): Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Uruguay
⚠️ Policy Note: The unilateral visa exemption for Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain is currently extended until December 31, 2026. Brunei’s unilateral exemption has no expiration date. All other European, Oceanian, and American countries listed above are also extended to December 31, 2026. Russia’s exemption extends to December 31, 2027. Check for updates before traveling.
Part II: Mutual Visa Exemption — Asian Countries (11 Countries)
China has signed mutual visa exemption agreements with the following Asian countries. Their nationals holding ordinary passports can also stay in China visa-free for up to 30 days per entry, with no expiration date on the agreement (permanent policy).
| Region | Country | Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Asia | Singapore 🇸🇬 | Mutual (permanent) |
| Thailand 🇹🇭 | Mutual (permanent) | |
| Malaysia 🇲🇾 | Mutual (permanent) | |
| Central Asia & Caucasus | Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 | Mutual (permanent) |
| Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 | Mutual (permanent) | |
| Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 | Mutual (permanent) | |
| Georgia 🇬🇪 | Mutual (permanent) | |
| Armenia 🇦🇲 | Mutual (permanent) | |
| Middle East | United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪 | Mutual (permanent) |
| Qatar 🇶🇦 | Mutual (permanent) | |
| South Asia | Maldives 🇲🇻 | Mutual (permanent) |
Asian Countries Overview (18 Countries Combined)
Combined, 18 Asian countries allow ordinary passport holders to enter China visa-free for up to 30 days. The key difference is policy type and duration:
| Region | Countries (all 30-day visa-free) | Policy |
|---|---|---|
| East Asia | Republic of Korea, Japan | Unilateral (to Dec 31, 2026) |
| Southeast Asia | Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei | Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia: mutual (permanent) Brunei: unilateral (permanent) |
| Central Asia & Caucasus | Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia | Mutual (permanent) |
| Middle East (GCC) | UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain | UAE & Qatar: mutual (permanent) Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain: unilateral (to Dec 31, 2026) |
| South Asia | Maldives | Mutual (permanent) |
⚠️ Policy Note: The unilateral visa exemption for Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain is currently extended until December 31, 2026. The mutual visa exemption agreements with Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and all other countries listed in the mutual column have no expiration date. Brunei’s unilateral exemption has no expiration date. Check for updates before traveling.
FAQs on Visa-free Entry into China
Q1: Who does not need a visa?
A1: Nationals holding valid ordinary passports of 61 countries may enter China visa-free for up to 30 days. This includes 50 countries under unilateral visa exemption (Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, the Republic of Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Russia, Sweden, Canada and UK) and 11 countries under mutual visa exemption agreements (Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Maldives). They can stay in China for no more than 30 days without a visa for business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange and transit purposes.
Q2: How long will the visa waiver be effective?
A2: Brunei, no expire date; Russia, remain in effect until December 31, 2027; Other 48 countries, remain in effect until December 31, 2026.
Q3: Is there any additional requirement for minors eligible for a visa waiver?
A3: Visa waiver requirements for minors are the same as for adults.
Q4: Does the visa waiver apply to foreign nationals who come to China for the purpose of sports competitions, conferences and exhibitions, and study tours (summer/winter camps)?
A4: Visa waiver applies to those who come to China for the purpose of sports competitions, conferences and exhibitions, and study tours (summer/winter camps), and stay in China for no more than 30 days. However, a valid ordinary passport is needed.
Q5: Does the visa waiver apply to tour groups?
A5: The visa waiver applies to eligible foreign nationals either in tour groups or as individuals.
Q6: Will the purpose of intended stay in China be examined by Chinese border inspection authorities when entering China?
A6: Foreign nationals traveling for the purpose of business, tourism, family or friends visit, exchange and transit that meet the visa waiver requirements can be allowed to enter China without a visa upon examination and approval in accordance with law by border inspection authorities. Entry into China shall be denied for those who travel for purposes that do not meet the visa waiver requirements. It is recommended to take documents such as invitation letters, air tickets and reservations of accommodation as a proof corresponding to the purposes of entry. Visa waiver does not apply to those who come to China for work, study, news coverage or purposes alike.
Q7: Are there any requirements on the type and validity of entry documents?
A7: For foreign nationals, an ordinary passport valid for at least the duration of intended stay in China is needed. Holders of travel documents or temporary or emergency documents other than ordinary passports are not allowed to enter into China without a visa.
Q8: Does the visa waiver apply to foreign nationals who travel from a third country?
A8: Eligible foreign nationals can depart for China from any country or region.
Q9: Does the visa waiver apply to foreign nationals who travel by forms of transport other than planes?
A9: The visa waiver applies to all travelers coming to China through any sea, road and air port open to foreign nationals. For arrivals in China by private transport, certain procedures for entry and exit of means of transport shall be processed in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
Q10: How to calculate the duration of stay of 30 days?
A10: The duration of stay without a visa is calculated from the next day of entry and lasts for 30 calendar days.
Q11: If the length of intended stay exceeds 30 days, can the visa waiver be extended?
A11: Foreign nationals planning to stay in China for over 30 days shall apply for visas corresponding to their purposes of stay in advance at Chinese embassies or consulates. If they have to stay longer than 30 days for appropriate and sufficient reasons after entering China without a visa, they shall apply for stay permits to the exit and entry administrations of public security authorities.
Q12: Does the visa waiver allow multiple entries? Is there any requirement on the length of intervals between each entry, or any restriction on the number of entries without a visa or total days of stay?
A12: Foreign nationals eligible for the visa waiver can enter China without a visa multiple times. Currently, there is no restriction on the number of entries or total days of stay, but those who enjoy visa-free travel to China shall not engage in activities inconsistent with their purpose of entry.
Q13: Do foreign nationals eligible for a visa waiver need to make declarations to Chinese embassies or consulates in advance?
A13: Foreign nationals eligible for the visa waiver do not need to declare in advance to Chinese embassies or consulates before entering China.
Q14: If a foreign national eligible for a visa waiver has entered China but later lost his/her passport, can the foreign national leave China using an emergency travel document?
A14: For a foreign national who has entered China without a visa and needs to exit using a new passport, emergency passport or travel document due to loss or damage of the original identity document, the Chinese border inspection authority in charge will verify in line with the law the foreign national’s identity and supporting documents. If confirmed to be valid and the individual has not overstayed, he/she may be allowed to exit.