Which countries can enter China visa-free in 2026?
China runs three separate visa-free schemes, and a country can appear in one, two or all three of them. This page lists them side by side so you can see exactly what your passport unlocks.
All three lists change. The dates below reflect the policy as published in October 2026.
The three schemes at a glance
| Scheme | Countries | Stay | Where you can go |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day visa-free entry | 50 | Up to 30 days | Anywhere in China |
| 240-hour visa-free transit | 57 | Up to 240 hours (10 days) | Designated area around your entry port |
| Hainan visa-free entry | 61 | Up to 30 days | Hainan Province only |
Hainan is also open to nationals of 88 countries once bilateral and unilateral agreements are counted — the 61 figure is the Hainan-specific scheme alone.
Which scheme should you look at first?
If you are planning a normal holiday of two weeks or less, start with the 30-day list. It is the simplest and has no route requirements.
If your passport is not on that list but you are flying onward to another country anyway, the 240-hour transit scheme is usually the answer — it covers 57 countries including the United States, Mexico, Vietnam and the UAE.
If your only destination in China is Hainan, the Hainan scheme covers 61 countries and needs nothing more than a passport.
Why your country might be on one list but not another
The 30-day scheme is a unilateral policy: China decided which countries to include, and reviews the list periodically. The transit scheme is tied to port infrastructure and to bilateral aviation routes. The Hainan scheme is a regional development policy and has its own criteria.
This is why some large source markets — the United States most visibly — have no 30-day visa-free entry but do have transit and Hainan access.
Frequently asked
Is the number of visa-free countries still growing?+
Yes. China has added countries to the 30-day list repeatedly, including Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam in August 2026. The list is worth re-checking before each trip rather than relying on what you read last year.
Does the 30-day list apply to all passport types?+
No. It applies to ordinary passports. Diplomatic, service, temporary and emergency travel documents are handled under separate agreements or require a visa.
If my country is on the list, can I stay 30 days and then fly to Thailand and come back?+
Each entry is assessed on its own. There is no published cap on how often you can use visa-free entry, but border officers can refuse entry if your pattern of travel looks like residence rather than visits. See our guide on multiple entries.
Check your own passport
The guides explain the rules. The checker applies them to your nationality and shows the exact date your policy runs to.
Visa rules by nationality
The 30-day visa-free policy covers 18+ of these nationalities. Pick yours:
Read next
Do you need a visa for China?
Short answer: most travellers from Europe, Australia, Japan, Korea and Brazil do not need a visa for a trip of up to 30 days in 2026. Here is how to check in under a minute.
China’s 240-hour visa-free transit, explained
Ten days in China without a visa, if your itinerary is A → China → B. Here are the exact rules on tickets, ports, stay areas and what counts as transit.
The 30-day visa-free policy runs to 31 December 2026
48 of the 50 visa-free countries are covered until 31 December 2026. Here is what that date actually means, what happens next, and how to plan a 2027 trip.
This guide is compiled from publications by China’s National Immigration Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chinese visa application centres. Entry decisions rest with the border inspection authority. Confirm your own case with your airline and the nearest Chinese embassy before booking.