China Visa-Free Countries 2025–2026: Complete Updated List & How to Use It

China’s visa-free access programme has expanded faster in 2024–2025 than at any point in the country’s modern history. New bilateral agreements are signed regularly, and the existing 15-day and 30-day schemes continue to add nationalities. This guide compiles the current state of visa-free access as of mid-2026 — along with practical guidance on how to take advantage of it.

Table of contents

Why China Is Opening Up

China’s push to expand visa-free access is driven by several factors:

• Tourism recovery: post-pandemic, the government wants international visitor numbers back to 2019 levels
• Business facilitation: reducing friction for foreign investors and executives
• Diplomatic signalling: bilateral visa-free deals are often reciprocal and signal strengthened relationships
• Regional competition: China is competing with Southeast Asian destinations for international travel spend

The result for travellers: more options than ever before, with the list still growing.

Category 1: Unilateral 15-Day Visa-Free (China’s Initiative)

China unilaterally grants 15-day visa-free entry for leisure and short business visits to nationals of the following countries. No reciprocal agreement is required.

Europe (15 days)

• France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, Greece, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden

Asia-Pacific (15 days)

• Australia (pilot programme — verify current status)
• New Zealand (pilot programme — verify current status)
• South Korea (15 days)
• Japan (15 days, restored 2025)

Southeast Asia (15 days)

• Singapore (30 days — see below)
• Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei (15 days each)

Note: These unilateral visa-free arrangements are announced by the Chinese government and can be modified or suspended at any time. Always verify the current status before booking non-refundable travel.

Category 2: Bilateral Visa-Free (30 days)

Under bilateral “mutual visa exemption” agreements, nationals of certain countries receive up to 30 days visa-free:

• Singapore: 30 days (one of the most generous arrangements)
• Maldives: 30 days
• Mauritius: 30 days
• Belarus: 30 days
• Serbia: 30 days

Bilateral arrangements are typically based on reciprocity — China’s citizens receive equivalent treatment in those countries.

Category 3: Hainan 30-Day Visa-Free

Hainan Island operates a separate, more generous visa-free policy:

• 59 nationalities can enter Hainan Province for up to 30 days without any visa, for tourism purposes
• Entry and exit must be through Haikou Meilan International Airport or Sanya Phoenix International Airport
• The 30 days are counted from entry to Hainan; you cannot travel to other Chinese provinces without a valid visa (unless separately eligible)

This policy makes Hainan a popular “gateway” for nationals who cannot enter mainland China visa-free under other schemes.

Category 4: The 144-Hour Transit Exemption

Available to nationals of 53 countries (including most OECD nations) passing through China on their way to a third country. Key points:

• Up to 144 hours (6 days) without a visa
• Must have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country
• Available at major airport hubs across China
• You must stay within the designated transit zone (usually the entire province or municipality)

This policy is covered in depth in our China Visa & Entry Guide.

What Visa-Free Does (and Doesn’t) Cover

Allowed activities under visa-free entry

• Tourism and sightseeing
• Visiting family and friends
• Short-duration business meetings and negotiations
• Attending conferences or trade shows (depending on the specific exemption category)

Not covered

• Paid employment of any kind
• Academic study or enrolment
• Long-term residence
• Journalism or media work without accreditation

Practical Steps When Entering Visa-Free

At the immigration counter

1. Present your passport — the officer’s system will verify your eligibility automatically
2. Have your onward travel visible (hotel booking, return flight) in case of questions
3. State your purpose: “tourism” is the standard answer
4. You will receive an entry stamp noting the permitted stay duration

Accommodation registration

Visa-free entry does not exempt you from the requirement to register your accommodation. Hotels handle this automatically; private rentals require a police registration visit (see our Port of Entry guide).

Can I extend a visa-free entry?

No. Visa-free entries of all kinds — whether 15-day bilateral, 30-day Hainan, or 144-hour transit — cannot be extended inside China. You must leave before your permitted stay expires.

Countries That Still Need a Visa

Nationals of many countries are not covered by any of the above schemes and still require a standard L visa (tourist), applied for at the Chinese embassy in their home country before travel. This includes (as of 2026):

• United States, Canada, United Kingdom
• India, Pakistan
• Most African nations (exceptions: a few bilateral arrangements exist)
• Most Latin American nations (exceptions: bilateral deals with specific countries)

If in doubt, check the Chinese embassy website for your specific country — policies for individual countries can change within weeks.

Staying Informed: Where to Check

• National Immigration Administration (NIA): nia.gov.cn (Chinese; use browser translation)
• Your country’s Chinese embassy website: the most reliable source for your specific nationality
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China: mfa.gov.cn — press releases announce new visa-free agreements

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m a dual citizen. Which passport should I use? Use the passport that gives you the better access. However, if one of your nationalities is Chinese, you are legally required to enter China on your Chinese passport.

I entered visa-free last month. Can I leave and immediately re-enter visa-free? Generally yes, unless the specific bilateral agreement prohibits back-to-back visa-free entries. The 15-day unilateral scheme doesn’t restrict this explicitly, though immigration officers have discretion.

Does my visa-free status apply if I arrive by land or sea? Most visa-free schemes are airport-only. Land and sea border crossing eligibility varies — check the specific policy for your nationality.

Last updated: May 2026 · Visa-free policies are subject to rapid change. This guide reflects known arrangements as of the update date. Verify with official sources before travel.