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1. Which countries can currently travel to China visa-free?
Europe 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, Sweden, the United Kingdom. Asia Brunei, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain. Oceania Australia, New Zealand. Americas Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Canada. The officially announced unilateral visa-free scope currently covers 50 countries.
2. How long can you stay in China visa-free?
For ordinary passport holders who meet the unilateral visa-free conditions: Maximum stay: 30 days You can travel for tourism You can visit relatives and friends You can carry out business activities You can take part in exchange visits You can transit No need to apply for a Chinese visa in advance The length of stay is counted from 0:00 on the day after entry. Please note: the visa-free policy applies to eligible ordinary passports. Travel documents, temporary documents, or emergency documents may not qualify.
3. Do I have to fly to China from my own country?
No. Eligible travelers can depart for China from a third country. For example: UK passport + departing from Singapore → China As long as you meet the visa-free conditions, you can use the visa-free policy in the same way.
4. Visa-Free Does Not Mean All of China Works the Same Way
This is a particularly easy point to confuse. Besides the nationwide visa-free policy, China also has some regional visa-free policies. For example, Hainan currently offers a 30-day visa-free policy to ordinary passport holders from 61 eligible countries, including: Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, the United States, and more. In addition, tourists from ASEAN countries can enjoy regional visa-free policies in places such as Xishuangbanna and Guilin through eligible tour groups, but these policies come with restrictions on entry ports, tour groups, and areas of activity.
5. What If Your Country Is Not on the 30-Day Visa-Free List?
You can also check whether you qualify for transit visa-free entry. China currently implements a 240-hour transit visa-free policy for eligible travelers from 57 countries. These include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and several European countries. But there is one key condition: It must be a transit itinerary to a third country or region. For example: Singapore → China → Japan When the relevant conditions are met, you can apply to use the 240-hour transit visa-free policy. The current policy allows eligible travelers to stay in designated areas for no more than 10 days.
6. What Should You Prepare in Advance for Your First Trip to China?
Even if you are visa-free, it is still advisable to prepare in advance: ① Passport Make sure your ordinary passport is valid for the length of your trip. ② Round-trip/onward itinerary Have your flight, hotel, and other itinerary information ready. ③ Mobile payments Learn in advance how to use WeChat Pay, Alipay, and similar services in China. ④ Internet Sort out your mobile internet and communication needs in advance. ⑤ City transport Cities in China are far apart, so for multi-city trips it is best to plan high-speed rail, flights, and transfers ahead of time. ⑥ Hotels Book in advance hotels that meet the requirements for foreign guests, and confirm your check-in information.
7. How Should You Plan Your Itinerary for Your First Trip to China?
If you only have 5–7 days, it is best not to cram in too many cities at once. For example: 7 days in Beijing: Forbidden City → Great Wall → Temple of Heaven → Hutongs → Summer Palace → Beijing city experiences 8–10 days in Beijing + Xi'an: Beijing history and culture + Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an 10–12 days in Shanghai + Hangzhou: Shanghai city experiences + West Lake and Jiangnan culture in Hangzhou 10–14 days in Chengdu + Chongqing: Pandas + food + city night views If you have more time, then consider adding destinations such as Zhangjiajie, Guilin, Yunnan, and Xinjiang.
An Important Reminder: “Visa-Free” Does Not Mean There Is Nothing to Prepare
Visa-free travel mainly addresses the visa issue. Flights, hotels, transport, itineraries, and the rules that must be followed upon entry still need to be confirmed in advance. Visa-free policies are also subject to change. In particular, those planning to travel after the end of 2026 should check China’s latest official regulations again before departure. At present, Russia’s relevant unilateral visa-free policy has been extended until December 31, 2027, while this policy for the remaining 48 countries is currently in effect until December 31, 2026; Brunei’s policy currently has no set expiry date.
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