China visa and entry 2026 — all nationalities

Every international traveler enters China through one of three routes: 30-day unilateral visa-free (if your nationality is currently listed), 240-hour transit without visa (if all operational conditions are met), or a regular visa obtained before departure.

Always confirm your route before buying tickets. Start from official sources: MFA portal, Chinese Embassy visa-free FAQ, NIA transit policy.

China's unilateral visa-free policy allows eligible ordinary passport holders to enter for business, tourism, family and friend visits, exchange, and transit for up to 30 days without a visa sticker. The policy expanded significantly in 2024–2025, with further updates published in early 2026: MFA Feb 2026 briefing.

Even when visa-free applies, carry supporting documents — return or onward travel, accommodation, and an itinerary matching your stated purpose. Airlines check this at check-in and border officers may ask.

As of March 2026, U.S. ordinary passports are not on the unilateral visa-free list. Verify before every trip: visa-free FAQ.

U.S. travelers use either 240-hour transit (for A-China-B routes with a confirmed onward ticket) or a regular visa via the COVA portal: COVA portal, embassy process guidance. See the dedicated U.S. passport guide.

Most EU member state nationals currently benefit from visa-free access. Never assume eligibility by region alone — verify your exact nationality in the current official notice: visa-free FAQ.

If your nationality is clearly listed, you may enter visa-free for up to 30 days. If unclear, use the transit qualification check or apply for a regular visa. See the dedicated EU passport guide.

UK ordinary passport holders are included in the visa-free group announced in 2026 MFA publications. Verify current status and effective period before travel: MFA briefing, visa-free FAQ. See the dedicated UK passport guide.

Canadian ordinary passport holders are included in the same 2026 visa-free expansion. Verify the current effective period with official sources before purchasing flights: MFA briefing. See the dedicated Canada passport guide.

Australia is included in China's visa-free expansion. Confirm current eligibility for Australian ordinary passports before every trip: visa-free FAQ, MFA briefing. See the dedicated Australia passport guide.

Japan is one of the largest source markets for China travel and currently holds visa-free entry arrangements. Verify exact stay limits and current conditions with your local mission before travel: MFA portal, visa-free FAQ. See the dedicated Japan passport guide.

South Korea is similarly among the top source markets with active visa-free arrangements. Verify current terms with official sources and your local Chinese mission: MFA portal. See the dedicated South Korea passport guide.

NIA policy allows nationals of 55 countries to transit China for up to 240 hours without a visa when holding a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region, entering via a designated port, and remaining within designated areas. The policy now covers 65 ports across 24 provinces: NIA transit notice.

Transit only works cleanly when your route is unambiguously A-China-B with B different from A and a confirmed onward booking. If your itinerary has any ambiguity, use a regular visa instead.

If visa-free does not apply, transit conditions are not met, or your stay exceeds policy limits, apply for a regular visa before departure. Use the official COVA online system and your local mission's current instructions: COVA portal.

Start well ahead of schedule. Processing times vary by workload, jurisdiction, and document completeness.

NIA supports online arrival-card submission before landing as well as completion via kiosks or paper forms at the airport: arrival-card notice.

Hotel stays are typically registered directly by the hotel. Non-hotel stays require local public security registration within 24 hours of arrival: Article 39 guidance.

MFA English portal: source.

MFA Feb 2026 visa-free expansion briefing: source.

Chinese Embassy in the U.S. visa-free FAQ: source.

NIA transit and arrival-card policy: source.

Official visa application portal (COVA): source.