How to Visit China Without a Visa – Updates on China’s Visa-Free Policies

Written by Catherine | Updated February 04,2026

China has introduced a number of visa-free policies to allow foreign nationals from a wide range of countries to travel to China without a visa. These include unilateral visa-free policy, mutual visa exemption, visa-free transit, and visa-free short stays to entire Mainland of China and certain regions. In this article, we cover all of China’s visa exemption policies that are currently in place and explain who can and how to benefit from them.

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• 1. 30-Day Visa-Free Policy
• 2. 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit in 60 Ports across 24 Provinces
• 3. 24-Hour Visa-free Transit
• 4. 15-Day Visa-free Policy for Cruise Groups: Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Xiamen, Guangzhou…
• 5. Hainan 30-day Visa-free Entry Policy
• 6. Hainan 144-hour Visa-free Policy for Tour Groups from Hong Kong and Macau
• 7. 144-hour Visa-free Policy for ASEAN Tour Groups to Guilin
• 8. Pearl River Delta 6-Day Visa Exemptions for Tour Groups from Hong Kong and Macau
• 9. China Visa-free Entry for APEC Business Travel Card Holders
• 10. Visa-free Entry for Residence Permit Holders

1. 30-Day Visa-Free Policy

As of September 14th, 2025, China has extended the unilateral 30-day visa-free policy to 48 countries in total (Countries unilaterally granted visa-free access by China).

That’s to say, ordinary passport holders of the 48 countries can enter China and stay for up to 30 days without a Chinese visa for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit purposes. Those who do not meet the visa-free conditions still need to obtain a Chinese visa before entering.

The 48 countries unilaterally granted visa-free access by China include:

• Europe (34): 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, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Russia, Sweden
• Asia (7): Brunei, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain
• The Americas (5):  Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay
• Oceania (2): Australia, New Zealand

Note: Compared with the previous list, Sweden has been added, Malaysia removed from the 48-country unilateral list because China and Malaysia have implemented a permanent visa exemption agreement for ordinary passport holders effective on July 17, 2025, allowing stays of up to 30 days per entry, with a maximum cumulative stay of 90 days within any 180-day period.

Countries with mutual visa exemption agreements with China:

China has signed mutual visa exemption agreements with 29 countries. Nationals of these countries holding applicable passports may enter China for short-term travel without applying for a visa in advance, usually for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit purposes. The general maximum stay for each entry is 30 days.

These countries include: 

Europe (12): Albania, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Serbia, Seychelles, San Marino, Suriname, Dominica, Malta, Monaco, Andorra

Asia (7): United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Brunei

Americas (6): Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Chile 

Oceania (4): Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga

When will the unilateral 30-day visa-free policy expire?

At present, the validity period of China’s unilateral visa-free policy varies by country:

• Brunei: The visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders has no expiration date.
• Other 47 countries: The visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders remains in effect until December 31, 2026.

Best China Tours:

• 13 Days Essence China Tour with Yangtze River Cruise
• 8 Days Beijing – Xian – Shanghai Highlights Tour
• 2-Week China Tour with Zhangjiajie & Guilin Landscapes

2. 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit in 65 Ports across 24 Provinces

Update: On June 27, 2025 the new policy also expanded the designated open ports for 240-hour visa-free transit policy to 65 across 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities)

On December 17, 2024, China’s National Immigration Administration announced to further optimize the visa exemption transit policy. According to the announcement, the previous 72 and 144-hour visa-free transit will be extended to 240 hours (10 days). What’s more, the new policy also added 21 new ports for visa-free entry and exit, and expanded the designated open ports to 60 across 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities).

Citizens from 55 countries, including Russia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, will be eligible for this new 240-hour visa-free transit policy if they:

• Hold valid international travel documents (passport or equivalent) that are valid for no less than three months.
• Meet the entry requirements of the third country or region they are traveling to.
• Possess a confirmed connecting ticket for flights, trains, and ships to a third country or region within 240hours after having arrived in China.

Cross-province visits are allowed  

The 240-hour visa-free transit policy allows travelers to make cross-province visits in the allowed areas in 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities), as long as their total stay durations don’t exceed 240 hours. >> See specific Ports and Allowed Areas for Visa-Free Transit Travelers under the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy

55 Countries Eligible for 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy

The 54 countries eligible for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy are:

• European countries (40): Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway;
• American countries (6): United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile;
• Oceanian countries (2): Australia, New Zealand;
• Asian countries (6): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, UAE, Qatar, Indonesia

Important Things to Note

• The “third country or region” must not be your home country; however, it can be Hong Kong or Macau.
• Among the 55 countries, some, such as Germany, France, Australia, South Korea, Japan, and the UAE, are already included in mutual visa exemption agreements or China’s unilateral visa-free policies. That is to say, citizens from these countries can enter China directly and have a visa-free stay period of up to 30 days. This is more flexible than the 10-day stay.

How to apply

The following process is for your reference; the exact process may slightly vary at different ports.

• Inform the airline that you intend to apply for a 240-hour visa-free transit.
• Fill out the“Temporary Entry Card for Foreign National” at the entry port upon arrival.
• Submit your application at the temporary entry permit issuance area.
• Submit your valid international travel document, temporary entry card, and onward flight tickets to the third country or region (either paper or electronic form).
• Wait for review and approval

How to calculate the 240-hour visa-free transit period?

It does not begin from the moment of entry. Actually, the visa-free transit period starts at midnight on the day following your entry and ends at 24:00 on the 10th day.

3. 24-Hour Visa-free Transit

Currently, China has implemented a 24-hour visa-free transit policy at all its accessible exit-entry ports for foreign citizens from countries around the world.

Similar to the 72-hour and 144-hour visa-free transit policies, people need to hold valid international travel documents and a confirmed onward ticket to the third country or region to qualify for the 24-hour visa-free transit policy.

Recommended tours for 24-hour visa-free stay:

• Xian Downtown and Muslim Quarter Food Tour
• Half Day Xian Terracotta Warriors Tour
• Shanghai Highlight Day Tour
• One Day Old Beijing City Tour
• One Day Chengdu Panda Tour

4. 15-Day Visa-free Policy for Cruise Groups: Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Xiamen, Guangzhou…

On May 15, 2024, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) officially announced to implement a visa-free policy for foreign tourist groups (with 2 or more people) to enter China by cruise at 13 cruise ports along its coast. Requirements for the visa-free policy are as below:

• The foreign tourist group must comprise two or more individuals.
• Continue on the same cruise ship to the next port until the cruise departs from China.
• Stay in the permitted areas (coastal provinces, municipalities, and Beijing) for no more than 15 days.
• The tourist group should be received by a Chinese domestic travel agency.

Permitted areas that can be visited include:

During the visa-free stay, the tourist group can travel and engage in other short-term activities in the coastal provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) and Beijing. Below are the 13 cruise ports and the coastal provinces they are located in:

• Tianjin
• Dalian (Liaoning Province)
• Shanghai
• Lianyungang (Jiangsu Province)
• Wenzhou (Zhejiang Province)
• Zhoushan (Zhejiang Province)
• Xiamen (Fujian Province)
• Qingdao (Shandong)
• Guangzhou(Guangdong)
• Shenzhen (Guangdong)
• Beihai (Guangxi)
• Haikou (Hainan)
• Sanya (Hainan)

5. Hainan 30-day Visa-free Entry Policy

As of February 9th, 2024, ordinary passport holders of 59 countries can enter Hainan Province visa-free for up to 30 days. The 59 visa-free eligible countries include the United States, Canada, Sweden, the Philippines, Indonesia, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Australia, etc.

Entry purposes for the Hainan visa-free policy include travel, business, visiting relatives, medical treatment, attending exhibitions, or participating in sports competitions. Eligible foreign citizens can enter Hainan Island from any of its open ports. Previously, the policy was only applicable to tour groups. From March 15, 2023, it was expanded to individual travel.

Recommended Hainan Tours for Visa-free Stay:

• 6 Days Haikou and Sanya Tour in Hainan
• 3 Days Sanya Beach Resort and Cultural Experience Private Tour

6. Hainan 144-hour Visa-free Policy for Tour Groups from Hong Kong and Macau

From July 30, 2024, Hainan implemented a 144-hour visa-free policy for foreign tour groups from Hong Kong and Macao. The policy applies to ordinary passport holders of countries with diplomatic relations with China. Key points and requirements for the policy are as below:

• Entry conditions: Travel to Hainan from Hong Kong or Macau, and book a group tour of at least two persons from an accredited travel agency in Hong Kong or Macau. Must enter and exit as a group.
• The visa-free stay duration can not exceed 144 hours (calculated from 00:00 the day after your entry).
• You can also follow other visa-free agreements or policies with China if you meet them.

7. 144-hour Visa-free Policy for ASEAN Tour Groups to Guilin

This 6-hour visa-free policy to Guilin is valid for citizens from the 10 ASEAN countries, which are Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines. Key points for the policy include:

• You’ll need to join a group tour of at least two individuals with a registered Guilin travel agency.
• The visa-free stay duration is up to six days (144 hours).
• The permitted area for the group’s activities is in Guilin City.
• You must enter and exit as a group.

8. Pearl River Delta 6-Day Visa Exemptions for Tour Groups from Hong Kong and Macau

The 6-day visa exemption implemented in the Pearl River Delta is valid for ordinary passport holders of countries with diplomatic relations with China. To qualify for the policy, you’ll need:

• Entry conditions: Travel to the nine cities of the Pearl River Delta from Hong Kong or Macau on a tourist group from a registered travel agency in any of the two SARs.
• Visa-free stay duration: No more than six days (144 hours).
• Permitted areas for the group’s activities: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, and Huizhou
• Must enter and exit as a group.

9. China Visa-free Entry for APEC Business Travel Card Holders

Foreign nationals holding an APEC Business Travel Card or APEC Virtual Card can enter and stay in China without a visa for up to 60 days. But if the validity of your APEC card is less than 60 days, you’ll need to leave China before it expires. Within its validity period (five years), the holders can enter China visa-free for multiple times.

By holding the APEC card, your visa-free stay primarily applies to short-term activities with no income or compensation, such as business negotiations, market research, signing contracts for investment, unpaid after-sales services, technical exchanges and support, and similar activities. It is not intended for tourism, visiting relatives or friends, medical treatment, or other non-business purposes.

10. Visa-free Entry for Residence Permit Holders

Foreign nationals holding residence permits issued by Chinese public security organs can stay in China within the permit’s validity and enter and exit China without a visa as many times as they wish. Resident foreign journalists and foreign nationals who come to China for work, study, employment, family reunification, or long-term visits are required to apply for a residence permit upon their first entry.