Quick answer: China offers different visa-free arrangements. Some ordinary passport holders can visit for up to 30 days under a unilateral exemption or bilateral agreement. Eligible travellers transiting to a third country or region may use 240-hour visa-free transit under different rules. Your passport, route, travel purpose and dates determine which arrangement applies.
Can I travel to China without a visa?
Possibly. China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) published a list of countries covered by unilateral visa exemptions, compiled on 17 February 2026. It includes the UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany and Japan. The list applies to ordinary passport holders visiting for eligible purposes, including tourism, for up to 30 days. Separate bilateral agreements may cover other nationalities. Check the applicable end date and the latest rules with a Chinese embassy or consulate before booking.
Do not assume a 30-day exemption applies to every nationality. For example, the United States is included in the NIA’s 240-hour transit list, but it is not on the NIA’s February 2026 unilateral-exemption list. Eligibility for transit alone does not allow an unrestricted round trip.
How does the 240-hour visa-free transit work?
According to the NIA’s transit policy, updated 20 August 2026, nationals of 57 listed countries can apply for visa-free transit for up to 240 hours when travelling onward to a third country or region. The policy applies through 65 designated ports in 24 provincial-level areas; travel must stay within the permitted areas. Hold an ordinary passport and confirmed onward ticket with a date and seat, and check the NIA’s list for your entry and exit ports and destinations.
For example, a qualifying itinerary from the US to mainland China and onward to Japan can meet the third-country routing requirement. A US–China–US round trip does not meet that requirement by itself. Hong Kong and Macao are treated as separate regions for this rule; check the whole itinerary and any stopovers with your airline and border authorities.
What should I prepare before departure?
- Check that your passport type, nationality, travel purpose and intended dates meet the chosen policy.
- For transit, check the full flight route, designated entry and exit ports, permitted area and confirmed onward ticket.
- Keep your accommodation address and booking details available. Check passport validity requirements with your airline and Chinese embassy or consulate.
- Complete the arrival card when required. The official NIA online arrival card is free; a paper card is also available at ports.
Do I need a visa if my trip does not qualify?
Yes. If no exemption fits your passport, purpose, route or stay, apply for the appropriate visa before travel. Entry decisions are made by the relevant authorities. Rules can change, so check the latest official guidance for your individual trip.
Continue with our China entry guide, arrival and packing checklist or ask us about your travel plans.