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Tool 01

China Visa-Free Checker

66+ nationalities can currently visit China without a visa. Pick your passport and get an instant, dated answer — checked against official government sources.

Verified June 19, 20264 official sources ↓

Or browse all nationalities by visa type.

How China's visa-free entry works

30-day visa-free program (50 countries). China currently waives visas for ordinary passport holders from 50 countries for business, tourism, family visits, exchanges or transit — up to 30 days per entry. The program runs until December 31, 2026 (Russia's arrangement runs until December 31, 2027).

Bilateral visa exemptions. Countries like Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the UAE, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Belarus have mutual visa-exemption agreements with China. These are treaty-based and have no announced end date.

240-hour visa-free transit. Citizens of 55 countries transiting through China to a third country or region can stay up to 240 hours (10 days), entering through 65 designated ports. This is the main option for travellers from the United States, Mexico, Indonesia and several other countries.

Not covered by any of the above? You'll need a tourist (L) visa. Apply online through the official China visa application portal, then submit at a Chinese visa application service center or embassy/consulate before you travel.

China visa questions, answered

Do I need a visa to visit China?

It depends on your nationality and trip. Citizens of 50 countries can enter visa-free for up to 30 days, a dozen more have bilateral visa-exemption agreements, and citizens of 55 countries can use 240-hour visa-free transit when continuing to a third country or region. Everyone else needs a tourist (L) visa arranged before travel — pick your passport in the checker above for the exact answer and its official source.

Which countries can enter China visa-free?

50 countries are on China's unilateral 30-day visa-free program (announced through December 31, 2026), and around a dozen more — including Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the UAE, Qatar, Kazakhstan and Belarus — have bilateral visa-exemption treaties with no announced end date. Select your country in the checker for the exact rule and the official source behind it.

How long can I stay in China without a visa?

Up to 30 days per entry under the unilateral visa-free program. Bilateral-treaty countries are usually 30 days too, though some count cumulative days within a period. Under 240-hour visa-free transit you can stay up to 10 days — but only while continuing to a third country or region.

Do US citizens need a visa for China?

The United States isn't on the 30-day visa-free list, but US passport holders can use 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit when travelling on to a third country or region through a designated port. For an ordinary round-trip tourist visit, a tourist (L) visa is required before you travel.

What is China's 240-hour visa-free transit?

A transit exemption for citizens of 55 countries: with a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region departing within 240 hours, you can enter through one of 65 designated ports and stay up to 10 days in the permitted regions — no visa needed.

How do I apply for a China visa if I need one?

Complete the application online on the official China Online Visa Application portal (consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA), then submit it in person at a Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) or a Chinese embassy/consulate before you travel. Each country page lists the documents and the nearest centers.

How current is this checker, and where does the data come from?

Every answer is checked against official Chinese government sources — the National Immigration Administration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassy announcements — and carries the date it was last verified (June 19, 2026). Visa rules can change at short notice, so always confirm with the official source linked on each result before you book.

All covered nationalities

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Official sources

Every policy on this page was checked against these official pages. Always confirm with the source before booking.

Disclaimer: This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice, and may contain errors or be out of date — policies change without notice. Always confirm your eligibility, stay length and entry conditions with the official sources above or your nearest Chinese embassy or consulate before you book travel or rely on this page. Ready Set China is an independent information site — not a travel agency, booking agent, or government body — and is not responsible for decisions made on the basis of this information.