Is China Visa-Free for Irish Citizens?
As of June 19, 2026: Irish citizens can enter mainland China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. The program currently runs until December 31, 2026.
Visa-free entry · Up to 30 days
Ireland
Yes — visa-free for up to 30 days
Irish citizens can enter mainland China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. The program currently runs until December 31, 2026.
Compiled from official sources by Henry · independent · based in China
Entry options for Irish citizens
Option 01
Visa-free entry
- Max stay:
- 30 days per entry
- Program valid until:
- December 31, 2026
- Hold a valid ordinary passport
- Purpose of visit: business, tourism, visiting family or friends, exchanges, or transit
- Stay up to 30 days per entry; multiple entries allowed
Option 02
240-hour visa-free transit
- Max stay:
- 240 hours (10 days)
- Hold a valid ordinary passport
- Hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region departing within 240 hours
- Enter through one of the designated ports
- Stay within the permitted regions during the visit
Ports of entry: Applies at 65 designated ports across 24 provincial-level regions, including the major international airports in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu. Travel is limited to the permitted regions — check the official list for your itinerary.
Not sure your route qualifies? Run it through the free 240-hour transit checker — it confirms your eligibility and works out the exact date you need to leave by.
Before you fly
You'll have up to 30 visa-free days — line these up before you fly:
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Frequently asked questions
Do Irish citizens need a visa to visit China?
No. Irish citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days per entry, under the program currently announced through December 31, 2026.
Is China visa-free for Irish citizens?
Yes — visa-free for up to 30 days. Irish citizens can enter mainland China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. The program currently runs until December 31, 2026.
How long can Irish citizens stay in China without a visa?
Up to 30 days per entry. The current program is announced through December 31, 2026.
Can Irish citizens use China's 240-hour visa-free transit?
Yes. With a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region departing within 240 hours, Irish citizens can enter through designated ports and stay up to 10 days in the permitted regions.
Can Irish citizens take children to China, and does each child need their own visa?
China issues no family visa — every traveller is assessed individually and each child, including infants, needs their own passport. Visa-free and 240-hour transit eligibility is judged per passport, so a child qualifies on their own nationality the same way an adult does. If a visa is required, a child's tourist (L) visa needs the same basic documents as an adult — a passport, the online application form completed for each applicant, and a photo. Some visa centres ask for extra documents for minors, such as a birth certificate showing the parent-child relationship, copies of both parents' passports, and a consent letter when a child travels with one parent or alone — confirm the exact list with the CVASC or Chinese embassy/consulate handling your application (some countries, including the US, apply directly at the embassy or consulate rather than through a CVASC).
Where is this information from?
All policies on this page were verified on June 19, 2026 against official Chinese government sources (National Immigration Administration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and official announcements). Links are listed in the sources section.
Related reading
Check another nationality
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.