China Visa & Entry Requirements (2026)
There's no single answer, and China's rules genuinely vary more by nationality than most destinations. As of mid-2026, most of the EU, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, several Gulf states, Brazil, and China's Southeast Asian neighbors get 30 days visa-free through December 31, 2026. US and Indian passport holders still need a full visa arranged in advance — there's no visa-on-arrival or e-visa option for either. Separately, 55 nationalities (including the US and UK) can use a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit if genuinely passing through to a third country.
China's visa policy has moved fast over the past two years, unilaterally adding country after country to its visa-free list — but it hasn't added everyone, and the gaps are exactly the nationalities a lot of generic travel content assumes are covered. Here's the real, current breakdown, not a guess.
30-day visa-free entry, by nationality group (as of mid-2026, through Dec 31, 2026)
| Passport / group | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EU / Schengen countries | Visa-free, 30 days | Covers Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, and most other EU/Schengen members — confirm your specific country is on the current list before booking. |
| United Kingdom | Visa-free, 30 days | Added February 2026, announced during the UK Prime Minister's visit to China. |
| Canada | Visa-free, 30 days | Added February 2026, alongside the UK. |
| United States | Visa required — NOT on the 30-day list | US passport holders must arrange a visa in advance; there is no visa-on-arrival or e-visa. The 240-hour transit-only exemption below is separate and only covers genuine transit. |
| Australia, New Zealand | Visa-free, 30 days | Included since late 2025. |
| India | Visa required | No e-visa or visa-on-arrival. Apply in person at a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) in Delhi, Mumbai, or Kolkata; biometrics required. Fees run roughly ₹2,900 (single entry) plus CVASC service fees, 4–5 working days processing. |
| Gulf states — Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain | Visa-free, 30 days | All five are on the current unilateral visa-free list. |
| Brazil (and several other Latin American nations: Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay) | Visa-free, 30 days | Part of the same expansion wave as the Gulf states. |
| South Africa | Visa required | Not currently on the unilateral visa-free list — apply through a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in advance. |
| Southeast Asia — Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Philippines | Visa-free, 30 days | China's closest regional neighbors in Southeast Asia are broadly covered; Philippines' stay is calculated from the day after arrival. |
| Japan, South Korea | Visa-free, 30 days | Both included on the current list. |
| Russia | Visa-free, 30 days | In effect September 2025 through December 2027 — a longer window than most other nationalities on this list. |
| Other nationalities not listed above | Check individually | China has been expanding this list unilaterally and fairly quickly — if your passport isn't above, check the current status directly with a Chinese embassy or visa service center rather than assuming either way. |
This list moves. China has been expanding its unilateral visa-free program rapidly since 2023, adding country after country with each policy round (UK and Canada were only added in February 2026). If your passport isn't clearly covered above, verify directly with your nearest Chinese embassy, consulate, or a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre within a few weeks of booking — not months in advance.
The 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit — a separate rule
Nationals of 55 countries — including the US and UK, regardless of their status on the 30-day list above — can transit through China visa-free for up to 240 hours (10 days) if they hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region and enter through one of 60 approved ports across 24 provinces. This is a transit exemption, not a general tourist visa — it's designed for stopovers, not a standalone China trip, though many travelers do use it to see one city (Beijing or Shanghai, most commonly) en route somewhere else.
Other entry basics
- Your passport must be valid well beyond your stay — check the specific requirement for your visa type or exemption before booking.
- If you do need a visa, apply well ahead — processing typically takes 4–5 working days (India's CVASC system), longer during peak travel seasons or around Chinese public holidays.
- Chinese New Year 2026 falls on February 17 — avoid booking travel or visa appointments in the surrounding week or two if you can, since offices close and demand spikes.
For visa-required nationalities: applying
Most standard tourist ("L") visas are now processed through Chinese Visa Application Service Centres (CVASC) rather than embassies directly, and increasingly require an in-person appointment with biometrics. Apply at least 3–4 weeks before your trip to leave room for any request for additional documents.