Do you need a visa for China?

As of August 2026, citizens of 50 countries can enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges or transit. The arrangement is unilateral (China grants it without requiring the other country to reciprocate) and is currently valid until 31 December 2026 for most countries, with Russia until 31 December 2027.

Visa-free entry gives most nationalities up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchanges or transit — the simplest option. The 240-hour transit scheme gives up to 10 days (240 hours) without a visa, but only when you're transiting through China to a third country, and it applies to citizens of many more countries (including the United States). See our comparison of the two.

The 30 days are counted from the day after you arrive in China. If you arrive on 1 August, your visa-free stay ends on 31 August. Overstaying can mean fines or trouble at the border, so keep the dates clear.

Not yet. As of August 2026 it is valid until 31 December 2026 for most countries. China has extended these policies before, so an extension is possible — but don't count on it. Always re-check before booking, and we update our country pages whenever the status changes.

No. Visa-free entry covers tourism, business, family visits, exchanges and transit — but not work, study, or journalism/media activity. Those require the appropriate visa, applied for in advance.

You'll likely need a visa before you travel. Some nationalities can still use the 240-hour transit scheme for short stopovers, and a few countries have separate bilateral visa-waiver arrangements. Check the full visa-free list and the transit guide, or contact your nearest Chinese embassy.