Coming to China
Visa & entry
Three tracks: which one are you on?
China currently offers 30-day unilateral visa-free entry to eligible ordinary-passport holders from multiple countries; end dates can differ by nationality — check the latest MFA or NIA list for your passport. The main entry routes are unilateral visa-free entry, 240-hour visa-free transit, and entry with a visa.
| Track A — 30-day visa-free | Track B — 240h transit | Track C — Visa required | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | Per the current official nationality list | 57 countries (from 2026-08-20) | Travelers not eligible for the visa-free tracks |
| Length | 30 days per entry | 10 days (240 hours) | As stamped |
| Onward ticket required | No | Yes — confirmed seat to a 3rd country/region | N/A |
| Extendable inside China | Does not extend automatically; contact local exit-entry administration for emergency or humanitarian cases | Same | Possible |
| Valid until | See the current official notice for your nationality | Ongoing, 65 ports | N/A |
Track A: 30-day visa-free — what it allows and doesn't
The 30-day clock starts from midnight of the day after entry. Current policy sets no uniform cap on entries or cumulative days, but each entry must match the stated purpose and admission is decided by border inspection under the law. Permitted activities: tourism, business, visiting family and friends, exchange and transit; work, study or journalism require the appropriate visa arranged in advance. Visa-free stays do not extend automatically; for emergency or humanitarian situations contact the local exit-entry administration.
Under the current policy, eligible UK and Canadian ordinary-passport holders may enter visa-free for up to 30 days from 17 February to 31 December 2026. China's relevant visa-free policy for Russian ordinary-passport holders has been extended to 31 December 2027. Re-check before departure.
Track B: 240-hour transit — the fine print
From 20 August 2026, eligible ordinary-passport holders from 57 countries may use the 240-hour visa-free transit policy through the applicable 65 open ports. Travelers need a confirmed interline ticket with a fixed date and seat to a third country or region (Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan count; a round trip such as NYC→China→NYC does not) and must remain within the permitted area. Ports and permitted areas follow the latest NIA list; every city on your itinerary must lie within the permitted area.
- Round-trip tickets (A→China→A) do not qualify — the onward destination must be a genuine third country or region
- Travelers must not leave the permitted area; ports and areas follow the latest NIA list
- Overstaying may lead to a warning, fine, detention, ordered exit or future entry effects; for force majeure or emergencies, contact the local exit-entry administration before your stay expires
Track C: applying for a visa
Tourist (L), business (M), work (Z) and student (X) visas are applied for at Chinese embassies, consulates or visa centres. Required documents vary by nationality, consular district, visa category and application centre — follow the checklist of the office handling your application. Under the current arrangement, applicants for short-term visas with an intended stay of no more than 180 days are generally exempt from fingerprint collection until 31 December 2026; fingerprints are still required for D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 and Z visas that require a residence permit after entry. Follow the notice of the office handling your application.
Arrival card and customs
Hong Kong, Macau, and Tibet: separate regimes
Hong Kong and Macau each have independent entry policies — check the official rules for each; a mainland visa or visa-free status does not automatically cover them. The Hainan visa-free scheme covers 61 nationalities; after entering Hainan under it, traveling to other parts of mainland China requires a separate qualifying basis. Foreign visitors to the Tibet Autonomous Region generally need to arrange the relevant permit through a qualified travel agency and follow the approved itinerary; extra documents may be needed for some border or restricted areas, and processing time depends on the route — confirm well in advance.
- Hainan is part of mainland China: after entering under the Hainan scheme, you need a separate qualifying basis to travel elsewhere on the mainland
- 240-hour ports and permitted areas follow the latest NIA list; every itinerary city must be inside the permitted area
- Tibet travel generally requires a permit via a qualified agency and an approved itinerary; timing depends on the route — confirm early
- Overstaying may lead to a warning, fine, detention, ordered exit or future entry effects; for emergencies contact the local exit-entry administration before your stay expires
Policy Policies change often — re-check the official source before you travel.