China Essentials
Do You Need a Visa for China?
China's entry rules changed a lot in 2025–26. Pick your passport for a straight answer: visa-free, 240-hour transit, or visa required, with the official sources behind it.
Pick your nationality to see whether you need a visa, can enter visa-free, or qualify for 240-hour transit.
How entry works
There isn't one rule, there are several, and which applies depends entirely on your passport. These are the routes the checker sorts you into.
Visa-free entry (30 days)
China lets you enter without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, or transit. Just show a valid passport at the border.
Visa-free (mutual agreement)
A bilateral treaty lets you enter without a visa. More stable than the unilateral program because both governments signed it.
240-hour visa-free transit
No blanket visa-free entry, but you can stay up to 10 days if you're transiting onward to a third country through a designated port.
Visa required
You need to obtain a Chinese visa in advance from an embassy, consulate, or visa centre before you travel.
The big 2026 caveat: the 30-day visa-free program is a rolling trial currently set to run through 2026-12-31. It has been extended before and is widely expected to continue, but always confirm before booking non-refundable travel.
Countries that can enter visa-free
Up to 30 days, no visa needed. Tap your country for the full rules.
Countries that need a visa (or can use transit)
No blanket visa-free entry, but most can still use the 240-hour transit. Tap for details.
Transiting through China?
55 nationalities can spend up to 10 days in China visa-free when flying onward to a third country. See the full rules, airports, and travel zones.