China visa-free travel — the practical guide
China has dramatically expanded visa-free travel. Here's the version that's actually useful for planning your trip, not a copy of the embassy site.
By HappyChinaTrip · Last updated 20 May 2026
Important: Visa rules change. Always confirm with the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country before booking flights.
Two paths in
Unilateral visa-free entry
Stay up to 30 days for tourism, business or family visits. Available to many European, Asian and Oceania passports.
240-hour visa-free transit
Transit through major cities for up to 10 days if you have an onward ticket to a third country. Great for adding China to an Asia trip.
Passports currently visa-free (sample)
Click a flag for entry details. Non-exhaustive — confirm your situation before booking.
If your passport isn't visa-free
US, Canadian and several other passports still need a tourist (L) visa. The good news: US passports usually get a 10-year multi-entry visa, which makes future trips trivial. Apply 1–2 months before travel via the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in your country.
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