China Visa-Free Entry 2026: 30-Day & 240-Hour Transit
Many travelers can now skip the Chinese visa entirely — but there are two completely different routes, and people constantly confuse them. The 30-day visa-free policy lets eligible nationalities simply land and stay; the 240-hour (10-day) transit policy is only for people passing through China to a third country. Work out which one fits you before you book, because the rules and the country lists are different — and they're still changing.
What you need
- An ordinary passport valid 6+ months (official and diplomatic passports don't qualify for these waivers)
- For transit only: a confirmed onward ticket to a third country within 240 hours
- Ten seconds with our visa checker to confirm your route
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Route 1 — 30-day visa-free entry (about 50 countries)
Around 50 nationalities can enter and stay up to 30 days with no visa and no onward-ticket requirement — you can fly in, travel, and fly straight home. It covers tourism, business, family visits and transit. The UK and Canada were added in February 2026; the EU, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea are all included. The big exception is the United States, which is NOT on this list.
Watch out This is still a trial — currently valid through 31 December 2026. Always re-check the official list before you book, as countries and dates change.
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Route 2 — 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit (55 countries)
If you're passing through China to a different country, 55 nationalities — including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and most of Europe — can stay up to 240 hours, which is 10 days, visa-free. The catch: you must be transiting to a THIRD country or region and hold a confirmed onward ticket. An A → China → A round trip does not qualify.
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Where the transit policy works
The 240-hour transit covers about 60 ports across 24 provinces and regions, and — new since late 2024 — you can now travel across all of those designated regions instead of staying in one city. You must enter and exit through the eligible ports. Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan count as valid third destinations.
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Other routes worth knowing
Hainan island has its own 30-day visa-free scheme for 59 countries (including the US) for tourism. Arriving by cruise with a tour group gives 15 days visa-free along the coast. Tour groups from ASEAN countries, and from Hong Kong into Shenzhen, have their own short visa-free options. If the main routes don't fit you, one of these might.
Common problems
Is China visa-free for Americans?
Not for ordinary entry — the US is not on the 30-day visa-free list. Americans can use the 240-hour transit policy (you must be flying onward to a third country with a confirmed ticket), enter Hainan visa-free, or get a tourist (L) visa.
What's the difference between the two policies?
30-day visa-free = land, stay up to 30 days, no onward ticket needed, fly home directly — but only about 50 nationalities. 240-hour transit = only if you're passing through to a third country, you must have a confirmed onward ticket, up to 10 days. Different lists, different rules.
Does a round trip count for the 240-hour transit?
No. You must be heading to a different third country — for example UK → China → Japan works, but UK → China → UK does not. Your onward ticket must have confirmed dates and seats.
How are the days counted?
The clock starts at 00:00 on the day after you enter, not the moment you land. Don't cut it fine — leaving a few minutes into day 11 means you've overstayed.
Checked June 2026. A planning aid, not official advice — rules and app flows change, so confirm anything critical before you rely on it.