China's 30-day visa-free policy after 31 December 2026
China's unilateral 30-day visa-free entry covers 48 countries and is set to end on 31 December 2026. Here is where it stands, who it affects and what to do if your trip runs past that date.
No extension announced yet
68 days until 31 December 2026
No extension beyond 31 December 2026 had been announced as of 23 October 2026. China has renewed the policy before (it began as a one-year trial in December 2023), but nothing is certain until the National Immigration Administration publishes a notice.
Who it affects
Ordinary passport holders from these countries can currently enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days under the unilateral policy:
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Uruguay.
Not affected by the end date
- Mutual visa-exemption agreements (Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the UAE and others) have no end date.
- 240-hour visa-free transit is a separate policy with no announced end date, for citizens of 57 countries flying on to a third country or region.
- Russia: a separate 30-day arrangement, currently until 31 December 2027.
If your trip runs past 31 December 2026
- Watch for the notice. Extensions have so far been announced weeks before the old end date. This page and the visa checker are updated as soon as one appears.
- Have a plan B for entries from 1 January. If your passport and route qualify, 240-hour transit works without the 30-day policy. Otherwise, allow time to apply for an L (tourist) visa.
- Entering before the end date and staying after it? Ask the immigration hotline (+86 12367) or a Chinese embassy how your stay is treated; don't rely on assumptions.
- Book refundable flights and hotels for dates after the end date until the rules are confirmed.
Timeline
- Trial visa-free entry for up to 15 days begins for France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia.
- Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg join the trial.
- Visa-free stays are extended from 15 to 30 days.
- 144-hour visa-free transit becomes 240-hour (10-day) transit, with more ports and permitted areas.
- Canada and the United Kingdom join the 30-day list.
- Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam become eligible for 240-hour transit and 30-day Hainan entry (NIA announcement No. 4 of 2026). Notice
- Online accommodation registration for foreigners staying outside hotels opens nationwide (NIA announcement No. 7 of 2026). Notice
- The unilateral 30-day visa-free policy is currently set to end (Russia's arrangement runs to 31 December 2027).
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