Short answer: 50 countries. Ordinary passport holders of those 50 countries can enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visits to relatives and friends, exchange visits or transit, for stays of up to 30 days. The list below is the official one published by the National Immigration Administration (current version dated 17 February 2026). The United States is not on it. Two other schemes exist and are often confused with this one: mutual bilateral exemptions (about 29 countries) and the 240-hour transit exemption (57 nationalities). Rules change — confirm with the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country before booking.
The 50 countries by region
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| Europe (35) | Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom |
| Oceania (2) | Australia, New Zealand |
| Asia (7) | Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia |
| Americas (6) | Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Uruguay |
The exemption applies to ordinary passports only; holders of diplomatic, service or official passports are processed under separate rules. Not covered by this unilateral policy: the United States, India, the Philippines and Indonesia. Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore are not on this list either — their visa-free arrangements are mutual bilateral exemptions under a different scheme, and the current mutual list should be verified separately before you travel.
The 30-day rule, and how the days are counted
The permitted stay is up to 30 days, and it is counted from 00:00 on the day after the date of entry. Someone landing at 23:00 on a Monday starts counting at 00:00 on Tuesday and has a full 30 days; in practice, your arrival day does not consume any of the allowance. The purposes covered are business, tourism, visits to relatives and friends, exchange visits and transit. Employment and study are not covered — they require the appropriate visa regardless of how short the stay is.
The 30-day window applies per entry under the policy. If your plans run longer, arrange the right visa in advance or look at extending from inside China — see our guide to extending your stay in China for how that works and where the line is.
The United States is not on the list
US ordinary passport holders are not covered by the 30-day unilateral exemption. Americans can use the 240-hour visa-free transit scheme when arriving from one country and departing to a different one, or apply for a tourist (L) visa in advance for a full trip. The details, including the port and routing rules, are in our 2026 guide for US travellers. Travellers of other nationalities not obviously on the list should likewise check the official roster rather than an article.
Three different schemes people mix up
| Scheme | Who it covers | Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unilateral visa exemption | The 50 countries listed above | Up to 30 days | Ordinary passports; business, tourism, family visits, exchange, transit |
| Mutual bilateral exemption | About 29 countries (for example Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore — verify the current list) | Varies by treaty | Based on reciprocal agreements, separate from the unilateral policy |
| 240-hour visa-free transit | 57 nationalities, including the United States | Up to 10 days | Must arrive from country A and depart to a different country C; designated ports and permitted regions; upgraded from 72/144 hours in December 2024; Vietnam added 20 August 2026 |
The transit scheme is a policy in its own right, with its own country list and port rules — our 240-hour visa-free transit explainer covers it in full. And if you are wondering how long the 30-day exemption itself will last, see when China's visa-free entry ends.
How many people actually use it
The policy is widely used. Official figures record 23.72 million visa-free entries by foreign nationals between January and August 2026, up 26.8 percent year on year, and 505,000 of the 682,000 foreign trips during the National Day holiday week that year were visa-free entries (gov.cn, 8 October 2026). The scheme began as a trial for six countries in late 2023 and has been expanded in stages since — which is also why the country list should be re-checked before every trip.
What to confirm before you travel
- You are travelling on an ordinary passport from one of the 50 countries listed above.
- Your purpose is covered — business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange, transit. Work and study require a visa.
- Your stay fits inside 30 days, counted from 00:00 the day after entry.
- The list is current — check the National Immigration Administration (en.nia.gov.cn) and the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country; the policy moved several times during 2026.
- Your airline agrees at check-in — carriers verify eligibility against current immigration rules and deny boarding when travellers do not qualify.
Frequently asked questions
Is China visa-free for 50 countries in 2026?
Yes. Ordinary passport holders of the 50 countries listed above may enter visa-free for stays of up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, exchange or transit, per the National Immigration Administration list dated 17 February 2026.
Is the United States on China's visa-free list?
No. The US is not on the 50-country unilateral list. US passport holders can use the 240-hour transit scheme when arriving from one country and departing to another, or apply for a visa in advance.
Can I work or study on the 30-day visa-free entry?
No. The exemption covers business, tourism, visits to relatives and friends, exchange visits and transit only. Employment and study require the appropriate visa or residence permit.
How is the 30-day stay counted?
From 00:00 on the day after your date of entry — so the day you arrive does not use up any of the 30 days.
What is the difference between this list and the 240-hour transit policy?
The 50-country list grants up to 30 days for a range of purposes. The 240-hour transit scheme is for genuine transit through designated ports (arrive from one country, depart to a different one) and covers 57 nationalities, including the United States.
Planning your trip
- Check your country on the official National Immigration Administration list before booking, and again before departure.
- Count your 30 days from 00:00 the day after entry, and build in a buffer before your flight out.
- Have your accommodation details and onward or return travel ready to show at the immigration desk.
- If your nationality is not clearly covered, contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country before paying for non-refundable bookings.
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