China 30-day visa-free entry: who qualifies

If your country is on China’s list, you can visit without a visa for short stays under the 30-day visa-free policy. Below: who qualifies, what you may do, and how it differs from the visa-free transit. Visa rules change: always check the current rules with the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country, or the National Immigration Administration, before you travel.

Who qualifies

Citizens of countries on China’s visa-free list can enter with an ordinary passport and stay up to 30 days without a visa. The list includes, among others, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea. Countries have been added over time, so check the current list with the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country.

What you may do

The visa-free stay covers business, tourism, family visits, transit or exchanges. For any other purpose, check with the embassy or consulate which visa you need.

How long the policy runs

The policy runs until December 31, 2026. Check again close to your trip, especially if you travel after that date.

Not on the list? The visa-free transit

If you are travelling through China to another country, the visa-free transit may help instead:

• You can stay up to 240 hours (10 days).
• You need an onward ticket to a third country or region, with a confirmed date and seat.
• Only citizens of eligible countries can use it, and the list changes, so check the current list on the National Immigration Administration website.

Details: Beijing layover tour.

Before you travel

• Check the rules for your passport with the Chinese embassy or consulate, or the National Immigration Administration.
• Check your passport’s validity and blank pages with your airline.
• Then plan your trip: Beijing itinerary.