China extends visa-free regime for 46 countries until 2026. Find out who is eligible to enter, what documents are required and what to do if your country is not on the list

China has confirmed that it will extend visa-free travel for citizens of 46 countries until December 31, 2026. These include France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Brazil and others.

Citizens of these countries can enter China for up to 30 days for tourism, business or to visit relatives. The move is part of a broader strategy to open up borders and attract more foreign visitors after a period of strict restrictions.

We tell you who exactly can take advantage of the visa-free regime, what conditions must be met and what to do if your country is not on the list.

Planning a trip abroad? Choose a reliable health insurance policy on the Visit World portal.

Who can travel to China without a visa in 2026?

In 2026, China offers visa-free entry for a period of up to 30 days to passport holders from 46 countries. The country introduced this policy at the end of 2023. Initially, this opportunity became available only to citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia, and over time it covered most European, Asian, Latin American, African and Middle Eastern countries.

Starting November 10, 2025, Swedish citizens will also be able to travel to China without a visa for up to 30 days. This makes Sweden a new member of the list of countries receiving simplified access.

Full list of countries eligible for a 30-day visa-free entry

The program includes countries from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and South America, making it one of China's most comprehensive visa-free policies to date.

Countries on the list include:

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, 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, Uruguay.

Requirements for Visa-Free Entry to China in 2026

​​For visa-free entry to China, you must present:

- A valid passport for the entire period of stay.

- Any documents confirming the purpose and duration of the trip, such as an invitation letter, return ticket, hotel reservation confirmation, etc.

Important! The purpose of the visit is short-term business trips, tourism, family visits and transit trips. China is also introducing a new purpose of stay under the visa-free policy. Exchange visits classified as “type F” stays will now be allowed without a visa. This update is aimed at promoting educational and cultural exchanges between China and other countries.

For visa-free entry to China, all entry checkpoints (air, land or sea) can be used.

There is no limit to the number of times you can use the visa-free regime, but it is important to remember that only an immigration officer has the authority to allow entry into China without a visa.

Can I extend my 30-day stay?

No, the 30-day visa-free stay cannot be extended. If you plan to stay longer, you must either leave the country and re-enter, or apply for an appropriate visa in advance (tourist, student, work, etc.). Overstaying is severely punished by fines, deportation, or a ban on further entry.

New digital arrival card: what's changed

Along with the extension of visa-free travel, China has launched a new digital Arrival Card, replacing paper forms.

Travelers can now fill in their personal, health and previous travel information online via smartphone or special kiosks at airports.

The system is already operational at major airports:

- Beijing Capital

- Shanghai Pudong

- Guangzhou Baiyun

This allows for faster border crossing and reduced queues.

How this has affected the flow of tourists

According to the National Immigration Administration of China, the number of visa-free entries into the country in the third quarter of 2025 exceeded 7.25 million, which is 48% more than last year.

Visa-free visits account for more than 70% of all trips by foreign tourists, demonstrating a significant simplification of access to the country.

What to do if your country is not on the list?

For citizens of some countries not included in the 30-day program, there is an opportunity to take advantage of the 10-day transit visa-free. It is available when transiting through one of the 65 officially designated ports of China and provided that there is a ticket to a third country.

Travelers from 55 countries can now enter through selected ports and stay for up to 10 days for tourism, business or family visits.

This option is convenient for short visits or business trips, but is less flexible than the 30-day visa-free.

The extension of the visa-free regime, the addition of new countries and the launch of a digital arrival card make travel to China much easier. If you are planning a trip in 2025-2026, it is worth checking in advance whether your country is on the list and filling out the Arrival Card before arrival - this will save time and ensure a more comfortable entry.

Planning a trip or moving abroad? A travel insurance policy is an important component of a successful trip, as it guarantees high-quality medical care anywhere in the world and can protect you from unnecessary expenses during your trip.

Buy insurance from trusted agents on the Visit World portal!

Reminder! The visa-free transit period in China has been increased to 10 days. The main goal of this policy is to attract the maximum number of tourists. We have already told you what the conditions of visa-free transit are and which countries can benefit from the benefits.

---

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

---

We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline.