China now offers visa-free entry to travellers from 79 countries, making it easier than ever to visit without navigating a lengthy visa process. The latest expansion — adding Canada and the United Kingdom from 17 February 2026 — brings the total to 48 countries under China’s unilateral visa-free policy, plus over 30 countries with mutual visa exemption agreements.
Whether you’re planning a holiday in Beijing, a business trip to Shanghai, or a beach break on Hainan Island, there are now three distinct visa-free routes into China — each with different rules, durations, and eligible countries.
What Changed: China’s Visa-Free Expansion Explained
A Rapid Expansion Since 2023
China’s visa-free programme has grown dramatically. When borders reopened in late 2023, just 15 countries had visa-free access. By November 2025, that number had risen to 46 under the unilateral policy alone, with Sweden added to the list. In February 2026, Canada and the UK joined, bringing the unilateral total to 48.
Combined with roughly 30 countries holding mutual visa exemption agreements — including the UAE, Qatar, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand — the total now stands at approximately 79 countries whose citizens can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Who From the Middle East and Asia Qualifies?
Several countries in Wego’s core audience already have visa-free access through mutual agreements:
- UAE — mutual visa exemption, 30-day stay
- Qatar — mutual visa exemption, 30-day stay
- Saudi Arabia — unilateral visa-free, 30-day stay
- Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman — unilateral visa-free, 30-day stay
- Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei — mutual visa exemption, 30-day stay
- Japan, South Korea — unilateral visa-free, 30-day stay
Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Filipino passport holders are not currently eligible for visa-free entry under any of the three programmes. Citizens of these countries still need to apply for a Chinese visa through the regular process.
30-Day Visa-Free Entry: Requirements and Conditions
Eligible Countries Under the Unilateral Policy (48 Countries)
The unilateral policy covers 48 countries, valid through 31 December 2026. Eligible nationalities include:
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| Europe | France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Ireland, Portugal, Greece, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, UK |
| Middle East | Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman |
| Asia-Pacific | Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand |
| Americas | Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Canada |
This is in addition to the ~30 countries with mutual visa exemption agreements, including the UAE, Qatar, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia, Brunei, and the Maldives.
Entry Requirements
Even with visa-free access, you’ll need to meet these conditions:
- Passport validity: at least 3 months remaining from your date of entry
- Maximum stay: 30 days per visit
- Allowed purposes: tourism, business, family visits, cultural exchange, and transit
- Entry points: any international port of entry in China
Long-term work or study is not covered — you’ll need the appropriate visa for those purposes.
240-Hour Transit Visa-Free: A 10-Day Stopover Option
How It Works
Separate from the 30-day programme, China’s 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free policy lets citizens of 55 countries stop over in China without a visa — as long as you’re travelling onward to a third country. This is ideal if you’re connecting through Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou and want to explore the city during your layover.
Key Requirements
- Confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region (not back to your origin)
- Passport with 3+ months validity
- Entry through one of 65 designated ports across 24 provinces
- Stay within permitted areas — you can now travel across provinces within the designated zones
Eligible Countries (55 Total)
The 240-hour transit list includes the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, all EU countries, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, the UAE, and Qatar. Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Chile are also covered.
Major Entry Ports
As of November 2025, 65 ports across 24 provinces are eligible. Key airports include:
- Beijing Capital (PEK) and Beijing Daxing (PKX)
- Shanghai Pudong (PVG)
- Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN)
- Chengdu Tianfu (CTU)
- Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX)
- Xi’an Xianyang (XIY)
New ports added in November 2025 include Hong Kong West Kowloon Railway Station and several Guangdong crossings, making overland entry from Hong Kong and Macau easier than ever.
Hainan Island: 30-Day Visa-Free for 59 Countries
A Standalone Policy for Hainan Province
Hainan Island has its own visa-free programme, separate from the national policy. Citizens of 59 countries — including the US, all major European countries, Russia, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and several Southeast Asian nations — can enter Hainan without a visa for up to 30 days.
Search interest in Hainan has seen breakout growth on Google Trends, driven by the island’s duty-free shopping, tropical beaches, and growing reputation as China’s answer to Southeast Asian resort destinations.
Important Restrictions
- Hainan only: you cannot travel to mainland China under this policy. Leaving Hainan Province requires a separate visa
- Direct flights or transit via Hong Kong/Macau: you must fly into Hainan directly from abroad, or connect through Hong Kong or Macau
- Documents needed: return flight ticket, hotel booking, and travel itinerary within Hainan
- No advance application: a Temporary Entry Permit is issued on arrival at Haikou (HAK) or Sanya (SYX)
For travellers from countries not covered by the national visa-free policy — such as the US, Russia, and Ukraine — Hainan’s standalone programme offers a useful alternative for a beach holiday without a visa application.
Planning Your Trip: Flights and Hotels on Wego
Getting There
Major airlines connecting the Middle East and Asia to China include Emirates, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Air India, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific. Chinese carriers like Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern also operate extensive international networks.
Search and compare flights to Beijing, flights to Shanghai, flights to Guangzhou, or flights to Haikou on Wego.
Where to Stay
Compare hotel deals for China’s top destinations:
- Hotels in Beijing
- Hotels in Shanghai
- Hotels in Guangzhou
- Hotels in Sanya (Hainan)
- Hotels in Xi’an
- Hotels in Chengdu
Practical Tips
Mobile payments: Alipay and WeChat Pay now accept international credit cards, so you can link your Visa or Mastercard and pay almost everywhere — from street food stalls to metro tickets.
SIM and connectivity: Pick up a local SIM at the airport or order an eSIM before you travel. Note that Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram are blocked — download a VPN before arrival if you need these services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Indian passport holders visit China visa-free?
No. India is not currently included in any of China’s visa-free programmes. Indian nationals must apply for a Chinese visa through the regular application process at the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate.
Can I combine the 240-hour transit with the 30-day visa-free stay?
No. These are separate programmes. If your country qualifies for the 30-day visa-free entry (like the UAE or Saudi Arabia), you don’t need the transit programme — you can enter directly for up to 30 days. The 240-hour transit option is mainly useful for countries included in the transit list but not the 30-day list, such as the US.
Is the visa-free policy permanent?
Not yet. The current unilateral visa-free policy runs through 31 December 2026 on a trial basis. Chinese officials have indicated it could be made permanent if inbound tourism numbers continue to grow. Mutual visa exemption agreements (UAE, Qatar, Singapore, etc.) are governed by separate bilateral treaties and have their own terms.
Can I travel from Hainan to mainland China without a visa?
No. The Hainan visa-free policy restricts you to Hainan Province only. If you want to visit mainland cities like Beijing or Shanghai, you’ll need either a separate visa or to qualify under the 30-day national visa-free programme.
Sources
- National Immigration Administration — List of Countries Covered by Unilateral Visa Exemption
- State Council of China — China to grant visa-free policy to Canadian, British nationals from Feb. 17
- State Council of China — China widens visa-free access in latest opening-up move
- Chinese Embassy in the US — 240-hour Visa-Free Transit Policy Coverage Extended to 55 Countries
- Chinese Embassy in the US — Hainan 59 Countries Visa-free Entry Policy Guide
- National Immigration Administration — Details of Mutual Visa Exemption Agreements
- Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs — List of Mutual Visa Exemption Agreements
- State Council of China — 240-hour visa-free transit policy details
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
