Pick your nationality, length of stay, and trip type, and it tells you in 5 seconds whether you need a visa, qualify for 240-hour transit-free, or are fully visa-free. Updated for 2026.
Source: National Immigration Administration of China & Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2026
How eligibility works
China's entry rules depend on your nationality, length of stay, and whether you transit. The fast paths:
- Visa-free (direct): ~50 countries can visit for up to 30 days without a visa — ideal for tourism.
- 240-hour transit visa-free: 57 countries can enter for up to 10 days if you arrive from one country and depart to a different country/region (incl. Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan).
- Visa required: longer stays, work, study, or nationalities not covered above.
Manual check (do this now)
- Find your country on China's current visa-free list (search "China visa-free [your country] 2026").
- If unsure, assume you need a visa and apply at a Chinese embassy/consulate before flying.
- For transit entry, confirm your arrival → departure countries differ.
- Read the full Visa & Entry guide for documents and common mistakes.
How accurate is this?
This tool reflects China's visa policy as published by the National Immigration Administration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, current to July 2026. The unilateral visa-free arrangement currently runs through 31 Dec 2026 and the 240-hour transit rule is reviewed regularly — always re-confirm a few weeks before you fly, since lists and stay limits do shift.
Quick tips
- Transit visa-free requires TWO different countries — a round-trip to the same place disqualifies it.
- When in doubt, apply for a visa; refusal at the border is far worse than a small fee.
- Rules change — verify within a month of travel.
The #1 visa mistake: booking a round-trip and assuming transit visa-free applies. It requires arriving from A and leaving to B.