- 30-day visa-free
- 50 countries · no onward ticket
- 240-hour transit
- 55 countries · onward ticket required
- Tourist visa (L)
- All countries · 30–90 days/entry
- US citizens
- Transit or L visa (not 30-day)
- Passport validity
- 6 months + 2 blank pages
01Which route applies to you
There are three ways into China, and which one you use depends mainly on your nationality and your flight plan. Most travellers in 2026 do not need to apply for anything in advance.
| Route | Onward ticket? | Max stay | Apply ahead? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day visa-free | No | 30 days | No — just arrive |
| 240-hour transit | Yes (third country) | 10 days | No — just arrive |
| Tourist (L) visa | No | 30–90 days | Yes — embassy |
The simple rule: if your country is on the 30-day visa-free list, use it — it is the least restrictive option. If it is not (notably the United States), use the 240-hour transit if you have an onward ticket, or apply for an L visa. Jump to your nationality for the direct answer.
0230-day visa-free entry
This is the newest and simplest route. Since late 2023 China has rolled out a unilateral visa-free policy that, as of February 2026, covers 50 countries — including the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and most of the EU. Ordinary passport holders from these countries can enter for up to 30 days with no visa and no application.
Unlike the transit scheme, the 30-day policy has almost no strings attached:
- No onward ticket required — you can fly a normal round trip from home and back.
- Any international port — not limited to designated transit airports.
- Travel anywhere in mainland China, for tourism, business, family visits or transit.
The full list of 50 countries whose ordinary passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 30 days (per China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as of 17 February 2026):
| 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, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom |
| Asia (7) | Bahrain, Brunei, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, South Korea, Saudi Arabia |
| Americas (6) | Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Uruguay |
| Oceania (2) | Australia, New Zealand |
The 30-day clock starts at 00:00 on the day after you arrive. The policy is currently confirmed through 31 December 2026 for most countries, with extensions widely expected — but always confirm your nationality against the official list before booking. The United States is not on this list.
03240-hour visa-free transit
If your country is not on the 30-day list — most importantly the United States — the 240-hour (10-day) transit scheme is the main visa-free route. It now covers 55 countries and lets you stay up to 240 hours while transiting China en route to a third destination.
Three conditions must all be true:
- You hold a passport from one of the 55 eligible countries.
- You have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region within the time limit.
- You enter and exit through one of the designated ports (65 ports across 24 provinces).
"Onward to a third country" is where people trip up. A round trip home (A → China → A) does not qualify. A → China → B does — and Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan count as a valid third region for "B". Plan your flights with this in mind before you rely on transit entry.
Once admitted, you can move freely within the designated areas of the participating provinces — so a Shanghai entry can include Suzhou and Hangzhou. China's high-speed rail makes hopping between cities fast and cheap; Shanghai to Beijing takes about 4.5 hours. Check train times and book on Trip.com (English interface, foreign cards accepted).
04The tourist (L) visa
If neither visa-free route fits — you want to stay longer than 30 days, you are American and flying round-trip, or you simply want certainty — the standard tourist (L) visa is the answer. It is open to all nationalities and usually issued in under a week.
Complete the application on the official COVA portal, print it, and sign. Take your time — errors here cause most rejections.
Passport (6+ months, 2 blank pages) and a photo to spec. Since January 2024, US applicants no longer need to submit flight or hotel bookings.
Most Chinese Visa Application Service Centres (CVASC) require an appointment. Bring the printed form and originals.
Standard processing is about four working days; express options exist for an added fee. You pay on collection.
For US citizens the L visa is issued as a 10-year multiple-entry visa by default, allowing unlimited entries with up to 60 days per stay. The fee is around $185 plus service charges. You request "10-year" on the same form — there is no extra step.
05By nationality
The quick answer for the most common passports:
| Nationality | 30-day visa-free? | Best route |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Yes | 30-day visa-free |
| Canada | Yes | 30-day visa-free |
| Australia | Yes | 30-day visa-free |
| New Zealand | Yes | 30-day visa-free |
| EU (most) | Yes | 30-day visa-free |
| United States | No | 240h transit, or 10-year L visa |
Americans: you cannot use the 30-day visa-free policy. If you are passing through to a third country within 10 days, the 240-hour transit covers you. For a round trip from the US or any longer stay, get the 10-year tourist (L) visa — it is the most efficient option for repeat visitors.
UK, Canadian, Australian and most EU travellers: for any trip of 30 days or less, you need nothing in advance — just arrive with a valid passport. The 240-hour transit and the L visa are unnecessary for short visits.
06At the border
Whichever route you take, the arrivals process is quick if you are prepared. Have these ready before you reach the booth:
- Your arrival/departure card and, for transit, the onward ticket on hand.
- The address of your first night's accommodation in Chinese characters.
- Fingerprints are collected at most major airports — follow the kiosk prompts before the desk.
Within 24 hours of arrival you must be registered with local police. Hotels do this automatically; if you stay in a private home or rental, you are responsible for registering at the local station yourself.
07Five costly mistakes
- Assuming the 240-hour transit lets you fly round-trip — it doesn't; that needs the 30-day policy or an L visa.
- A passport with under six months' validity, or fewer than two blank pages.
- Entering through a port that isn't part of the transit scheme when relying on 240-hour transit.
- Skipping police registration within 24 hours after a homestay or rental.
- Counting the transit stay limit in days, not hours — the clock is literal.
08Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to travel to China in 2026?
Often no. If you hold a passport from one of the 50 countries on the 30-day unilateral visa-free list — including the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and most of the EU — you can enter visa-free for up to 30 days with no onward-ticket requirement. US citizens are not on that list, but can use the 240-hour visa-free transit (with an onward ticket to a third country) or apply for a tourist (L) visa.
Can Americans travel to China without a visa?
Not under the 30-day visa-free policy — the United States is not on that list. US citizens can still enter visa-free under the 240-hour (10-day) transit scheme if they have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region. For a round trip from the US, or stays over 10 days, US citizens need a tourist (L) visa, which for Americans is issued as a 10-year multiple-entry visa.
What is the difference between 30-day visa-free and 240-hour transit?
The 30-day visa-free entry has no onward-ticket requirement, lets you fly round-trip, enter through any international port and travel nationwide for up to 30 days. The 240-hour transit requires a confirmed onward ticket to a third country, only works through designated ports, and lasts up to 10 days. If your country is on the 30-day list, use that — it is simpler.
How long can I stay in China without a visa?
Up to 30 days under the unilateral visa-free policy, or up to 240 hours (10 days) under the transit scheme. The clock for visa-free stays starts at 00:00 on the day after you arrive.
How long does a China tourist visa take to get?
Standard processing is about four working days at most Chinese Visa Application Service Centres, with express options for an added fee. Since January 2024, US applicants no longer need to submit flight or hotel bookings for the tourist (L) visa.
What passport validity do I need to enter China?
Your passport should have at least six months of remaining validity and two blank visa pages at the time of entry or visa application.
This page was last re-checked on 10 June 2026 against the official sources below. Entry rules can change without notice; confirm against the official source before you travel.
- NIANational Immigration Administration — unilateral 30-day visa-free country list & 240-hour transit (55 countries).
- MFAMinistry of Foreign Affairs visa centre — visa categories & requirements.
- EMBYour nearest Chinese embassy or consulate — local processing times and fees.
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