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Can you skip the visa? Usually, yes.

Two policies cover most Western passports in 2026 — one for direct visits, one for stopovers. Check which one stamps you in, what the border officer actually wants to see, and where people get turned around.

ED by entry_desk ◆ guide · updated · 7 min read Official source ✓ Worked recently × 214

Interactive · 60-second answer

Will they stamp you in?

Pick your passport. We match it against the current entry policies and tell you which rule applies — and what to bring.

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01Two rules cover almost everyone

China's 2026 entry setup is simpler than it looks: a 30-day unilateral visa-free policy for 40+ passports visiting China directly, and a 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit for 55 nationalities passing through to somewhere else. A handful of countries also have mutual exemption agreements with their own terms.

The two policies, side by side
 30-day visa-free240-hour transit
Who40+ passports (most of Europe, Australia, NZ, Japan, S. Korea, Malaysia, much of Latin America & the Gulf)55 nationalities, including the US, Mexico, Czechia, Ukraine
Trip shapeFly in and out of China freelyMust continue to a third country or region
StayUp to 30 daysUp to 240 hours from 00:00 the day after entry
WhereAll of mainland China65 designated ports; stay within permitted provinces
PaperworkArrival card onlyArrival card + confirmed onward ticket

02The 30-day rule, in practice

If your passport is on the unilateral list, you simply board the plane. No application, no fee, no print-outs beyond your arrival card. The policy covers tourism, business, family visits, exchanges and transit, and the current trial runs through 31 December 2026.

The 30 days count from the day after entry, and the stay cannot be extended for convenience — if your plans might stretch, get a visa before flying. Border officers occasionally ask for proof of onward travel and your first hotel address; have both reachable offline.

The Li River winding through karst peaks near Yangshuo — reachable visa-free on the 30-day rule
30 DAYS IS ENOUGH FOR A LOT — THE LI RIVER LOOP TAKES FOUR.

03The 240-hour transit, step by step

This is the rule that matters for US passports — British and Canadian passports moved onto the 30-day visa-free list on 17 Feb 2026. The logic: China lets you stop over visa-free as long as you're genuinely in transit — meaning your next stop is a different country or region than the one you came from (Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan count as different regions).

  1. Book a routing where China sits between two different places — e.g. London → Shanghai → Tokyo. A round trip back to your origin does not qualify.
  2. Enter at one of the 65 designated ports (all major international airports qualify). File your arrival card online before landing.
  3. At immigration, use the staffed lane and say "240-hour transit". Show your passport and the confirmed onward ticket departing within 240 hours.
  4. Stay within the permitted provinces of your entry region — cross-province travel is allowed across most of eastern China, but check your port's zone.
  5. Exit from any eligible port before your 240 hours run out. The clock starts at 00:00 the day after entry.
⚠ Common refusal

"Onward ticket" means a booked seat, not an itinerary quote. Travelers get pulled aside for unticketed reservations or for routings that return to the origin country. When in doubt, buy a cheap onward leg you can change.

04At the border: what they actually check

Whatever rule you enter under, the desk wants four things: a passport with 6+ months validity, your arrival card (file it online before boarding — 4 minutes), your first night's address, and for transit, the onward ticket. Screenshot everything; airport wifi requires a Chinese number.

After entry, remember the registration rule: hotels register you automatically; if you're staying with friends or in a private rental, you must register at the local police station within 24 hours.

05Questions the board answers weekly

Do I need a visa to visit China in 2026?

Many travelers no longer do. 40+ passports enter visa-free for up to 30 days (trial through 31 Dec 2026), and 55 nationalities get 240-hour visa-free transit when continuing to a third country or region. Everyone else needs a visa before travel.

What is the 240-hour visa-free transit?

Up to 240 hours (10 days) in China without a visa, when transiting to a different country or region. Requirements: entry at one of 65 designated ports, a confirmed onward ticket leaving within 240 hours, and staying within the permitted provinces.

Do US passport holders get visa-free entry?

Not for direct visits. US citizens aren't on the 30-day list, but qualify for the 240-hour transit when flying on to a third country or region. For a China-only round trip, a visa is still required.

What do I need to show at the border?

Passport valid 6+ months, completed arrival card (file online before landing), your first night's address, and — for transit — the confirmed onward ticket.

Can I extend a visa-free stay?

No, except in documented emergencies. If you might stay longer, apply for a visa before travel. Overstays carry fines and can affect future entries.