China has become one of Asia's easiest big destinations to visit, thanks largely to a visa-free policy that lets citizens of dozens of countries stay for up to 30 days without a visa. But for most of those countries, the current policy has an end date: 31 December 2026. As of mid-October, we have found no official announcement extending it into 2027.
If you are planning a trip to Beijing, Shanghai or Chengdu for the new year or spring, here is where things stand and how to plan around the uncertainty.
Who can visit China visa-free now
According to China's consular service, holders of ordinary passports from 50 countries can currently enter China without a visa for up to 30 days for business, tourism, visiting family or friends, exchanges and transit. They include:
- most of the EU, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden and Poland,
- the UK, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland,
- Australia and New Zealand,
- Japan and South Korea,
- Canada,
- Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay,
- Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain.
The end dates differ:
- Brunei: no expiry date.
- Russia: extended to 31 December 2027, announced by China's foreign ministry in May.
- The other 48 countries: valid until 31 December 2026.
China has extended and expanded the scheme several times since it began. Until Beijing announces another extension, though, travellers on these passports should not assume visa-free entry after 31 December.
The policy does not cover work, study or journalism. China's consular FAQ also says border officers check the purpose of travel, and recommends carrying supporting documents such as return tickets, hotel bookings or invitation letters.
The other route: 240-hour visa-free transit
There is a second, separate scheme. China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) says nationals of 57 countries, including the US, the UK, Canada, Mexico, Indonesia and the UAE, can use 240-hour visa-free transit. Under it, travellers can stay up to 10 days if they:
- hold an ordinary passport,
- are travelling on to a third country or region (not back to where they came from), with a confirmed onward ticket,
- enter through one of 65 designated ports in 24 provinces and regions, and stay within the permitted areas.
China added Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam to the list on 20 August 2026. For US citizens, whose country is not on the 30-day visa-free list, this transit route is the main way to visit without a visa, for example on a trip from the US to Shanghai that continues to Tokyo or Seoul.
Why it matters
Visa-free travel has driven a sharp rise in visitors. According to Xinhua, citing the NIA, visa-free entries into China rose 30.6% year on year to more than 17.8 million in the first half of 2026, accounting for more than three-quarters of all foreign arrivals.
How to plan a trip into 2027
- Check your exact dates. If you will be in China entirely before 31 December 2026 and your country is on the list, the current rules cover you.
- For trips from January 2027, watch for an announcement. Check China's foreign ministry, the consular service website or your local Chinese embassy for news of an extension.
- Choose refundable bookings. If you book early-2027 travel now, pick flights and hotels you can change in case you need time to get a visa.
- Consider the transit option. If your itinerary continues to a third country, the 240-hour transit scheme may work, regardless of the 30-day policy.
- Count your days carefully. The 30-day limit is strict. For longer stays, apply for a visa.
- Get your payments sorted before you go. China relies heavily on mobile payment apps. Set them up and link a foreign card before you travel, and carry some cash.
FAQ
Is China still visa-free in 2027? For Russia, yes, until the end of 2027. For the other 48 countries on the list, the policy currently ends on 31 December 2026, and no extension had been announced as of mid-October.
Can US citizens visit China without a visa? Not under the 30-day policy. They can use the 240-hour visa-free transit scheme if they travel on to a third country with a confirmed ticket.
How long can I stay in China visa-free? Up to 30 days under the unilateral policy, or up to 10 days under the 240-hour transit scheme.
Can I work or study in China on visa-free entry? No. Both schemes exclude work, study and journalism.
Sources
- China Consular Service: FAQs on visa-free entry into China
- National Immigration Administration: Visa-free transit policies
- Xinhua via gov.cn: China adds Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam to 240-hour visa-free transit program (20 August 2026)
- Xinhua via gov.cn: China to extend visa-free policy for Russian citizens (20 May 2026)
