Before you come

Can you visit China visa-free?

Most of our travellers can now enter China with no visa at all. Here's how — in plain English.

China has opened up. If you hold an ordinary passport from much of Europe, the Americas, and many other countries, you can very likely arrive with nothing but your passport. Find the route that fits you below — and if you're unsure, just ask us.

Up to 30 days

Visa-free entry

Arrive with just your passport — no visa, no application, no fee.

Who it's for

Ordinary passport holders from around 50 countries — including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Japan and many more. (Policy currently confirmed through 31 December 2026.)

How it works

Come for tourism, business, family visits or transit and stay up to 30 days. Book your flight and go.

Check that your country is on the current list before booking — we'll confirm it with you.

Up to 10 days

240-hour visa-free transit

Passing through China on the way somewhere else? Stay up to 10 days without a visa.

Who it's for

Passport holders from 55 countries — most of Europe, plus the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and more.

How it works

Enter through a designated port in one of 24 provinces or cities, holding an onward ticket to a third country or region. Stay up to 240 hours (10 days).

You must be travelling onward to a different country or region — not back to where you flew from.

Hainan · 30 days

Hainan free-trade island

China's tropical island of Hainan welcomes even more nationalities visa-free.

Who it's for

Visitors from around 59 countries.

How it works

Fly directly into Hainan and stay up to 30 days, visa-free.

This applies to Hainan island only — for the mainland, see the two options above.

Visa rules change often. This is a friendly guide, not official advice — always confirm your country's current policy with a Chinese embassy or with us on WhatsApp before you book your flights.

Not sure which one is you?

Tell us your passport and your plans — we'll confirm exactly what you need to enter China, free, on WhatsApp.

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