30-day visa-free
~50 countries · direct visits · up to 30 days · no onward ticket needed.
240-hour transit
55 countries · transiting onward · up to 10 days · onward ticket required.
Tourist (L) visa
Everyone else · apply before you travel · longer stays.
1. 30-day visa-free entry (the easiest route)
Ordinary-passport holders from around 50 countries can enter mainland China with no visa and stay up to 30 days for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, or transit. Eligible countries include the UK, most of Europe (Schengen and beyond), Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Brazil and more. The policy has been extended through the end of 2026, with countries added over time (Sweden was added in late 2025).
- No application, no onward-ticket requirement — just arrive with a valid passport.
- Your 30 days are counted from the day after entry.
- Passport should be valid for the length of your stay (6 months’ validity is the safe norm).
2. 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit
If your country isn’t on the 30-day list — most notably the USA — the transit policy is your friend. Citizens of 55 countries (incl. the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, most of Europe, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Indonesia) can stay up to 10 days visa-free while travelling from one country/region to a third country/region.
This single 240-hour policy replaced the older 72-hour and 144-hour transit programs in December 2024. It now works at 60+ ports across 24 provinces — including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and many more — and you can move freely within those regions during your stay.
- The key rule: you must be heading to a different third country/region (e.g. Country A → China → Country C), with a confirmed onward ticket within 240 hours.
- Going A → China → back to A does not qualify.
- Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan count as separate “regions,” so e.g. USA → Shanghai → Hong Kong can qualify.
3. The tourist (L) visa
Not covered above, or want to stay longer than visa-free allows? Apply for a standard L (tourist) visa at a Chinese embassy, consulate or visa application centre before you travel. You’ll typically need a passport, photo, application form and travel/accommodation details. It’s routine — just allow a couple of weeks.
4. Regional & special schemes
Beyond the national rules, a few regional options exist (confirm current details before relying on them):
- Hainan island: visa-free entry for many nationalities for up to 30 days (tourism), arriving directly to Hainan.
- Cruise & tour-group schemes: certain ports and organised tours (e.g. via Hong Kong/Macau into Guangdong) have their own visa-free arrangements.
5. Hong Kong, Macau & Taiwan are separate
These have their own entry rules, independent of mainland China. Many nationalities enter Hong Kong and Macau visa-free for set periods; Taiwan has its own visa/permit system. A mainland Chinese visa does not cover them, and vice-versa — check each one separately.
Practical tips
- Carry your onward ticket details if using transit — you may be asked at check-in and immigration.
- Register your address within 24 hours of arrival — hotels do this automatically; if staying privately, register at the local police station.
- Keep your passport on you; you’ll need it for trains, hotels and some venues.
- Set up a VPN and key apps before you arrive (see our Is China safe for LGBTQ+ travellers? guide).
Questions about planning a trip? partnership@unveilchina.com · Updated June 2026.
