ChinaUnlocked

Visa & entry: can you visit China visa-free?

In 2025, more than 70% of foreign visitors entered China without a visa — and the rules keep getting easier. Here's exactly how entry works for European and American passports, and what to do if you don't qualify for a visa-free scheme.

Rules change — verify before booking. This page was last reviewed in October 2026. Always confirm with your nearest Chinese embassy or theNational Immigration Administrationbefore you book flights.

European passports: 30 days, visa-free

Holders of most European passports can currently visit China for up to 30 days per entry, without a visa — for tourism, business meetings and visiting family. No onward-ticket requirement: fly in and out as you please.

Countries in the scheme include:

The scheme is currently in force through 31 December 2026 (it has been extended before, but plan around this date). The 30 days is the maximum stay per entry.

US passports: the 240-hour visa-free transit

The United States is not on the 30-day list — but there's a powerful workaround most Americans have never heard of: 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit.

The idea: if you route through China on your way to a third country or region — and Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan all count — you can enter China without a visa for up to 10 days, with full permission to sightsee.

How it works

  1. Book a route like Los Angeles → Shanghai → Hong Kong, orNew York → Beijing → Bangkok. The middle stop is China; the last stop is a third destination.
  2. Have a confirmed onward ticket departing within 240 hours.
  3. Enter through one of the 65 designated ports — including Beijing (PEK/PKX), Shanghai (PVG/SHA), Guangzhou, Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou and Kunming.
  4. At immigration, state that you're using the 240-hour visa-free transit and show your onward ticket and hotel details.
  5. Stay within the permitted regions — the areas covering Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Kunming are all included — and leave within 240 hours.

A classic 10-day itinerary: 4 days Beijing → high-speed train → 3 days Shanghai → 2 days Hangzhou → fly to Hong Kong. Completely visa-free for American passports.

In total, 57 nationalities qualify for the transit scheme, including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

Hainan island: 30 days, visa-free, 61 nationalities

If you want beaches and rainforest with zero visa paperwork, Hainan is the easiest door into China: citizens of 61 countries — including the US, UK and most of Europe — can stay up to 30 days with no visa at all. Enter and exit through Sanya or Haikou airports, and keep your trip within Hainan province.

Don't qualify? The standard tourist visa

Apply for an L (tourist) visa at your nearest Chinese embassy, consulate or visa application center. You'll typically need a form, photos, and flight and hotel bookings. US citizens can usually get a 10-year multiple-entry visa — fees and validity vary by nationality, so check your local visa center.

FAQ

Do I need to book my onward flight before arrival?

Yes, for the 240-hour transit scheme (and Hainan). Immigration will ask for proof of onward travel — have the booking confirmation ready.

Does Hong Kong really count as a "third country" for transit?

Yes — Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan all count as separate destinations. Routing US → Shanghai → Hong Kong is the single most popular way Americans visit China with no visa. End your trip in Hong Kong and fly home from there.

Can I exit from a different city than I entered?

Yes, as long as you stay within the permitted regions and exit from a designated port within your 240 hours. Enter Beijing, exit Shanghai — that works fine.

What is the 24-hour transit exemption?

If you're just connecting through China with a short layover, almost all ports allow a 24-hour visa-free transit (you'll need a temporary entry permit to leave the airport). For a quick overnight or a city stopover under a day, that's the simplest option.

Can I attend business meetings or work remotely?

The visa-free schemes cover tourism, business meetings and family visits. Paid work for a Chinese employer, study, and journalism all require the appropriate visa. (Working remotely for your own foreign employer is a grey area that depends on the officer at the border — declare it if asked.)

Before you fly: entry checklist

Sources: National Immigration Administration announcement of 20 August 2026, Chinese embassy notices, and 2025 inbound-tourism policy coverage. Reviewed October 2026.