China's unilateral visa-free policy now covers most of Europe, plus Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and more — up to 30 days, tourism included, no application, no fee. You book a flight, you land, you get stamped. Below is the current list and the small print people miss.
Passports that enter visa-free (30 days, unilateral policy)
Argentina · Australia · Austria · Belgium · Brazil · Brunei · Bulgaria · Canada · Chile · Croatia · Cyprus · Czech Republic · Denmark · Estonia · Finland · France · Germany · Greece · Hungary · Iceland · Ireland · Italy · Japan · Latvia · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Malaysia · Malta · Mexico · Monaco · Netherlands · New Zealand · North Macedonia · Norway · Peru · Poland · Portugal · Romania · Russia · Saudi Arabia · Slovakia · Slovenia · South Korea · Spain · Sweden · Switzerland · United Kingdom · Uruguay
Additionally, these countries have mutual visa-exemption agreements with China (rules vary slightly by agreement):
Belarus · Kazakhstan · Kyrgyzstan · Qatar · Serbia · Singapore · Tajikistan · Thailand · United Arab Emirates
Policies get extended and adjusted — the list above is current as of mid-2026. If your trip is months away, re-check before booking non-refundable flights.
What you actually need at the border
- Passport valid 6+ months beyond your entry date.
- An onward or return ticket within 30 days — border officers can ask for it.
- Hotel address for your first nights — you'll write it on the arrival card. If you stay with friends, you must register at the local police station within 24 hours (hotels do this for you automatically).
Not on the list? You still have the 240-hour transit option
US, Indian and some other passport holders still need a visa for a normal visit — but the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit covers 54 nationalities including the United States: enter China on the way to a third country or region, stay up to 10 days in the permitted areas. For a Beijing + Shanghai + Chengdu loop that ends in, say, Tokyo or Bangkok instead of back home, it works beautifully. See our full 240-hour transit guide.