China visa-free policy: press kit and data
Facts, charts and sources for journalists, researchers and travel writers. Everything on this page is free to use with a credit to chinavisacheck.com.
As of 7 October 2026, China has not announced whether 30-day visa-free entry for 48 countries will continue after 31 December 2026.
China has extended the policy every year since it began. The last two extensions were announced on 22 November 2024 and 3 November 2025.
What it means for travellers
- Trips that end by 31 December 2026 are not affected.
- Trips from 1 January 2027 cannot rely on visa-free entry until China announces a decision. A visa removes the uncertainty.
- 240-hour visa-free transit, mutual visa exemptions and Hainan visa-free entry have no announced end date and are not part of this decision.
Key numbers
Ordinary passports, mainland China. For 48 of the countries on the 30-day list, the policy is set to end on 31 December 2026.
Charts (free to use)
Timeline
- Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan added to 240-hour transit and Hainan visa-free entry: now 57 and 61 countries. Sources
- Russia extended separately to 31 December 2027. Sources
- United Kingdom and Canada added, until 31 December 2026. Sources
- 45 countries extended to 31 December 2026. Sweden added from 10 November 2025. Sources
- Stay extended from 15 to 30 days. Policy extended to 31 December 2025. Sources
- Trial starts for France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia: 15 days visa-free, until 30 November 2024. Sources
How we check
- Every rule comes from official Chinese sources: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Immigration Administration and Chinese embassies.
- Every day a script compares the official country lists with our data. A person reviews any difference before an answer changes.
- Last verified: 7 October 2026. Rules last changed: 29 September 2026.
- China Visa Check is an independent website, not a government service.
Official sources: cs.mfa.gov.cn · ca.china-embassy.gov.cn · www.news.cn · cs.mfa.gov.cn · en.nia.gov.cn · cs.mfa.gov.cn
Open data
The rules for every passport are free to download and reuse under the CC BY 4.0 licence.
How to cite
China Visa Check (2026). China visa rules by passport. OttoLux. Checked 7 October 2026. https://chinavisacheck.com/china-visa/
In captions and short pieces: Source: chinavisacheck.com
Press contact
Questions, interviews or a data cut for your story: partners@chinavisacheck.com.