China’s unilateral visa exemption now covers dozens of nationalities for stays of up to 30 days.
Why there is no country list here
The list changes, and our two official sources disagree. The National Immigration Administration publishes a list noted “as of February 17, 2026”. The State Council’s explainer refers to 43 countries. The two do not reconcile, so check the list on the official page linked below on the day you book, not on a copy elsewhere.
The rules below have been stable.
Thirty days, counted from the day after you arrive
Stays are capped at 30 days. The count starts at 00:00 on the day after entry and runs as continuous calendar days. Your arrival day is not day one, so a 30 day stay is a full 30 days rather than 29.
What it covers
It covers business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchange visits, and transit.
It does not cover work, study, journalism or similar activities. Those need the appropriate visa.
Your passport matters as well as your nationality
You need an ordinary passport valid for the whole of your intended stay. Holders of travel documents, temporary documents or emergency documents cannot enter under the exemption, even when their nationality is on the list. This catches people replacing a lost passport abroad.
Paperwork and evidence
Eligible travelers need no advance declaration to a Chinese embassy or consulate.
Carry supporting documents such as an invitation letter, flight tickets and hotel bookings. A booked tour counts too, because it evidences the itinerary and the intention the officer is assessing. Entry stays at the border officer’s discretion, so keep the evidence to hand.
Eligible travelers may enter from any country by air, sea or road, except where the law specifies otherwise.
Tours in China, which also evidence the itinerary a border officer is assessing (affiliate link)