China has extended visa-free entry for citizens of over 40 countries until December 31, 2026. For travelers, this means less paperwork: with the appropriate passport, one can plan a tourist, business, or transit trip without obtaining a visa.
What has changed
Holders of ordinary passports from participating countries can stay in China without a visa for up to 30 days. The visa-free entry applies to tourism, business trips, visiting relatives or friends, exchanges, and transit.
The list includes, among others, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and several European countries.
Additionally, Sweden has been added to the regime: its citizens can enjoy visa-free entry from November 10, 2025, until the end of 2026. For citizens of the United Kingdom and Canada, the visa-free regime will be in effect from February 17, 2026, and also allows for stays of up to 30 days.
Is it worth going
If you have long been considering a trip to Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, or other Chinese cities, the extension of visa-free entry makes the trip noticeably easier. There’s no need to spend time on a visa application, and a short trip can be combined with a business meeting, a transit stop, or a visit to acquaintances.
At the same time, the rule applies specifically to ordinary passports from the countries listed in the official list. If the purpose of the trip or your documents do not meet the visa-free conditions, a visa will be required before entry.
So, for a short trip, China in 2026 looks significantly more accessible than before: you can travel without a visa for up to 30 days, and the regime has been extended until December 31. Would you take advantage of such an opportunity to travel to China?