China visa-free countries: the unilateral visa exemption list and what it allows
Lists the countries whose ordinary-passport holders may enter mainland China without a visa for up to 30 days, with the National Immigration Administration and Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists each shown with its own date.
Under the unilateral visa exemption, nationals of 50 countries who hold valid ordinary passports may enter mainland China without a visa. The National Immigration Administration (NIA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) each publish a list, and the two are shown separately below with their own dates. The permitted purposes are business, tourism, visits to relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit, with stays of up to 30 days.
National Immigration Administration list
The NIA list page is dated 2026-02-17. Its introductory line reads: "(Compiled according to information released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, as of February 17, 2026)". This site checked the page on 11 October 2026.
The list gives the following counts by region, with country names as printed:
| Region | Count | Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | 35 | Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| Oceania | 2 | Australia, New Zealand |
| Asia | 7 | Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia |
| Americas | 6 | Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Uruguay |
The note under the list says:
Nationals of the above countries holding ordinary passports may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visits to relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit, for stays of up to 30 days. The duration of stay is calculated from 00:00 on the day following the date of entry.
The phrase "stays of up to 30 days" sets the maximum length. Under the NIA note, the count starts at 00:00 on the day after the date of entry, not on the arrival day itself.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs FAQ: number of countries and validity
The English FAQ on the MFA China Consular Services website carries no date of its own. This site checked it on 10 October 2026.
The answer to the first question, "Who does not need a visa?", states the number of countries as "50 countries". It applies to "Nationals holding valid ordinary passports" who come to China "for the purpose of business, tourism, family or friends visits, exchange and transit", and it says they "can stay in China for no more than 30 days without a visa." The answer names the countries in its own text, and that list is not repeated here.
The answer to the second question, "How long will the visa waiver be effective?", gives this table, reproduced as printed:
| Country | Effective period (as printed) |
|---|---|
| Brunei | no expire date |
| Russia | remain in effect until December 31, 2027 |
| Other 48 Countries | remain in effect until December 31, 2026 |
The validity dates are facts that change. Confirm the current list and the expiry dates on the official page before you travel.
Questions people ask
Does the 30-day limit count from the day I arrive?
No. The NIA note says the duration of stay "is calculated from 00:00 on the day following the date of entry." Read the rule as written and check the date with the border authority at entry.
Which passport counts for the visa exemption?
The NIA note refers to "Nationals of the above countries holding ordinary passports", and the MFA answer refers to "Nationals holding valid ordinary passports". Both sources apply the exemption to ordinary passports only.
Does the exemption cover work or study?
The NIA note lists five purposes: business, tourism, visits to relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit. Work and study are not in that list. For other purposes, see the visa classes page at /handbook/visa-classes/.
Suggestion, not a rule: compare the list on the official page with your travel date a few days before you leave, since the lists and validity dates change.
For how entry is decided at the border and what applies in other cases, see /handbook/entry-decision/.
Sources
- List of Countries Covered by Unilateral Visa Exemption Policies, National Immigration Administration
- FAQs on Visa-free Entry into China, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC (China Consular Services)
Checked 11 October 2026
This page is an unofficial summary. It is not published by or affiliated with the National Immigration Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, any embassy, consulate or visa application service centre, and it is not legal or immigration advice. If the official text or the current notice of the office handling your case differs from this page, the official text and that notice prevail.