China Visa Policy: How Long Can You Stay Without a Visa?
China has opened up significantly in the past two years. Depending on where you’re from, you might not need a visa at all — or you might only need one small workaround to get 10 days without any paperwork.
Here’s what you need to know.
↓ Use our tool to check your visa type↓
Updated February 2026 · Source: China National Immigration Administration
Overview: China's 3 visa-free options
Option 1
30-day visa-free
~50 countries · Tourism, business, family visits · Valid until Dec 31, 2026
Option 2
240-hour transit
55 countries incl. USA · Must transit to a 3rd country · 24 provinces
Option 3
Hainan 30-day
59 countries incl. USA · Fly directly into Hainan · Hainan only
Option 1 — 30-day visa-free entry (the easy one)
If your country is on the list, you just show up. No application, no embassy visit, no appointment. You enter China on your ordinary passport and can stay up to 30 days.
This currently covers about 50 countries — including most of Europe, the UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, the UAE, and several Latin American countries. China has been expanding this list aggressively since 2023.
You can travel freely across 24 provinces, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu, and Guilin. Tibet and Xinjiang are not included.
A few things to know:
- The 30 days starts counting from 00:00 the day after you arrive (not the moment you land).
- It’s valid for tourism, business meetings, visiting family, and transit. Not for working or studying.
- You cannot extend the stay once you’re in China. If you want to stay longer, you need to apply for a visa before you go.
- Russia is also on the list, but on a separate trial arrangement that expires September 14, 2026.
Policy valid until: December 31, 2026 (likely to be renewed).
Option 2 — 240-hour transit (10 days, no visa needed)
If your country is not on the 30-day list — like the United States — there’s still a way to visit China without a visa.
The 240-hour transit policy lets you stay up to 10 days as long as you’re traveling through China on your way somewhere else.
The key rule: your trip must go from Country A → China → Country B.
BUT: You can use Hong Kong or Macau (little-known trick)
We recommend using Hong Kong or Macau as a “reset point.”
This means: when your 240-hour stay is about to expire, you can visit one of these 2 places and then re-enter China — giving you a fresh new 10-day transit stay.
Alternatively, you can also plan Hong Kong or Macau as your final stop before heading home, which still satisfies the transit visa-free requirement.
You can travel freely across 24 provinces, including Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu, and Guilin. Tibet and Xinjiang are not included.
You need:
- A valid passport (3+ months before expiry)
- An onward ticket to a third country within 240 hours
- Entry through one of 65 designated ports
Option 3 — Hainan Island (30 days, even for US passport holders)
This one surprises a lot of people.
Citizens of 59 countries — including the United States — can visit Hainan Island visa-free for up to 30 days, as long as they fly directly into Hainan from outside mainland China.
The catch: you must stay within Hainan Province. If you enter Hainan and then try to travel to Beijing or Shanghai, you’ll need a visa. But if Hainan is your destination, this is a completely legitimate way to visit China without any visa hassle.
Still need a visa?
If none of the above applies to your nationality, you’ll need to apply for a tourist visa (L visa) at a Chinese embassy or consulate before you travel. It’s not complicated, but give yourself 3–4 weeks before your trip. You’ll need your passport, a photo, your rough itinerary, and hotel booking confirmation.