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China 30-day visa-free countries checker

A separate track from 240-hour transit. This page is for ordinary passport holders who may enter China visa-free for up to 30 days under China’s unilateral visa exemption policies.

Official source dateLast checkedLast updatedNext scheduled reviewSource statusOfficial source checked

This guide is checked weekly. If official information changes or a correction is reported, it is reviewed sooner.

Quick answer

As of the official NIA list dated February 17, 2026, nationals of listed 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 is calculated from 00:00 on the day following entry.

Different from 240-hour transit: the 30-day unilateral policy does not require a third-country transit route, but it is limited to listed countries, ordinary passports, listed short-stay purposes, and official policy validity.
Non-official preparation guide: this pre-check compares your answers only with the core conditions published on the linked NIA page. It cannot approve entry or determine whether another visa or visa-free policy applies.

When this policy applies — and when it does not

Applies within the published core conditions

The nationality is listed, the traveler holds an ordinary passport, the purpose is business, tourism, visits to relatives and friends, exchange visits, or transit, and the intended stay is no more than 30 days.

Does not apply through this published policy

An unlisted nationality, a non-ordinary passport, another purpose, or a stay over 30 days falls outside this NIA list and note. This page does not determine any other visa outcome.

Four-gate pre-check

Complete all four gates. Missing or invalid values produce an unclear/incomplete result.

A result is guidance, not approval.

Unclear/incomplete

Complete all four gates to run the pre-check.

Decision table

InputsResultMeaning
All four gates fitLikely within published core conditionsNo mismatch appears against this NIA list and note; this is not approval.
Any explicit mismatchNot covered by this published unilateral policyThis policy does not cover the entered combination. No other visa outcome is determined.
Any value missing or invalidUnclear/incompleteComplete or correct the inputs before drawing a pre-check conclusion.

Listed countries

AndorraAustriaBelgiumBulgariaCroatia
CyprusDenmarkEstoniaFinlandFrance
GermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandIreland
ItalyLatviaLiechtensteinLuxembourgMalta
MonacoMontenegroNetherlandsNorth MacedoniaNorway
PolandPortugalRomaniaRussian FederationSlovakia
SloveniaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUnited Kingdom
AustraliaNew ZealandBahrainBrunei DarussalamJapan
KuwaitOmanRepublic of KoreaSaudi ArabiaArgentina
BrazilCanadaChilePeruUruguay

Preparation checklist

What to do next

If the result is likely within the published core conditions

Open the NIA source below and recheck all four details before travel. The result remains a non-official pre-check.

If the result is not covered

Do not treat this unilateral policy as covering the entered combination. This page does not decide what other visa or policy may apply.

If the result is unclear/incomplete

Complete or correct the missing gate, then run the checker again and compare it with the official source.

Common mistakes

Useful phrase cards

FAQ

Is this the same as mutual visa exemption?

No. Mutual visa exemption agreements may have different countries, passport types, stay durations, and conditions.

Can I work under 30-day visa-free entry?

No. Work requires the correct visa and permits.

When does the 30-day count begin?

The NIA list says the duration is calculated from 00:00 on the day following entry.

Official source

NIA — List of Countries Covered by Unilateral Visa Exemption PoliciesSource date: · Checked: