Entry rules
China (mainland)entry requirements
U.S. citizens need a visa to visit mainland China, unless they are transiting to a third country: then they can stay up to 240 hours (10 days) visa-free. British, Canadian, Australian and most EU citizens can visit for up to 30 days without a visa until December 31, 2026.
Checked against official sources Oct 29, 2026 · Sources
Do you need a visa or travel authorization?
| Passport | What you need | Maximum stay |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. citizens | Visa needed The United States is not on China’s list of countries with 30-day visa-free entry. U.S. citizens can use 240-hour visa-free transit if they arrive from one country and fly on to a different third country within 240 hours, through one of the designated ports. | Set by your visa |
| British citizens | No visa needed 30-day visa-free entry for British citizens since February 17, 2026, currently until December 31, 2026. Not for work, study or journalism. | 30 days |
| Canadians | No visa needed 30-day visa-free entry for Canadians since February 17, 2026, currently until December 31, 2026. Not for work, study or journalism. | 30 days |
| Australians | No visa needed 30-day visa-free entry, currently until December 31, 2026. Not for work, study or journalism. | 30 days |
| EU citizens | No visa needed 30-day visa-free entry for 25 of the 27 EU countries, currently until December 31, 2026. Not for work, study or journalism. Different for: CZ (visa), LT (visa). Use the trip check for your country. | 30 days |
Passport rules
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after the day you arrive, according to UK and Canadian government advice. For 240-hour visa-free transit, China’s National Immigration Administration requires at least 3 months.
Blank pages: 2 blank pages (GOV.UK advice).
- British citizens: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the day you arrive.
- Canadians: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the day you arrive.
Airlines check this at check-in. If your passport is close to the limit, renew it first: see the 6-month passport rule explained.
Changing planes in China (mainland)
- U.S. citizens: Nothing extra if you stay airside. Up to 24 hours without leaving the airport’s restricted area needs no visa. To leave the airport, U.S. citizens can use 240-hour visa-free transit if flying on to a third country.
- British citizens, Canadians, Australians and EU citizens: Nothing extra if you stay airside. Up to 24 hours without leaving the restricted area needs no visa.
More: Do I need a transit visa?
Arrival card
Fill in the Arrival Card for Foreigners, which is free, online before you travel, or on arrival. It can be filled in online before travel or at the airport by QR code or paper. China’s National Immigration Administration warns about fake websites that charge for it.
Official site: s.nia.gov.cn. Unofficial sites may charge for this free form.
Good to know
- 240-hour visa-free transit has conditions: an ordinary passport valid at least 3 months, a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region (not back where you came from) leaving within 240 hours, arrival and departure through designated ports, and staying within the permitted provinces. The 240 hours count from midnight after you arrive.
- The 30-day visa-free policy for the UK, Canada, Australia and most EU countries currently ends on December 31, 2026. Past extensions have been announced in November; we will update this page if it is extended.
Official links
- National Immigration Administration: visa-free policies
- National Immigration Administration: 240-hour visa-free transit
- Online arrival card (official)
Watch for look-alike sites. Use only the official addresses above. Sites that “process” your application charge extra for the same official form. How to spot a fake visa site.
Official sources
- Visa-Free Transit Policies | National Immigration Administration (2026-08-20) ·
North America (2 countries): Canada, United States
· checked 2026-10-29 - China travel advice: Entry requirements | GOV.UK ·
Until 31 December 2026, you can enter China visa free for stays of up to 30 days for business, tourism, family or friend visits or transit.
· checked 2026-10-29 - Notice on China's Visa Waiver Policy for the UK and Canada | Chinese Embassy in the UK (2026-02-15) ·
From 00:00 on February 17, 2026 to 24:00 on December 31, 2026 (Beijing time), ordinary passport holders from the UK and Canada can be exempted from visa to enter China and stay for up to 30 days
· checked 2026-10-29 - Travel advice and advisories for China | travel.gc.ca (last updated 26 October 2026) ·
Until December 31, 2026, Canadian passport holders are included in China's visa waiver travel scheme. During this period, you may be eligible for visa‑free entry for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits or transit.
· checked 2026-10-29 - List of Countries Covered by Unilateral Visa Exemption Policies | National Immigration Administration (2026-02-17) ·
Oceania (2 countries): Australia, New Zealand
· checked 2026-10-29 - Beware of Fraudulent Websites for Arrival Card Filling | National Immigration Administration (2025-12-05) ·
NIA hereby warns that the online arrival card filling, as an innovative service to facilitate entry into China, is free of charge.
· checked 2026-10-29 - Notice on Implementing Online Filling of the Arrival Card | Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles (2025-12-02) ·
Effective November 20th, 2025, foreigners may fill in the relevant entry information online before coming to China through NIA's official website, Government Service Platform, "NIA 12367" APP and WeChat (Alipay) mini program
· checked 2026-10-29
If an official page says something different from this page, the official page is right. Tell us and we’ll fix it.
Get an email when these rules change
Only when an official entry rule we track changes: a new travel authorization, a fee, a start date or a passport rule. At most once a week, with the official source for every change.