Planning a Trip to China? Here’s the Updated China Visa Free Country List
Dreaming of exploring China’s iconic landmarks, buzzing cities, and rich cultural heritage without the hassle of applying for a visa?
Good news —
China has expanded its visa-free access for several countries in 2025! Whether you’re planning a short getaway or a longer holiday, this guide breaks down which countries can travel to China visa free, how long you can stay, and what you need to know before you go.
Let’s find out if your passport lets you skip the visa queue and jump straight into your China adventure!
Countries That Can Visit China Visa-Free in 2025
1) Unilateral Visa-Free Policy for 38 Countries (30 Days)
Big news for international travelers — China has expanded its visa-free access to 38 countries as part of a broader move to boost tourism and global exchange. If you're from one of these countries, you're in luck!
From 30 November 2024 to 31 December 2025, travelers holding ordinary passports from the following countries can enter Mainland China without a visa and stay for up to 30 days:
Region | Eligible Countries |
Asia | Japan, Malaysia, Brunei, South Korea |
Oceania | Australia, New Zealand |
Europe | 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, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland |
Eligible travelers can stay in China for up to 30 days without a visa — a big jump from the previous 15-day limit for some countries.
2) Mutual Visa-Free Exemption Arrangements (30 Days)
Unlike China’s unilateral visa-free policy, which is offered independently to certain countries, mutual visa-free exemption arrangements are two-way agreements between China and another country. These agreements allow citizens of both nations to travel visa-free for short stays, typically up to 30 days per visit, for purposes such as tourism, business, family visits, or transit.
As of 2025, China has signed such agreements with Singapore, Thailand, and Georgia, reflecting deeper diplomatic ties and a shared commitment to boosting travel and people-to-people exchange.
Mutual Visa-Free Exemption Arrangements (30 Days) | Details |
🇸🇬 Singapore-China Visa-Free Agreement | Effective February 9, 2024, Singapore and China implemented a reciprocal visa exemption allowing citizens of both countries holding ordinary passports to enter each other's territory visa-free for up to 30 days per visit. This arrangement superseded the previous 15-day visa-free facility for Singaporeans visiting China. |
|---|
🇹🇭 Thailand-China Visa-Free Agreement | Similarly, from March 1, 2024, Thailand and China established a mutual visa exemption agreement. Under this policy, Thai citizens with valid ordinary passports can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days per visit. The total stay period for an individual should not exceed 90 days within any 180-day period. |
🇬🇪 Georgia-China Visa-Free Agreement | As of March 28, 2024, China and Georgia have implemented a mutual visa exemption agreement. This allows citizens of both countries holding ordinary passports to enter each other’s territory visa-free for up to 30 days per visit. Under this agreement, Georgian nationals can travel to China for tourism, business, family visits, or transit, without needing to apply for a visa in advance. However, like the agreement with Thailand, the cumulative stay cannot exceed 90 days within any 180-day period. |
3) Transit Visa-Free Access: Now Up to 240 Hours (10 Days)
China has significantly relaxed its
transit visa-free policy, allowing eligible travelers from
54 countries to stay in the country for up to
240 hours (10 days) without a visa. This is an extension from the previous limits of 72 and 144 hours.
Here is the full list of 54 countries eligible for China’s 240-hour (10-day) transit visa-free policy as of December 2024:
Region | Eligible Countries |
Europe | Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom |
Asia | Brunei, Japan, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Singapore |
Oceania | Australia, New Zealand |
Americas | Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, United States |
Middle East | Israel, Qatar, United Arab Emirates |
These travelers can now enter China visa-free for up to 240 hours via 60 ports in 24 provinces and must hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country.
Entry and Exit Points
Eligible travelers can enter and exit through 60 designated ports across 24 provinces and municipalities, including major international airports such as:
Beijing Capital International Airport
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
Permitted Travel Areas
Travelers can move freely within the 24 provinces and municipalities designated under this policy. Notably, the allowed areas have been expanded to include entire provinces such as Anhui, Hainan, and Guizhou.
The 24 provinces include:
Beijing Municipality
Tianjin Municipality
Hebei Province
Liaoning Province
Heilongjiang Province
Shanghai Municipality
Jiangsu Province
Zhejiang Province
Fujian Province (now includes entire province)
Shandong Province
Henan Province
Hubei Province (now includes entire province)
Hunan Province
Guangdong Province
Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (expanded to 12 cities including Nanning, Guilin, Beihai)
Chongqing Municipality
Sichuan Province
Yunnan Province
Shaanxi Province (now includes the entire province)
Shanxi Province (limited to Taiyuan and Datong)
Anhui Province (entire province)
Jiangxi Province (Nanchang and Jingdezhen only)
Hainan Province (entire province)
Guizhou Province (entire province)
Visa-Free Transit Policy Requirements
To utilize the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, travelers must:
Hold a passport valid for at least three months from the date of entry.
Possess a confirmed onward ticket to a third country (region) departing within 240 hours.
Enter and exit through one of the 60 designated ports.
Stay within the permitted areas during the transit period.
This policy is ideal for travelers making short stops in China en route to other destinations. It offers an excellent opportunity to explore multiple regions without the need for a visa.
Tips for Planning Your Trip to China
Now that you know if you can travel to
China visa-free, it’s time to start planning the fun part — your itinerary! Whether you’re drawn to the imperial history of
Beijing or the vibrant modern energy of
Shanghai, there’s no shortage of things to do.
In
Beijing, don’t miss a chance to walk through the
Forbidden City, one of the largest and best-preserved ancient palaces in the world. A visit to the
Great Wall of China at the Mutianyu section is a must for its scenic views and fewer crowds.
In
Shanghai, spend a magical day at
Shanghai Disneyland — the only one of its kind in mainland China. Take a night cruise along the
Huangpu River for stunning views of the skyline, or head up to the
Shanghai Tower observation deck to see the city from the second tallest building in the world.
Before you go, be sure to
download essential apps for transport, translation, and payments in China — they’ll make your trip much smoother. Also, don’t forget to pack a travel adapter! China uses Type A, C, and I plugs, with a standard voltage of 220V.
For more help planning your route, check out our full
Beijing and
Shanghai itineraries, plus handy guides on what to pack and apps you’ll want on your phone.
Whether you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime tour through Beijing’s ancient landmarks, a short layover in Shanghai, or a business trip to Guangzhou — China’s new visa-free policies make it easier than ever to visit.
With 38 countries granted 30-day visa-free access, and a generous 240-hour transit option for 54 countries, China is opening its doors to the world in 2025!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries are eligible for 30-day visa-free entry to China?
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Georgia, Singapore, and Thailand.
Can I extend my visa-free stay in China?
Visa-free stays (including the 30-day and 240-hour transit policies) cannot be extended once you're in China. If you plan to stay longer, you must apply for the appropriate visa in advance.
Can I use the 240-hour transit visa-free policy for round trips?
No. The 240-hour policy only applies when transiting to a third country (not returning to the one you came from).
For example:
✔️ Allowed: London → Shanghai → Tokyo
❌ Not Allowed: London → Shanghai → London
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