China Visa Guide (2026) — Types, 144-Hour Transit, Visa-Free List

Updated April 2026 · By Jing — bilingual, based in Guangdong, China

By Jing (based in China) + Kai | Last verified: March 2026

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All official, up-to-date China visa and entry rules as of March 2026, including all policy expansions implemented between 2024 and 2026.

1. Which countries are visa-free for China in 2026?

90-day visa-free (permanent, effective Jan 1, 2025)

Singapore, Brunei, Japan, South Korea, UAE, Qatar

30-day visa-free (valid Jul 1, 2025 to Dec 31, 2029)

United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, South Africa, Egypt, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, New Zealand

15-day visa-free (permanent, effective Nov 1, 2024)

All 27 EU member states, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Israel, Australia

Important: Visa-free eligibility applies only to tourism and personal visits. Business, work, study, or journalism purposes require a relevant visa regardless of nationality.

2. What is the 144-hour transit visa exemption?

Allows eligible travelers to enter and stay in China without a visa for up to 6 days when transiting to a third country. As of the March 1, 2026 expansion, 29 ports of entry qualify.

Eligibility rules:

- Your nationality is eligible (all visa-free nationalities plus most others)

- You have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country (not the same country you departed from; Hong Kong and Macau count as separate territories)

- You stay within the administrative boundaries of the province/municipality of your entry port

- Transit duration does not exceed 144 hours

3. What documents do I need at immigration?

- Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity and 2 blank visa pages

- Valid Chinese visa (if not visa-free or transit exempt)

- Confirmed return or onward ticket out of China

- Proof of accommodation (hotel bookings or host invitation letter)

- Proof of sufficient funds: minimum ¥1,000 RMB (≈$140 USD) per day of stay

4. Can I extend my stay once inside China?

- Where: Local Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the PSB

- When: At least 7 working days before your stay expires

- Documents: Passport, current visa/entry stamp, proof of accommodation, proof of funds, application form

- Cost: ¥160 RMB

- Processing: 7 working days average

- Maximum extension: 90 days total from original date of entry

5. What about Hong Kong / Macau transit?

- Hong Kong: 170+ nationalities get visa-free entry for 7–180 days (most Western nationalities get 90 days)

- Macau: 140+ nationalities get visa-free entry for 30–90 days

- Crossing to mainland from HK/Macau: You need a separate mainland visa or qualify for mainland visa-free entry

- Stays in HK/Macau do NOT count towards your mainland stay duration

6. Business visa vs tourist visa

- L (Tourist) Visa: Tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends/family, personal events

- M (Business) Visa: Conferences, factory visits, business meetings, signing contracts, market research

Important: Even if combining tourism with business, you must apply for an M visa if conducting any commercial work. Using a tourist visa for business can result in fines, deportation, or future entry bans.

7. What are the new 2024–2026 visa policy changes?

- November 1, 2024: 15-day visa-free policy for 54 countries made permanent

- January 1, 2025: 90-day visa-free for 6 countries (Singapore, Brunei, Japan, South Korea, UAE, Qatar)

- July 1, 2025: New 30-day visa-free for 23 additional countries (valid until Dec 31, 2029)

- March 1, 2026: 144-hour transit exemption expanded to 29 ports with 4 new airports

8. Registration requirement

All foreigners must register with local police within 24 hours (urban) or 72 hours (rural) of arrival.

- Hotels: Automatically register you at check-in using your passport

- Private residence (Airbnb, friend's home): You and your host must visit the local police station together with your passport, host's ID, and proof of residence

Penalties: ¥500 fine (first offense), up to ¥2,000 or deportation + 1–3 year entry ban (repeat offenses).

9. Common immigration problems

Top reasons for entry denial:

- No confirmed return/onward ticket

- No proof of accommodation

- Insufficient funds

- Previous overstay or immigration violation

- Carrying prohibited items

- Inconsistent answers to officer questions

Tip: Have printed copies of all documents — your phone may not be accessible without internet. All major airports have English-speaking immigration staff.

10. E-visa and online application

- Eligible: 36 countries including US, Canada, UK, Australia, EU, Japan, South Korea, Singapore

- Process: Online form, digital passport photo, online payment

- Processing: 3–5 working days (standard), 1–2 days (expedited)

- Cost: $30–$150 USD depending on nationality and speed

- Terms: Valid 90 days, single entry, 30-day maximum stay

- Photo: 48x33mm, white background, no hat, no tinted glasses, neutral expression

This guide is maintained by Jing (living in China) and Kai (AI partner). If something changed since we wrote this, let us know: [email protected]

Free to share. No strings attached. We just want you to have a good trip.

Need hands-on help? Jing is based in Guangdong — right next to Shenzhen and China's factory belt. [email protected]