What the official list says
The National Immigration Administration (NIA) publishes a list of countries covered by the unilateral visa exemption. Its version dated 17 Feb 2026 names France among 50 countries, grouped under Europe. It applies to ordinary passports and to stays of up to 30 days.
The NIA pages do not state an end date. Press reports put the end of the 30-day policy at 31 December 2026. Both pages were read on 5 Nov 2026, and the rule that applies to you is the one in force on the day you enter.
What the 30 days allow
A French traveller can enter for tourism, business, visits to family or friends, exchange visits or transit for up to 30 days. France is also on the 240-hour transit list, which suits a route such as Paris to Shanghai to Seoul.
The NIA note says the stay is counted from 00:00 on the day after you enter. Covered purposes are business, tourism, visits to relatives and friends, exchange visits and transit. Work, study and news reporting are not on that list.
The 240-hour transit option
The NIA transit page, dated 20 Aug 2026, lists France among 57 countries. The conditions it gives: an ordinary passport, an onward ticket with a confirmed seat and a set date, a third country or region as the next stop, entry through one of 65 listed ports in 24 provinces, regions and municipalities, and a stay of up to 10 days inside the permitted areas.
If you hold a passport on the 30-day list, that route is usually simpler, because it does not depend on an onward ticket. Use transit only when your plan really continues to a third place.
Before you book
- Your passport is an ordinary passport, not a diplomatic or official one.
- Your plan fits the 30 days and one of the covered purposes.
- Your arrival port is one of the listed ones if you rely on transit.
- You have read the NIA page again within a week of departure.
Stays longer than 30 days, and work or study, need a visa. Press reports put the end of the exemption at 31 December 2026, so check again before you book late 2026 or 2027 travel.
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Questions before you go
Do French citizens need a visa for China?
Not for a stay of up to 30 days with an ordinary passport, if the NIA list still covers the country when you enter.
How is the 30-day stay counted?
The NIA note says the stay is counted from 00:00 on the day after the date of entry.
Where is the official rule?
On the National Immigration Administration site: the unilateral list is dated 17 Feb 2026 and the transit page 20 Aug 2026.
Sources & review notes
- NIA: countries covered by unilateral visa exemption, 17 Feb 2026 ↗ · Reviewed
- National Immigration Administration ↗ · Reviewed
- China Highlights: visa exemption update ↗ · Reviewed
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