Start with the official rule
Use the National Immigration Administration ↗ to check eligibility, permitted entry points and allowed activities. Reviewed 5 November 2026. This guide cannot grant permission to enter.
What was reported, and why it is not the rule
According to Xinhua, republished by the Beijing government on , the 240-hour visa-free transit now applies to 57 countries. China Briefing reports that the 30-day visa-free entry has been extended to . These are press reports read on 5 November 2026. The National Immigration Administration page is the rule: check it for your passport on the date you travel.
A route-specific entry check
| Your situation | What to look for | Before you commit |
|---|---|---|
| A visit to mainland China | Find the current policy for your nationality and passport type. | Check purpose, validity dates and maximum stay. |
| A stop before a third destination | Read the separate transit conditions. | Verify the complete onward route and designated areas. |
| A journey through Hong Kong | Check permission for each part of the trip. | Do not assume one entry arrangement covers both. |
| A plan that does not clearly fit | Ask the relevant immigration authority or diplomatic mission. | Resolve uncertainty before committing to non-refundable travel. |
How to read a policy update
Look for the publication date and the date the rule takes effect. Confirm the exact passport type, purpose of visit and any route restrictions. A headline about more eligible countries is not a personalized eligibility result.
Save the official page and record when you checked it. Revisit it close to departure, especially if you change flights or add a stop. This guide provides a preparation framework rather than an entry approval.
Entry and transit are different arrangements
A visa exemption for a visit and a transit exemption are not interchangeable. A route that qualifies for one arrangement might not qualify for the other. Start with your actual passport and full travel route, including the destination after mainland China.
Do not infer eligibility from another traveler’s nationality or from a headline about a new exemption. Check the policy’s effective dates and permitted purpose of stay.
Keep a simple document pack
- Your passport and the permission required for your trip.
- Onward travel details where the policy requires them.
- Accommodation confirmations and the first address in Chinese.
- A saved copy of the official rule you used and the date you checked it.
Ask before an uncertain booking
If the published conditions do not clearly cover your route, ask the relevant Chinese diplomatic mission or immigration authority. An airline check can be useful for boarding arrangements, but it does not replace the immigration authority’s decision.
Questions before you go
Does this guide confirm that I can enter without a visa?
No. Check the current official policy against your passport, purpose, dates and full route. Ask the relevant authority if the conditions do not clearly cover your trip.
Is visa-free transit the same as visa-free entry for a visit?
No. Transit and visit arrangements have different conditions. Read the rules for the actual itinerary you plan to use.
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Visa-free entry by passport
Transit and arrival
Sources & review notes
- Xinhua via the Beijing government, 20 Aug 2026 ↗ · Reviewed
- China Briefing ↗ · Reviewed
- National Immigration Administration ↗ · Reviewed
Product prices use their own dates. Provider statements are not independent connection tests. Recheck time-sensitive details before booking.