Policy position as of September 2026, checked against China’s National Immigration Administration.
China’s unilateral visa-free stay is 30 days, not 15 — the 15-day figure is out of date. As of September 2026 the policy covers 50 countries and is announced as valid to 31 December 2026. Canadian passport holders were added on 17 February 2026 and Australians have qualified since 30 November 2024. US passport holders are not on the list and still need a visa, though they can often use the separate 240-hour transit exemption instead.
| Your passport | 30-day visa-free? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Yes — added 17 Feb 2026 | Fly in with no visa for tourism, business, visiting family or transit, up to 30 days. Carry proof matching your stated purpose. |
| Australia | Yes — since 30 Nov 2024 | Same as above. Announced as valid to 31 December 2026. |
| United Kingdom | Yes — since 17 Feb 2026 | Same as above. |
| United States | No | Apply for a visa before you fly, or enter under the 240-hour visa-free transit if you hold an onward ticket to a third country. |
Permitted purposes are tourism, business, visiting relatives and friends, and transit. Work, study and news reporting are excluded and still need the matching visa and prior approval. Border officers may ask for supporting documents consistent with the purpose you declare — an invitation letter, return ticket or hotel booking. We recommend at least six months of passport validity remaining.
We deliberately do not reproduce the full 50-country list here, because it changes without notice and a stale copy is worse than none. Confirm your own nationality against the China National Immigration Administration or the nearest Chinese embassy before booking, and see China visa-free countries for the wider picture on bilateral and transit exemptions.
China Tours Starting from Shanghai 
Thirty days, not fifteen. The 15-day figure is out of date. The stay runs continuously from the day of entry to 24:00 on the 30th calendar day. As of September 2026 the unilateral visa-free policy covers 50 countries and is announced as valid to 31 December 2026.
No. As of September 2026 the United States is not on China’s 30-day unilateral visa-free list, so US passport holders still need a visa. US citizens are, however, covered by the separate 240-hour transit exemption if they hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region and enter through one of the designated ports.
Yes. Canada was added to the 30-day unilateral visa-free list on 17 February 2026. Canadian ordinary passport holders can enter for tourism, business, visiting relatives and friends, or transit, for up to 30 days. Australians have qualified since 30 November 2024 and the UK since 17 February 2026.
A valid ordinary passport, ideally with at least six months of validity remaining, plus anything that supports the purpose of entry you declare: an invitation letter, return or onward air tickets, or hotel bookings. Officers decide admissibility at the border. Work, study and news reporting are outside the visa-free scope and need the matching visa and prior approval.
If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, apply for the appropriate visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate before you travel. If you are already in China visa-free and have a legitimate reason to stay on, apply to the local exit-entry administration for a stay permit. There is currently no cap on the number of visa-free entries or total days, provided your activities match your declared purpose each time.
Citizens of below countries holding a valid ordinary passport are exempt from visa requirements for entry, exit, or transit in the territory of the other contracting party, with a single stay not exceeding 30 days (or 60 days, 90 days varying by countries) and a cumulative stay not exceeding 90 days within 180 days.
These are reciprocal treaties rather than a policy China can withdraw on its own, which makes them more stable. Singapore is the example most relevant to travellers routing through Asia: the mutual 30-day exemption between Singapore and China took effect on 9 February 2024 and covers tourism, business, visiting relatives and private affairs (Singapore ICA). The full list of mutual-exemption partners changes over time, so check your own nationality with the nearest Chinese embassy rather than relying on any copy of the list, including this one.
As of September 2026 the 240-hour (10-day) transit exemption covers 57 countries — including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia — through 65 designated ports across 24 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. You need a valid international travel document plus a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region, and your movement is limited to the permitted areas. Work, study and news reporting still require prior approval and the matching visa. Source: China National Immigration Administration.
With the new policy, you are allowed to travel across provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities within the permitted stay areass. For example, you could fly into Beijing and then visit cities like Xi'an, Shanghai, or Chengdu, as long as your total stay does not exceed the 240-hour limit.
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