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China visa requirements: who needs a visa in 2026

Pick your passport to see whether you can enter China visa free, need an ETA or e visa, or must apply for a visa before you travel. Checked on November 4, 2026 against the official sources below.

Sroky is a private company and is not part of any government. The destination decides on every entry. Rules change: the official source always applies.

Ways into China

Unilateral visa-free entry (30 days)

Visa free
Official fee
Free
Stay
up to 30 days per entry
Processing
at the port of entry
Interview
No
Official site: en.nia.gov.cn

Mutual visa exemption agreement

Visa free
Official fee
Free
Stay
usually 30 days per entry, max 90 days in 180; some agreements 90 days
Processing
at the port of entry
Interview
No
Official site: en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c181470/content.html

240-hour visa-free transit

Visa free
Official fee
Free
Stay
up to 10 days in permitted areas
Processing
apply at border inspection on arrival
Interview
No
Official site: en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c183412/content.html

Tourist visa (L), applied via COVA online form and Chinese embassy/consulate or visa centre

Visa needed
Stay
usually 30 days per entry (as printed on visa)
Processing
about 4 working days regular at most missions
Interview
No
Official site: cova.mfa.gov.cn

Check before you travel

  • Unilateral list end date 31 Dec 2026: no extension into 2027 found on MFA/NIA as of 2026-11-04 (extensions were announced in November in past years). Re-check after mid November 2026.
  • Malaysia mutual exemption effective date 17 Jul 2025 not confirmed on a Chinese government page (NIA table dated April 2025 predates it); Azerbaijan date from Azerbaijan MFA, Uzbekistan from Uzbek MFA.
  • Russia extension to 31 Dec 2027 confirmed via Shanghai municipal government site quoting MFA spokesperson, not the MFA notice itself.
  • Laos, Grenada and Tonga rows in the NIA mutual-exemption table are ambiguous.
  • L visa fee not a single figure: depends on nationality and mission; reduced fees until 31 Dec 2026.

China visa by passport

No visaNo visa needed4 passports
  • China flagChina
  • Hong Kong SAR China flagHong Kong SAR China
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Visa freeVisa free78 passports
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Visa neededVisa before you travel162 passports
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Questions

Who can visit China without a visa?

82 passports can enter China without a visa. Pick your passport above for your answer.

How long can I stay in China?

It depends on the passport and the way in. Unilateral visa-free entry (30 days): up to 30 days per entry. Mutual visa exemption agreement: usually 30 days per entry, max 90 days in 180; some agreements 90 days. 240-hour visa-free transit: up to 10 days in permitted areas.

How do I apply for a China visa?

If your passport needs a visa, apply for the Tourist visa (L), applied via COVA online form and Chinese embassy/consulate or visa centre on https://cova.mfa.gov.cn.

Visas

Official sources

Checked on November 4, 2026

Sroky is a private company and is not part of any government. The destination decides on every entry. Rules change: the official source always applies.