Last checked: April 27, 2026
Important note: Visa policies can change quickly. This list is based on the latest official information we can verify from China’s National Immigration Administration and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Consular Service, including the unilateral visa-free list updated February 17, 2026 and the mutual visa-exemption agreement list updated February 25, 2026. Travelers should always confirm with the nearest Chinese embassy, consulate, or official visa center before booking travel.
At present, ordinary passport holders from 79 countries can enter mainland China visa-free for 30 days or more, depending on the specific policy or agreement. China’s unilateral visa-free policy allows eligible travelers to enter for business, tourism, family/friend visits, exchanges, or transit, for stays of up to 30 days.
Travelers coming for work, higher education study, journalism/news reporting, or other activities requiring prior approval still need the appropriate visa, even if their country is on the visa-free list. Chinese authorities also recommend carrying supporting documents such as invitation letters, flight tickets, and hotel bookings.
Note: Students can still attend kung fu schools under the 30 day visa-free entry.
Countries with 30+ Day Visa-Free Entry to China
A. 30-day unilateral visa-free countries
These countries are covered by China’s unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders. Brunei has no stated expiration date; Russia is currently valid until September 14, 2026; the other 48 unilateral countries are currently valid until December 31, 2026.
Europe: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
Asia: Bahrain, Brunei, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, Republic of Korea / South Korea, Saudi Arabia
Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Uruguay
B. Countries with mutual ordinary-passport visa exemption agreements
These countries are not simply “transit-only”; ordinary passport holders have visa-free access to China under bilateral or mutual visa-exemption arrangements. Most are 30 days, while a few agreements allow longer stays, such as 60 or 90 days depending on the country/agreement. China’s consular service notes that mutual visa-free entry generally does not mean indefinite stay; holders are usually allowed to stay no more than 30 days unless the specific agreement provides otherwise:
Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominica, Ecuador, Fiji, Georgia, Grenada, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Qatar, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Thailand, Tonga, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan
Special notes:
Malaysia’s mutual visa exemption took effect in July 2025 and allows eligible ordinary passport holders to stay up to 30 days per entry, with a cumulative limit of 90 days within 180 days.
Thailand’s mutual visa exemption allows up to 30 days per entry, with a cumulative limit of 90 days within 180 days.
Ecuador appears in China’s mutual visa-exemption agreement list for ordinary passports, but China’s consular table notes that Chinese ordinary passport holders currently need a visa to go to Ecuador; travelers using Ecuadorian passports should verify directly with Chinese authorities before travel.
Countries That Do Not Currently Have 30+ Day Ordinary-Passport Visa-Free Entry to Mainland China
The following countries are not on the verified 30+ day ordinary-passport visa-free list above. Citizens of these countries generally need a Chinese visa for normal visits, unless they qualify for another limited policy, such as 24-hour direct transit, 240-hour / 10-day visa-free transit, Hainan regional visa-free entry, Xishuangbanna group tourism entry, or another special arrangement.
Transit-only 10-day / 240-hour countries
China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy allows eligible nationals to stay in permitted areas for up to 10 days when transiting through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket. This is not the same as full 30-day visa-free entry and has route, port, and destination requirements.
Among countries that do not currently have 30+ day ordinary-passport visa-free entry, the key 240-hour transit-only countries are:
Czechia, Indonesia, Lithuania, Mexico, Ukraine, United States
All foreign nationals may also use China’s 24-hour visa-free direct transit if they meet the conditions and do not stay longer than 24 hours; travelers who need to leave the port’s restricted area must obtain a temporary entry permit.
Visa generally required for normal entry
Africa
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Asia / Middle East
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea / North Korea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic / Laos, Lebanon, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syrian Arab Republic / Syria, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Viet Nam, Yemen, State of Palestine
Europe
Czechia, Lithuania, Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Holy See / Vatican City, Kosovo
Americas
Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Venezuela
Oceania / Pacific
Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Other Important Caveats
China also has several regional or special visa-free policies that are not the same as full 30-day nationwide visa-free entry. For example, some foreign nationals may qualify for 30-day visa-free entry to Hainan Province only, and tourist groups from ASEAN countries may qualify for short visa-free visits to Xishuangbanna, Yunnan under specific group-tour conditions. These policies are useful for some travelers but should not be confused with the broader 30-day ordinary-passport visa-free entry policy.
For students planning to train at Maling Shaolin Kung Fu Academy, the most important distinction is this: a 30-day visa-free entry may be suitable for short visits, but anyone planning to stay longer than 30 days, study long-term, work, or participate in activities outside the permitted visa-free categories should arrange the correct visa before traveling.
For students needing a visa for entry into China or wanting to stay longer than 30 days, we suggest applying for the X-2 visa. You can see more visa suggestions on our Before You Come page.
