China entry requirements for tourists (2026)

It depends on your passport, document type, purpose, length of stay and any applicable exemption. China currently has separate unilateral, mutual and transit routes. If this page cannot fully match one route, verify with the linked Chinese authority or responsible visa office before travel.

The current MFA FAQ lists 50 countries for its unilateral policy, limited to valid ordinary passports and listed short-stay purposes. Brunei has no stated expiry in that FAQ, Russia is listed through December 31, 2027, and the other 48 through December 31, 2026. Separate mutual agreements also exist.

The United States is not in the current 50-country unilateral list. A US passport holder may be able to use 240-hour visa-free transit when every nationality, route, ticket, time, port and permitted-area condition is met. Otherwise, check other exemptions or the appropriate visa route officially.

The current MFA FAQ includes ordinary passport holders from the United Kingdom and Canada for stays of no more than 30 days for listed purposes, with the published policy period ending December 31, 2026. Entry remains subject to border examination.

The 30-day unilateral route is based mainly on passport, purpose and stay. The 240-hour route is transit-specific and also depends on a third country or region, confirmed onward travel, document validity, designated ports, permitted areas and temporary-entry inspection.

Yes. The current NIA rule requires onward travel to a third country or region. Compare the ticketed region immediately before entering the Chinese mainland with the one immediately after leaving it; complex segments should be checked with NIA and the operating carrier.

Chinese exit-entry law treats entry into and exit from the Chinese mainland separately from Hong Kong and Macao. The SARs have their own admission rules, and this fact alone does not pre-approve a 240-hour itinerary. Confirm every ticket segment, port and permitted area.

The current NIA announcement says the visa-free stay period is calculated from 00:00 on the day after entry. Confirmed onward arrangements, the port and area rules, and on-site temporary-entry review still apply.

There is no single answer for every route. The unilateral FAQ says an ordinary passport must cover the intended stay; the 240-hour rule specifies at least three months; official visa-application checklists commonly ask for at least six months and blank visa pages. Airlines and onward countries can also impose document checks.

Most non-exempt foreign visitors complete arrival information, but advance online completion is not the only official route. NIA says travelers unable to complete it beforehand may use on-arrival digital options or a paper Arrival Card. Seven exemption groups are listed in the official notice.

Yes. NIA states that its online arrival-card service is free and warns about fraudulent websites that charge travelers. Use the official s.nia.gov.cn form or the official NIA 12367 channels.

Hotels register foreign guests. For lodging other than a hotel, the traveler or host must complete accommodation registration with public security within 24 hours after check-in. NIA lists current website, app and mini-program channels.

No. The current short-stay unilateral and transit descriptions exclude activities such as work, study and news reporting that require prior approval. Check the appropriate official visa category before travel.

No. It is a source-linked preparation screen, not legal advice, a visa, temporary-entry permit, carrier approval or a decision by Chinese border authorities.