China visa-free entry 2026 is scheduled to end for most eligible countries at 24:00 Beijing time on 31 December 2026, and no extension for 2027 had been announced as of 20 October, according to a third-party guide from VisaPilot. Russia’s separate arrangement runs to 31 December 2027, while Brunei has no end date. Travellers planning trips that straddle New Year should check the position before booking.
At a glance
- What the guide reports
- Which countries are affected
- Stay limits and what is excluded
- What is still unknown
- How to plan a trip
- China visa-free questions
What the guide reports
VisaPilot, a travel-visa information site rather than a government body, says the 30-day visa-free arrangement for ordinary passport holders ends at the close of 31 December 2026 for most countries on the list. It says it found no extension notice in the sources it checked on 20 October. That is the main fact for travellers: today the end date is published, and a renewal has not been. We have not independently confirmed the guide’s reading, so use the official channels below for decisions.
Which countries are affected
The guide counts 50 countries on the 30-day list, with 45 named in the latest extension notice, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and Saudi Arabia. It says Sweden, the United Kingdom and Canada also end on 31 December 2026, and that the UK and Canada were added from 17 February 2026. Its list is partial, so check the full list for your passport.
Consider a hypothetical case. Rafael is a Brazilian founder who wants to visit a supplier in Shenzhen in early December and again in January. Under the dates above, a December visit would fall inside the visa-free window if his nationality qualifies, while a January visit would not unless the policy is extended or he obtains a visa. He would need to plan the second trip on the assumption that a visa may be required.
Stay limits and what is excluded
According to the guide, visa-free stays are up to 30 days for business, tourism, family or friends, exchange or transit. Work, study and news reporting always require a visa. The separate 240-hour transit policy has no stated end date, but requires onward travel to a third country or region, a confirmed ticket and entry through a designated port. Rules on false statements at the border are covered in our report on China’s entry-ban rules.
What is still unknown
Whether the policy will be extended, for which countries and on what terms, is not stated. The guide also does not say how a stay that begins in late December and ends in January would be treated, and suggests asking the embassy or the 12367 immigration hotline. The National Immigration Administration’s English site, en.nia.gov.cn, lists a notice on adding Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam to the 240-hour transit list, but our review of its front page found no notice about extending visa-free entry beyond 2026.
How to plan a trip
If you travel before 31 December, check that your nationality is still on the list and that your stay fits within 30 days. If your trip runs into 2027, treat visa-free entry as unconfirmed and look at the visa route in parallel. Keep refundable bookings where you can. Official statements on policy changes appear through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at fmprc.gov.cn and the embassy or visa centre in your country. If you are comparing several destinations, the visa eligibility checker can help you see which entry route fits.
China visa-free questions
When does China’s visa-free entry end?
VisaPilot reports it ends at 24:00 Beijing time on 31 December 2026 for most listed countries, with Russia running to 31 December 2027.
Has it been extended into 2027?
As of 20 October 2026, VisaPilot found no extension announced in the sources it checked. Official confirmation should come from Chinese authorities.
How long can I stay?
Up to 30 days for ordinary passport holders visiting for business, tourism, family or friends, exchange or transit, according to the guide.
Can I work or study visa-free?
No. The guide says work, study and news reporting always require a visa.
Does the 240-hour transit policy also end?
VisaPilot says it has no stated end date. It requires onward travel to a third country or region, a confirmed ticket and a designated port.
Where should I confirm my own position?
Check the National Immigration Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or the Chinese embassy or visa centre in your country, or call the 12367 hotline.
Sources
- VisaPilot — China visa-free entry after 31 December 2026: what changes for 2027 trips. https://visapreflight.com/guides/china-visa-free-after-2026/
- National Immigration Administration of China — English site. https://en.nia.gov.cn/
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China — English site. https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/