ChinaEntry and visas

China entry rules

Citizens of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the EU, the UK, Canada, Serbia and Australia do not need to arrange a visa for China in advance: the stay is 30 to 90 days depending on the passport. Citizens of Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Moldova, Israel, the US and Türkiye need a visa from a consulate before the trip.

Checked against official sources on 9 October 2026.

Entry rules by passport

For a tourist trip. Checked on 9 October 2026 against the official sources listed below the table.

Passport	Entry	Stay	Conditions
Russia	Visa-free	30 days	Visa waiver for ordinary passports extended to 31 Dec 2027; for tourism, business, visits and transit.Source: China MFA
Belarus	Visa-free	30 days	Under the mutual visa exemption agreement; no more than 90 days per year.Source: China NIA
Ukraine	Visa required	—	The Chinese Embassy in Kyiv is temporarily not processing visas — apply at a Chinese consulate in another country; visa-free options are 240-hour transit and Hainan for up to 30 days.Source: Chinese Embassy
Kazakhstan	Visa-free	30 days	Under the mutual visa exemption agreement; no more than 90 days in any 180.Source: China NIA
Uzbekistan	Visa-free	30 days	Under the mutual visa exemption agreement in force since 1 Jun 2025; no more than 90 days in any 180.Source: Chinese Embassy
Kyrgyzstan	Visa required	—	Visa from a Chinese embassy; since 20 Aug 2026 visa-free options are 240-hour transit and Hainan for up to 30 days.Source: Chinese Embassy
Tajikistan	Visa required	—	Visa from a Chinese embassy; single entry costs $40.Source: Chinese Embassy
Turkmenistan	Visa required	—	Visa from a Chinese embassy; single entry costs $41 at the reduced rate until 31 Dec 2026.Source: Chinese Embassy
Armenia	Visa-free	90 days in any 180 days	Under the mutual visa exemption agreement for ordinary passports.Source: China NIA
Azerbaijan	Visa-free	30 days	Under the mutual visa exemption agreement in force since 16 Jul 2025; no more than 90 days in any 180.Source: Chinese Embassy
Georgia	Visa-free	30 days	Under the mutual visa exemption agreement; no more than 90 days in any 180.Source: China NIA
Moldova	Visa required	—	Visa from a Chinese embassy; single entry costs 638 lei (≈ $37) at the reduced rate until 31 Dec 2026.Source: Chinese Embassy
Israel	Visa required	—	Fill in the form online at consular.mfa.gov.cn, then submit the passport at the Chinese Embassy.Source: Chinese Embassy
EU countries	Visa-free	30 days	25 EU countries — until 31 Dec 2026; Czechia and Lithuania need a visa (visa-free options: 240-hour transit and Hainan for up to 30 days).Source: Chinese Embassy
United Kingdom	Visa-free	30 days	Visa waiver in effect since 17 Feb 2026, currently until 31 Dec 2026.Source: China MFA
United States	Visa required	—	Visa-free only for 240-hour transit with an onward ticket to a third country and for Hainan up to 30 days.Source: Chinese Embassy
Canada	Visa-free	30 days	Visa waiver in effect since 17 Feb 2026, currently until 31 Dec 2026.Source: China MFA
Turkey	Visa required	—	Fill in the form online at consular.mfa.gov.cn, then submit the passport at the Chinese Embassy in Ankara.Source: Chinese Embassy
Serbia	Visa-free	30 days	Under the mutual visa exemption agreement for ordinary passports.Source: China NIA
Australia	Visa-free	30 days	Unilateral visa waiver, currently until 31 Dec 2026.Source: Chinese Embassy

RussiaVisa-free
30 days. Visa waiver for ordinary passports extended to 31 Dec 2027; for tourism, business, visits and transit.
Source: China MFA
BelarusVisa-free
30 days. Under the mutual visa exemption agreement; no more than 90 days per year.
Source: China NIA
UkraineVisa required
The Chinese Embassy in Kyiv is temporarily not processing visas — apply at a Chinese consulate in another country; visa-free options are 240-hour transit and Hainan for up to 30 days.
Source: Chinese Embassy
KazakhstanVisa-free
30 days. Under the mutual visa exemption agreement; no more than 90 days in any 180.
Source: China NIA
UzbekistanVisa-free
30 days. Under the mutual visa exemption agreement in force since 1 Jun 2025; no more than 90 days in any 180.
Source: Chinese Embassy
KyrgyzstanVisa required
Visa from a Chinese embassy; since 20 Aug 2026 visa-free options are 240-hour transit and Hainan for up to 30 days.
Source: Chinese Embassy
TajikistanVisa required
Visa from a Chinese embassy; single entry costs $40.
Source: Chinese Embassy
TurkmenistanVisa required
Visa from a Chinese embassy; single entry costs $41 at the reduced rate until 31 Dec 2026.
Source: Chinese Embassy
ArmeniaVisa-free
90 days in any 180 days. Under the mutual visa exemption agreement for ordinary passports.
Source: China NIA
AzerbaijanVisa-free
30 days. Under the mutual visa exemption agreement in force since 16 Jul 2025; no more than 90 days in any 180.
Source: Chinese Embassy
GeorgiaVisa-free
30 days. Under the mutual visa exemption agreement; no more than 90 days in any 180.
Source: China NIA
MoldovaVisa required
Visa from a Chinese embassy; single entry costs 638 lei (≈ $37) at the reduced rate until 31 Dec 2026.
Source: Chinese Embassy
IsraelVisa required
Fill in the form online at consular.mfa.gov.cn, then submit the passport at the Chinese Embassy.
Source: Chinese Embassy
EU countriesVisa-free
30 days. 25 EU countries — until 31 Dec 2026; Czechia and Lithuania need a visa (visa-free options: 240-hour transit and Hainan for up to 30 days).
Source: Chinese Embassy
United KingdomVisa-free
30 days. Visa waiver in effect since 17 Feb 2026, currently until 31 Dec 2026.
Source: China MFA
United StatesVisa required
Visa-free only for 240-hour transit with an onward ticket to a third country and for Hainan up to 30 days.
Source: Chinese Embassy
CanadaVisa-free
30 days. Visa waiver in effect since 17 Feb 2026, currently until 31 Dec 2026.
Source: China MFA
TurkeyVisa required
Fill in the form online at consular.mfa.gov.cn, then submit the passport at the Chinese Embassy in Ankara.
Source: Chinese Embassy
SerbiaVisa-free
30 days. Under the mutual visa exemption agreement for ordinary passports.
Source: China NIA
AustraliaVisa-free
30 days. Unilateral visa waiver, currently until 31 Dec 2026.
Source: Chinese Embassy

What is checked at the border

You need an ordinary passport valid for the whole stay; temporary or emergency travel documents do not qualify for visa-free entry.
Border officers check the purpose of the trip: visa-free covers tourism, business, visits and transit, not work or study. Carry tickets, accommodation bookings or an invitation.
An arrival card is required: fill it in free of charge online on the immigration website in advance or at a kiosk at the border.
If you stay anywhere other than a hotel, register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival; hotels register guests themselves.
240-hour visa-free transit requires an onward ticket to a third country with a confirmed seat and date.

How to extend your stay

The 30 visa-free days can only be extended for good reason, with a stay permit from the police exit-entry office. For trips longer than 30 days, get a visa in advance.

Overstay penalties

Overstaying is illegal residence: a warning, or in serious cases a fine of 500 yuan (≈ $70) per day capped at 10,000 yuan (≈ $1,400), or 5–15 days’ detention. Deportation brings a 10-year entry ban.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for China?

Citizens of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the EU, the UK, Canada, Serbia and Australia enter without a visa. Citizens of Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Moldova, Israel, the US and Türkiye get a visa from a consulate before the trip.

How long can I stay in China without a visa?

30 days for citizens of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the EU, the UK, Canada, Serbia and Australia. 90 days in any 180 days for citizens of Armenia.

Can the stay be extended?

The 30 visa-free days can only be extended for good reason, with a stay permit from the police exit-entry office. For trips longer than 30 days, get a visa in advance.

What happens if I overstay?

What is checked on entry to China?

You need an ordinary passport valid for the whole stay; temporary or emergency travel documents do not qualify for visa-free entry. Border officers check the purpose of the trip: visa-free covers tourism, business, visits and transit, not work or study. Carry tickets, accommodation bookings or an invitation. An arrival card is required: fill it in free of charge online on the immigration website in advance or at a kiosk at the border. If you stay anywhere other than a hotel, register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival; hotels register guests themselves. 240-hour visa-free transit requires an onward ticket to a third country with a confirmed seat and date.

How can I stay in China longer?

A visa-free stay does not give the right to live in the country. A longer stay needs a long-term visa or a residence permit: work — Z visa, high-level talent and urgently needed specialists — R visa, young science and technology talent — K visa (since 1 Oct 2025), long-term study — X1 visa, family — Q1 visa (joining Chinese citizens or permanent residents) and S1 visa (joining foreigners working or studying in China), business trips — M visa.

Sources

Checked on 9 October 2026. Entry rules change: check them on the consulate website before you travel.