30-day unilateral visa-free entry
Not listedNot on the current NIA 30-day unilateral visa-free list. Check whether another separate agreement applies, otherwise use a visa route.
Visa & Entry
Choisissez le bon mode d'entrée en Chine avant de réserver.
Comparez exemption de visa, transit 240 heures, visa touristique, longs séjours et préparation d'arrivée.
Country Checker
Select a passport country to see the entry path.
Results are based on the NIA country lists for ordinary passport holders. Border officers and official policy updates always prevail.
Result for
United States of America
240-hour visa-free transit
AppliesListed for 240-hour transit, but your route must be Country/Region A -> mainland China -> Country/Region B through approved ports.
30+ days in China
Use visa routeFor stays beyond the visa-free or transit window, use the appropriate visa or residence route before travel.
Applicable Countries
Country lists by continent.
The first list covers NIA's 30-day unilateral visa-free policy. The second list covers the 240-hour transit visa-free policy.
30-day unilateral visa-free countries
50 countriesEurope
35Andorra
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 of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Americas
6Argentina
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Peru
Uruguay
Oceania
2Australia
New Zealand
Asia
7Bahrain
Brunei Darussalam
Japan
Kuwait
Oman
Republic of Korea
Saudi Arabia
240-hour transit visa-free countries
55 countriesEurope
40Albania
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands
North Macedonia
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russian Federation
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Americas
6Argentina
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Mexico
United States of America
Oceania
2Australia
New Zealand
Asia
7Brunei Darussalam
Indonesia
Japan
Qatar
Republic of Korea
Singapore
United Arab Emirates
Checked against NIA lists published in 2025-2026. Recheck before ticketing.
Longer Stays
Need more than 30 days? Use the right visa or residence route.
Visa-free and transit policies are not a substitute for long-stay permission. Pick the visa category by purpose first, then check the Chinese embassy, consulate, or Visa Application Service Center responsible for your place of residence.
L
Tourist visa
For tourism when visa-free entry does not fit, or when your planned stay needs the duration printed on a visa. Prepare itinerary, hotel bookings, tickets, or an invitation if required.
M / F
Business, trade, visits, exchanges
For commercial activities, meetings, exhibitions, exchanges, visits, or study tours. A Chinese inviter or host organization is usually the key document source.
Z
Work visa
For employment in China. The employer normally prepares the work permit notice. After arrival, the work and residence permit process must be completed locally.
X1 / X2
Study visa
X1 is for study over 180 days and normally requires residence permit handling after entry. X2 is for short-term study of no more than 180 days.
Q / S
Family and private affairs
Q visas are for relatives of Chinese citizens or permanent residents. S visas are commonly for relatives of foreigners working or studying in China, or other private affairs.
J / R / D
Specialized routes
Journalist, high-level talent, and permanent residence routes have stricter supporting documents and should be checked directly with the responsible authority.
Practical application sequence
- 01
Decide the purpose first: tourism, business, work, study, family, private affairs, journalism, or residence.
- 02
Check the responsible Chinese embassy, consulate, or Visa Application Service Center for local requirements and appointment rules.
- 03
Prepare passport, photo, application form, itinerary or invitation, and category-specific approval documents.
- 04
Submit the application, complete biometrics if required, and confirm processing time before booking non-refundable travel.
- 05
After approval, check entries, validity, and duration of each stay printed on the visa before departure.
- 06
For Z, X1, Q1, S1, J1, and similar long-stay routes, handle the local residence permit after arrival as instructed.
Planning notes
- Visa centers commonly recommend applying within the 3 months before travel.
- A passport with less than 6 months validity may create refusal or entry-risk issues.
- Do not work, study, or report news on visa-free entry unless the policy or visa category clearly allows it.