China added 5 more countries to visa-free entry. I checked if mine was on the list. It was.
My friend from Belgium was planning a 3-week China trip. She started filling out the visa application.Then she saw the news: Belgium was added to China's unilateral visa-free program.
She deleted the application. Booked her flight. Showed her passport at immigration. Got a 30-day stamp.
No visa. No fee. No waiting.
The latest additions (2025-2026):
China has been aggressively expanding its visa-free policy. Recent additions include:
• More European countries
• Additional Asian nations
• Latin American countries
As of mid-2026, roughly 50+ countries are eligible for 30-day visa-free entry.
How to check if your country is eligible:
Method 1: Check the official NIA (National Immigration Administration) website
Method 2: Check your country's foreign ministry travel advisory for China
Method 3: Call the Chinese consulate in your country
Important reminders:
• The policy is valid through December 31, 2026 (may be extended)
• You get 30 days from the day of entry
• You can enter through any port (air, land, sea)
• You need an onward ticket (some airlines check at boarding)
• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months
The difference between visa-free and 240h transit:
30-day visa-free:
• Fly directly from your home country to China
• Stay up to 30 days
• No onward ticket to a third country required (but some airlines ask)
• Enter and exit through any port
240-hour transit:
• Must be transiting to a third country (not back to your origin)
• Stay up to 10 days
• Must enter and exit through specific ports
My Belgian friend's reaction: "I spent 3 hours on the visa application before I realized I didn't need one. The visa-free policy saved me ¥1,200 and 3 weeks of stress. Check the list BEFORE you apply."
Is your country on the visa-free list? When did you find out?
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