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My friend from South Africa checks the Chinese visa policy page monthly. He's been waiting for his country to be added to the visa-free list.
It hasn't happened yet. But the list keeps growing.
The latest expansion (mid-2026):
China has been adding countries to its unilateral 30-day visa-free program at a rapid pace. Recent additions bring the total to roughly 50+ countries, covering most of Europe, much of Asia, and select nations from other regions.
Coverage by region:
Europe (covered):
France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Greece, Portugal, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro
Asia (covered):
Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, UAE, Qatar, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan
Oceania (covered):
Australia, New Zealand
Americas (covered):
Canada, Barbados, Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica
Africa (limited):
Mauritius, Seychelles
What this means:
If you hold a passport from one of these countries, you can:
• Fly directly to China from anywhere
• Stay up to 30 days
• Enter through any port (air, land, sea)
• No visa application, no fee, no waiting
Important details:
• Duration: 30 days from the day of entry
• Extension: The policy is valid through at least December 31, 2026 (likely extended)
• Onward ticket: Some airlines ask for proof of onward travel at check-in. Have a booking ready.
• Passport validity: Must be valid for at least 6 months
• Previous visa: Having a previous Chinese visa in your passport helps if questioned, but is not required
Countries NOT yet on the list (major ones):
• United States (still requires visa)
• India (still requires visa)
• Pakistan (still requires visa)
• Most African nations (still require visa)
• Most Latin American nations (still require visa)
For countries not on the list:
• The 240-hour transit visa is still available (must transit to a third country)
• Standard tourist visa (L visa) takes 3-6 weeks depending on your location
• Some cities offer 144-hour transit (shorter but easier to qualify)
My South African friend's status:"I check the list every month. South Africa is not there yet. But I got my L visa in 4 weeks, so I'm going anyway. When they add us, I'll celebrate by booking a second trip."
Is your country on the list? When were you added? |
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Posted on 2026-6-7 17:15:40