China visa free in 2026: the short version
China runs two separate visa-free schemes. The first is a unilateral rule that lets citizens of a list of countries enter for a stay of up to 30 days. The second is a transit rule of up to 240 hours for people who continue to a third country or region. They have different conditions, so do not mix them up.
Citizens of Germany, Austria and Switzerland are on the 30-day list. You need an ordinary passport, and the stay can be for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchange visits or transit. The current FAQ limits this arrangement to 31 December 2026, so a trip after that date needs a fresh check.
This page is an independent summary, not legal advice. Rules change, so check them with the Chinese embassy or consulate responsible for you before you book flights.
The 30-day rule: who, how long and until when
Based on the visa-free FAQ of China's foreign ministry and a consular notice from November 2025.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Length of stay | Up to 30 days |
| Purposes covered | Tourism, business, family and friends, exchange visits, transit |
| Not covered | Work, study and journalism |
| Document | Ordinary passport |
| Germany, Austria, Switzerland | Valid until 31 December 2026 under the current FAQ |
| Russia | Valid until 31 December 2027 |
| Brunei | No end date listed |
| Other listed countries (48) | Valid until 31 December 2026 |
The list in the FAQ names 50 countries. Besides Germany, Austria and Switzerland it includes France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Greece, the Nordic countries, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea. Bilateral agreements are a different category and are not covered here. Do not assume that the scheme continues into 2027.
US citizens are not on this list. A US passport alone does not give you a 30-day tourist entry. US citizens are named in the 240-hour transit rule below, which has its own conditions.
Forbidden City tours and Beijing day trips
Guided visits and tickets for Beijing, with live prices and availability.
Counting the 30 days
Small details that matter at the end of your stay.
The day count
The current FAQ counts the 30 calendar days from the day after you enter. A consular notice from 2025 words it as 30 days from entry. Plan your departure with a day to spare and do not rely on the last night.
Purpose of travel
The exemption covers the purposes listed above. If you plan to work, study or report as a journalist, the visa-free route does not apply.
Passport validity
Carry the ordinary passport you will use for the whole trip. You also need it in Beijing: the Forbidden City is booked in your name with a passport number, and you show the original at the gate. See the ticket guide.
The 240-hour transit rule
For travelers who continue to a third country or region. Status of the notice from 20 August 2026.
Who it is for
The notice lists 57 countries, 65 entry ports and permitted areas in 24 province-level units. An earlier notice from 2025 still named 55 countries, so older articles may show a smaller number. You need an ordinary passport and a confirmed onward ticket with a date and seat to a third country or region.
Third country means a different one
Your onward destination must differ from the place you came from. A trip from Germany to China and back to Germany does not meet the condition. Apply the rule only if your route really continues elsewhere.
Time and area
You may stay up to 10 days (240 hours) inside the permitted areas. The travel document must be valid for at least 3 months, and you need permission to enter your onward destination. The hours count from 00:00 on the day after you arrive. Your actual allowed stay is the one stamped on your permit.
Arriving in Beijing
Beijing Capital and Beijing Daxing airports are on the list of ports. Ask for the transit stay permit at the immigration desk. Showing a flight ticket alone and walking into the city is not enough.
Before you go to the Forbidden City
Your entry status and your ticket are linked through the passport.
Tickets and passport booking
Reserve in your name 7 days ahead at 20:00 Beijing time.
Best time to visit Beijing
Weather by month and the holiday weeks to avoid.
Where to stay
Areas near the palace and how the entrance works.
Opening hours
Closed Mondays and the last entry times by season.
Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and the Great Wall are separate destinations with their own rules. This guide mentions them only briefly.
China visa free: frequently asked questions
Do Germans, Austrians and Swiss need a visa for China?
For stays of up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchange visits or transit, no visa is needed under the current rule. It is set to run to 31 December 2026. Confirm the status with the embassy before you book.
Can US citizens enter China without a visa?
US citizens are not on the 30-day list. They are named in the conditional 240-hour transit rule, which requires an onward ticket to a third country or region.
Does the 30-day rule include work or study?
No. Work, study and journalistic activity are not covered by the exemption.
Can I use the 240-hour rule for a round trip from Germany?
No. The rule needs a different onward destination than the place you came from. A round trip does not meet that condition.
Do I need my passport for the Forbidden City?
Yes. Foreign visitors book with their passport and show the same original at the entrance. There are no regular day tickets without a booking, and the booking opens 7 days ahead.
Where do I check the current rules?
Ask the Chinese embassy or consulate responsible for your country, and check again close to your departure. This page is not legal advice.