China Extends Visa-Free Entry for More Than 50 Countries Through the End of 2026

China has extended its unilateral visa-free entry policy through December 31, 2026, allowing eligible travelers from more than 50 countries to enter for stays of up to 30 days without applying for a visa in advance. The policy covers tourism, business, family visits, and short cultural or educational trips.

The list of eligible countries has grown steadily since the policy launched, with the United Kingdom, Canada and Sweden among the more recent additions. Citizens of the United States are not currently included in the unilateral visa-free list and still need to apply for a standard visa.

Beijing says the extended policy is paying off: visa-free entries accounted for more than 72% of all foreign arrivals in the third quarter of 2025, with 7.25 million people entering under the arrangement, a 48% jump from the same period the year before. Officials frame the expansion as central to reviving inbound tourism.

Travelers who qualify can extend their stay beyond 30 days by applying in person at a local Public Security Bureau office in major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou. Airlines flying into China have reported an uptick in short-notice bookings from visa-free-eligible markets since the extension was confirmed.

Sources: Passport Index, The Dragon Trip